Awakenings are definitely the costliest but that extra cast is strong. (plus they get other passives like Syncs)
Arcane seem more like a luxury although I guess if you're really close on a particular fight it might be justifiable?


Without a source of Imperil Ice Syldra will severely nerf your damage AND meter gain with NulFrost.
Icebound is preferable for countering Haste although you'd probably want someone other than Tyro carrying it.


Fran and Auron can counter High Stakes with their awakenings.
Rosa's other USB and Glint is actually rather useful here if you can time the blinks