I just now noticed the irony of me killing steel in the fight with lightning so my actual characters got more xp. I guess it would be smarter to use bubble to do more dmg to him and get the skill up one cast. Whatever.
you have to have your skills set to on in order for the bar to be of any use. the more damage skills add the more you will do. and its hit or miss you get it in the right spot or not at all.
NOTE TO SELF/OTHERS If you want to keep your save files don't erase it all. =[
I delete all my cashe and stuff every few months and forget how important it is to NOT delete my saved internet flash files. So I am forced to re play the entire series once again. It took me so long to get everyone every skill and unlock everything up to this point too. Oh well.