Yeah, Claude's right, it has to do with the wheel on the bottom left. You have to match the little circles, with the big circle. I think you need 3, or maybe 4 of them (not really sure). What I did when I really wanted to catch a monster, I waited until the big circle changed to an element which matched the arte that I had, and then I used the arte over and over again. I'm not 100% sure of this, but I think your chance of catching the monster increases if the element is the same element as the monster.

I'm on chapter 6 and made the (late) discovery that the Imp is perfectly setup as a spellcasting monster. The problem is that its TP is pathetic compared to my other monsters.

Anyone know which cooking recipe would moderately raise its TP? If there's no quick solution then I'll have to take it through its "evolution" multiple times to stack the stat carry over.

Also, anyone know what exactly the synch rating for monsters mean? Dos it increase the frequency or power of their synch ability?

Wow it took you 66 hrs to beat it. Man I'm 65 hrs through on Chapter 8 of my second playthrough

Nah I'm doing that right about now considering I'm on Chapter 8.

I am about 6 hours in I think, and so far it is a solid RPG.

Well looks like I might have to do a 3rd run haha. Didn't do everything I needed to complete the entire Balacruf sidequest. Oh well I'm enjoying replaying it anyways haha.

Well as soon as I do the last katz mission to get Twilight Palace I'll do all that.

Currently I'm using the best synthesis sword Emil can have.  Not the best but its getting the job done for now.  I mean they are both almost at lvl 100 so I'm not finding too much difficulty with enemies even in Mania.

I agree.

It's a fine game, otherwise.

great game indeed, enjoyed it form beginning to end with no major gripes...i even found emil as a really complex character and very well handled.

People need to give Emil a break. People don't like him because he's not your stereotypical badass but a more realistic character. Not to mention the dude is pretty fucked up once you figure everything about him. I mean need to give the guy a break haha.