I actually have not been using Dragon Force at all. It doesn't seem to last very long, and the time it takes to cast on everyone is time I could be using to end the fight. Maybe I'll have to rethink that once I take on the Weapons.
Also, and this may reveal me for the terrible cheater I am, but it takes about 30 seconds to master an Enemy Away materia (or any other) if you just do it with Black Chocobo.
My logic is, I have a finite amount of life to live and I know how to get them mastered- all it takes is time, not skill, so I might as well save myself the hassle.
Thanks for the info about paralyze, I completely forgot it was a separate status affliction- it's been a long time since anything hit me with it.
Edit: got past the Typhoon boss finally. It died to a tick of poison. Kinda anticlimactic. Tried the boss for KotR and damn, that thing is annoying. It doesn't have much HP, though, if the poison tick is any judge. I'm betting if I come in with a few good limit breaks and a decent sneak attack summon, I'll take it out.