Any benefit for harvesting Strands?

[Inazuma]

Just killed a big boy without harvesting and still got the strand.

Is it just a way to end the fight faster?

[Suzaku]

Your first kill of a new boss will reward a strand, but subsequent strands will require harvesting to acquire them. Once you've acquired all you need, harvesting is no longer recommended as it yields far fewer materials in the end.

[UltimePatate]

Killing without harvesting provides more ressources

[twitch.tv/Pixel_Manny_69]

The first time you defeat a boss, you get its strand if you don't already have it. Then, you need to harvest them to get the same strand again, which is used to upgrade the strands you already have.

I think there are exceptions though. For example, I killed a fire drake once and didn't get the strand right away. I had to read the codex entry for that particular boss to learn how to harvest it. then I defeated it again via harvesting and got the strand.

however, as I understand it, defeating a boss once will generally yield the strand. harvesting the same boss again will allow you to upgrade that strand.