So, I want to max stats in this game and there are various options. I could level up to level 100 and then Devour enemies (however the enemies would be tougher) or use stat boosters or I could start devouring enemies right away, but that would take longer.
What route would you recommend? Leveling up or not leveling up?

Another thing is: My Squall is level 35, has Ultima junctioned to Strength, also has Strength +60% and Strength +40% equipped so his strength ends up being 255. However he still doesn't do 9999 damage to enemies even when I use Doomtrain or Meltdown to lower their Vitality to zero. He does around 5500 damage. Same thing with all the other characters. So my question is: is level also determinant of how much damage a character can do? Or is it the base stat or both?
This got me a bit confused so if anyone could shed some light on the matter it would very appreciated.

Thanks!

I had this thread in the FFVIII section which may help you, it doesent refer to Devouring but to the Stat Building items, at the bottom of the first page i've posted what you need to get each stat builder, although i don't think i've posted how to get 'some' of the items that make the stat builders. Maybe it will help i dunno..anyway the link is:

http://www.finalfantasyforums.net/final-fantasy-viii/question-about-stat-raising-14096.html

It's a very expensive procedure, probably cost you over 10billion gil..but that sint too hard to get with the method i posted in that same post.

As for the damage, i really don't know about this, i have the same problem..i'm 255 strength and at the times of that thread i was level 72 hitting about 4000, now i'm level 100 and i'm only hitting around the same..well about 5000. Maybe it's not possible to hit 9,999 on a regular hit. Can someone else comment on this?

Hope this helps, if not then i can dig up more info for you . Just let me know

Maybe increasing that Luck stat will help push the damage output to 9999 or increase the chances of achieving these figures?

Did the monster have a purplish aura around it after you've casted? If it doesn't then Meltdown or Doomtrain wasn't successful.