1) No, actually. The whole reason I use a slicer is because everybody is either a FF or a techer of some kind and wipes out the enemies while I run up to them, else I can't tag them all in time (my Xbow bullet is at 10 so that might get a bit easier, but machinegun has low range). I'm lagging behind a bit probably because I was focusing on a larger enemy that had to separate itself from the pack. That or some other wacky thing.

2) FiG gets good ATP. Not the best, but still good. Especially on a Cast, since we have best ATA and second best ATP so we dish out quite a good amount of damage.

3) Slicers are useful still, but I like my machinegun a lot more. Especially with SE abilities. You may say "Well then pair one with your slicer!" Well I've found that I get a lot more use out of strafing back and forth as I approach, hitting as much as I can, then use my claw weapon to pummel them.