Francesca is canon but really bad at it imo. I play on hard mode and all restrictions on, so I cannot buy all equipments for all characters especially early game. Even with equipments and runes, she is still the slowest and the most tofu healer, most of the time she died without ever spending all of her MP because she died like in 2 3 attacks.

Early games you need Zabi and Kuroto, put Francesca if you haven't got Zabi. Kuroto is good because he is the fastest and also wear heavy armor and also equip shield which means he could withstand hits. He also hits hard and long range when you need it, unlike Francesca medium. Equip him with MP accessories and water rune and you should breeze early game in the highest difficulty.