Location
	You must defeat Ifrit in the Fire Cavern, at the beginning of the game.

Ifrit
	Elemental: Fire
	Attack: Hellfire
	Level	HP	Atk. Power
	1	305	298
	10	804	607
	20	1366	950
	30	1936	1293
	40	2514	1636
	50	3100	1980
	60	3694	2323
	70	4296	2666
	80	4906	3009
	90	5524	3352
	100	6150	3695

Ability	AP	Opens		Ability	AP	Opens
HP-J	50	None		STR+40%	120	STR Bonus
STR-J	Learned	None		STR Bonus	100	None
ELEM-ATK-J	Learned	None		SUMMAGIC+10%	40	SUMMAGIC+20%
ELEM-DEF-J	100	ELEM-DEFx2		SUMMAGIC+20%	70	SUMMAGIC+30%
ELEM-DEFx2	130	None		SUMMAGIC+30%	140	None
Magic	Learned	None		GFHP+10%	40	GFHP+20%
GF	Learned	None		GFHP+20%	70	GFHP+30%
Draw	Learned	None		GFHP+30%	140	None
Item	Learned	None		Boost	10	None
Mad Rush	60	None		F MAG-RF	30	None
STR+20%	60	STR+40%		Ammo-RF	30	None

Ifrit is a fire-based GF. This makes him ideal for enemies with weakness to fire.
Ifrit is the first GF to offer STR and HP-J. With the STR+, and the STR Bonus, you can create a powerhouse fighter early in the game. My suggestion would be Squall, for his Limit Breaks.
Mad Rush is great for overpowering your enemies, but you cannot control your characters. It is something of a gamble in later fights.
Ifrit has your F MAG-REF, and Ammo-REF. With the Ammo-REF, you can refine ammunition, for Irvine's Limit Breaks.