I myself don't hate Cullen; rather, he's probably in my top three favorite non-companion dragon age characters.
But I still don't want him as a companion.
I know Cullen. I've seen Cullen grow and develop over the course of two games. I'd go so far as to say he's had the most character development of any non-companion character in the games.
But I would want the spot that Cullen would take to be given to someone new for me to get to know and learn about.
Not sure why a minor character would gather so much hate. If you're a templar, he's one of the chivalrous templar who doesn't abuse his power and willing to listen to reason seeing as how you can influence his actions in DA2. If you're a mage, he's willing to speak up against Meredith in order to spare the defenseless mages. He's not an extremist in either directions, so I feel like his moderate view is very appreciated.
Even setting aside statements like "mages aren't people" and sympathizing with Ser Alrik, he was second in command of a horribly abusive Circle that beat and raped mages for seven years. Waiting until after the mages are annulled to challenge Meredith is weak. It's possible he'll be redeemed in DA:I and I'll end up liking him, but right now I'm not going to be upset if something happens to him...
Oh yeah, I don't hate Cullen either, I'm just not thrilled with the idea of taking him along in the party considering we already have a repeat character in the party. He's been around since the first game, we know him already, we have had that style of character before so I don't think he could bring anything new to battle. He's a sweet heart, and very middling, nothing special in my book, no mystery.
Even setting aside statements like "mages aren't people" and sympathizing with Ser Alrik, he was second in command of a horribly abusive Circle that beat and raped mages for seven years. Waiting until after the mages are annulled to challenge Meredith is weak. It's possible he'll be redeemed in DA:I and I'll end up liking him, but right now I'm not going to be upset if something happens to him...
What do the abusive templars who beat and rape mages have to do with him? It has to do with templars in general, isn't it? You would hate all templars, not just him. That statement was made after he was tortured and saw his friends killed by mages in front of his eyes. He's still being traumatized by the experience. You seem to also forgot the part where he defended the mage in front of his superior (That is when the templars have the upperhand) and was against the annulment.
What do the abusive templars who beat and rape mages have to do with him? It has to do with templars in general, isn't it? You would hate all templars, not just him. That statement was made after he was tortured and saw his friends killed by mages in front of his eyes. He's still being traumatized by the experience. You seem to also forgot the part where he defended the mage in front of his superior (That is when the templars have the upperhand) and was against the annulment.
I don't hate all templars. 
My problem here is specifically with Cullen. Who was in a high command position and did nothing to improve the situation within the Circle nor did he stand up to Meredith until it was basically pointless.
I don't hate all templars.
Do your boss know when you slack off or steal office supply? Are Anora and Alistair bad ruler for continuing to allow discrimination to continue for the elves in most of the scenarios? The people in higher position may have power over the subordinates but that doesn't mean they can control every templar's actions or know what they do every minute of the day. Considering he's not only have to deal with corrupt templars, he also has to do with blood mages pop up like zits.
I agree with you so far on everything except Vivienne, Varric, and DHMG
Do your boss know when you slack off or steal office supply? Are Anora and Alistair bad ruler for continuing to allow discrimination to continue for the elves in most of the scenarios? The people in higher position may have power over the subordinates but that doesn't mean they can control every templar's actions or know what they do every minute of the day. Considering he's not only have to deal with corrupt templars, he also has to do with blood mages pop up like zits.
The abuses going on in the Circle were hardly a secret; when you have many templars in the Circle actively trying to rebel against Meredith and the general population of Kirkwall disgusted with the templars, there's no way the top command isn't aware of the problems. The Anora and Alistair comparison isn't accurate because they can't fully control the social and political situation, HOWEVER, they can try to do something, which is more than Cullen seems to do. He spends the game until the end being an apologist for Meredith and extreme templar viewpoints.
Ooh, stars!
Sera: ****
Solas: *
Beardy: *****
DHMG: *****
Varric: ****
Cassandra: ***
Vivienne: ***
Iron Bull: *****
The abuses going on in the Circle were hardly a secret; when you have many templars in the Circle actively trying to rebel against Meredith and the general population of Kirkwall disgusted with the templars, there's no way the top command isn't aware of the problems. The Anora and Alistair comparison isn't accurate because they can't fully control the social and political situation, HOWEVER, they can try to do something, which is more than Cullen seems to do. He spends the game until the end being an apologist for Meredith and extreme templar viewpoints.
Considering the situation, it would be demoralizing for him to targeting the templars. They would go against him and break the unity of the group. In a troop situation, soldiers cover for each other very often. Maybe he could have done something, but it was not the goal the Kirkwall Order was after atm. The templars would just become more secretive from him and would be harder to keep tabs. If you're ever been in a military situation, you would know that it's easier said than done. Some of the douchebags in the military can get away with a lot of things because they get covered up by fellow soldiers or even the higher up. Justice is not always easy to administer in these situations.
Oh yeah, I don't hate Cullen either, I'm just not thrilled with the idea of taking him along in the party considering we already have a repeat character in the party. He's been around since the first game, we know him already, we have had that style of character before so I don't think he could bring anything new to battle. He's a sweet heart, and very middling, nothing special in my book, no mystery.
I actually think there is plenty new he can bring to the battle and plenty of mystery. If he is part of the Inquisition than he left the Templars after what happened at the end of DA2 so that means he lost faith in their methods. His views on mages may be changing and stuff so I think thats a lot of new mystery to bring to the battle. However, I think he is going to be apart of the inquisition and a LI, but not a companion if I had to guess.
Considering the situation, it would be demoralizing for him to targeting the templars. They would go against him and break the unity of the group. In a troop situation, soldiers cover for each other very often. Maybe he could have done something, but it was not the goal the Kirkwall Order was after atm. The templars would just become more secretive from him and would be harder to keep tabs. If you're ever been in a military situation, you would know that it's easier said than done. Some of the douchebags in the military can get away with a lot of things because they get covered up by fellow soldiers or even the higher up. Justice is not always easy to administer in these situations.
It isn't right to cover up things like rape and abuse in a real life military situation either. And considering it's part of the templars' job to protect the mages, it's that much worse. Look, there's nothing wrong with liking a problematic character, most of the characters in Dragon Age are problematic in one way or another. But what someone is able to stomach from one character to the next is going to be different. You asked why some people might dislike Cullen, and I've answered you.
I actually think there is plenty new he can bring to the battle and plenty of mystery. If he is part of the Inquisition than he left the Templars after what happened at the end of DA2 so that means he lost faith in their methods. His views on mages may be changing and stuff so I think thats a lot of new mystery to bring to the battle. However, I think he is going to be apart of the inquisition and a LI, but not a companion if I had to guess.
I think he's always had that soft spot for the mages, as shown in his crush for the female mage story and if I may use Eva from Asunder as an example of comparison I pictured him joining the templars for the same reason she did. One of the good templars who joined out of the honors and stuff.
But yeah I think he'll be a noncompanion LI too, I just get a touch bit worried that he may be a companion and that chance he could become one. I just have to remind myself that maybe he's going to be a 'military advisory' like how Lilianna seems to be a 'spy/bard advisory' and scribe may be 'trade advisory' considering the three versions of how you build your Inquisition. That's fine with me, still a close character but not one that takes up one of the party slots.
It isn't right to cover up things like rape and abuse in a real life military situation either. And considering it's part of the templars' job to protect the mages, it's that much worse. Look, there's nothing wrong with liking a problematic character, most of the characters in Dragon Age are problematic in one way or another. But what someone is able to stomach from one character to the next is going to be different. You asked why some people might dislike Cullen, and I've answered you.
I don't have any problem with you disliking him. We just have a civilized discussion, isn't it? I'm just saying that just because someone is in the command of power, it doesn't mean he can do or know everything, especially if there's cover-up or some kinds of "bro-code" among the templars. There are things I don't think Cullen is good, but I just disagree with him able to control the actions of every corrupt templars. It's complicated in real life and it's complicated in the game.
I don't hate Cullen. I just don't think his personal struggles are as interesting as what characters like the warden and Cole could add to the world lore. I don't think his perspective and experiences are unique or different enough for me to be excited about him as a companion. We already have Cassandra and Vivienne covering the Chantry/Circle issue. That's enough, for me. I want characters representing other factions and ideas in Thedas.
Well I cant judge them yet since I havent played the game but appearance-wise, so far, they havent met my expectations. However they might still change and not all characters have been announced yet so I have my hope.
Based on what we know so far, I'll give my first impressions, which I'm totally cool with changing when I meet them
Varric: My main bro from DA2, loved his banter, excited for him to come back.
Cass: I absolutely adored her in DA2 and think she's a total badass. Very excited to have her on the team.
Vivienne: Her stance on mages aside, I think she looks absolutely stunning, and her outfits look absolutely amazing.
Sera: Based on what I heard from the survey thing, if she really is a brat in game, then she will be warming a spot on the bench.
Solas: Dem' thighs. Nuff said.
Iron Bull: I swear to god, he looks freakin' hot, and I love that he's different from our stereotypical Qunari.
Grey Warden: Lord have mercy, he better be a romance, cause I think he'd be perfect for my character. He looks like a badass and can't wait to hear his story.
Dorian (aka DMHG): Based on some recent art done by fans, I'm excited and hope that he is a Tevinter magister, cause I'd love to see such a character. Plus, he looks pretty hot with that mustache, not gonna lie. Hopefully he can be the second mage of my party, along with myself.
So far so good. Can't see a reason to dislike any of them right now and they all seem interesting enough.
Of course, I said the same thing about DA2 companions and ended up hating most of them so I'll play and then decide.
Oh yeah, I don't hate Cullen either, I'm just not thrilled with the idea of taking him along in the party considering we already have a repeat character in the party. He's been around since the first game, we know him already, we have had that style of character before so I don't think he could bring anything new to battle. He's a sweet heart, and very middling, nothing special in my book, no mystery.
WAAAAAAAAT?
WAAAAAAAAT?
From what I remember of him, he's just nice to the player. I seriously can barely remember him, but I remember him being really unoffensive and my friend really adores him because he's sweet. Unless there's some background about him that I completely missed, all I know him as nice. That was it.
I need to find all the cutscenes that involve him somewhere on the youtubes, so I can understand him a bit better. But I still stand by what I said until proven otherwise.
Of course, these opinions are all subject to change. I'm open to being surprised.
Varric: I used to love him. For a while I took him everywhere in DA2 on the grounds that he couldn't tell the story accurately if he wasn't in the party. During my last couple playthroughs of DA2 I've switched my party up and benched Varric unless he was required. From this I've found that I don't miss him at all and am slightly disappointed he's taking a slot in DA:I. For my first few playthroughs of Inquisition, Varric will again be benched unless required.
Cassandra: No super strong opinions. One of my Inquisitors will be romancing her, though.
Vivienne: Love her personality and can't wait to meet her. Not sure she'll be a permanent fixture in my party, but I think I'll use her frequently. I'm more or less pro-mage, but the Circles could use some amendment. Wonder what Vivienne will think about that.
Solas: I'm sorry for being so shallow, but he looks terrible. Wish he had a ponytail or something. But if I'm dealing with elves, I'll take him and Sera for the commentary.
Sera: Hoping for a neutral rogue type. Since party members are apparently very important, I wonder what she offers. Probably going to be in my party a lot. Frequent humor would be great if not heavy handed.
Grey Warden: BAMF. Hope his storyline isn't centered on his swiftly approaching Calling.
Cullen: Trying to keep an open mind. Found him bland in previous games, regardless of what he experienced.
DHMG: My most looked forward to companion, though this view is colored by fan speculation. I really hope he's Dorian and that the dandy personality fans have made for him is accurate. If so, I expect him to be in my party at all times. Would romance in a second.
Iron Bull: "Eh," about sums it up, but I'm glad we have a Qunari in our party again.
Cole: Would only recruit for science. Otherwise, I'm telling him to go away or avoiding his recruitment altogether.
Stars? I want to give stars too 
Cassandra: ****
Iron Bull: **
Beardy: *
Cullen: *****
Varric: ***
Sera: ***
Vivienne: **
Solas: **
DHMG: ****
Why do people keep assuming Cullen has left the Templars? Is there something about the Inquisition I don't know? Cassandra hasn't left the Seekers. The Iron Bull I'm assuming didn't join the Chantry. Why does Cullen have to be disconnected from the Templars to join the Inquisition?
Why do people keep assuming Cullen has left the Templars? Is there something about the Inquisition I don't know? Cassandra hasn't left the Seekers. The Iron Bull I'm assuming didn't join the Chantry. Why does Cullen have to be disconnected from the Templars to join the Inquisition?
Maybe people are assuming that red templars take over templar order and Cullen would get out cause he doesn't want to be red templar. But I think that Cullen will stay with templars and that there will be more traditional group of templars who oppose red templars and he's part of those. Though both of these are just speculation, I don't think it's clear how templars exactly are in DAI, like it's clear that there is red templars but how big portion of templars are reds is unclear.
To be honest, I don't understand how Cassandra can be a seeker or Cullen can be a templar and be a part of the Inquisition. Supposedly, the Inquisition is an unbiased organization that's meant to oppose these groups if they find corruption in them. How could you be a part of the Inquisition and also a seeker or templar? It doesn't make sense to me.
But it goes to question, who even are the seekers and the templars now? The ones that rebelled? The ones that remained with the Chantry? The ones corrupted by red lyrium?
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