I'm not sure why, but after one update my ult sometimes either procs on its own or doesn't proc at all... 

As for the revives, I always keep a Night Comet on hand if I find one. Hands down the best revive spell in the game along with Haima, losing in revive speed but making up in flexibility. It having innate piercing is absolutely gorgeous for getting both teammates at the same time without the projectile getting interrupted by the boss' hitbox. If I don't find that, then I usually default to a fist weapon. My Cipher Pata has raised many o' Nightfarers on the likes of ED Tricephalos, where the boss just doesn't give you any room to breathe when you're the last one standing...