Man, what's with all the Cullen hate? I get it if you don't like templars or are sick of his fanbase, but I think his qualifications are pretty incontrovertible. Who else would you have step up as High General?
I don't understand it either. People are touchy.
Man, what's with all the Cullen hate? I get it if you don't like templars or are sick of his fanbase, but I think his qualifications are pretty incontrovertible. Who else would you have step up as High General?
Blackwall, Loghain, the Warden, Hawke (the latter two are, of course, unlikely, but they are more fitting, IMO). Hell, virtually anyone with some actual military experience.
That Cullen guy of yours has no experience, and his training is honed to fight mages. The only kind of (yes, kind of, because it still hardly counts) military experience he had is restoring order in Kirkwall, and, even then, he just ordered the remaining Templars to act as a police force. Well, if there is a police department in the Inquisition, I'll gladly put Cullen in charge, just so he can be away from my sight, and leave his high-ranking position to someone much more fitting.
I'll be going for Cullen, as I'm pro-Templar. Probably Leliana too, spies are useful.
Blackwall, Loghain, the Warden, Hawke (the latter two are, of course, unlikely, but they are more fitting, IMO). Hell, virtually anyone with some actual military experience.
The Warden and Hawke have 0 qualifications. They are awesome at murder and sort-of-but-not-really lead a 4 person fireteam. Cullen is definetly more qualified than the two of them. Loghain is the only one on the list who in theory has the resume.
There haven't been any major wars in Thedas anyone's had to fight beside Loghain, and then the mage templar war. To the extent Cullen did anything about that, he's the only one with any real military resume.
But frankly very few people in Thedas have any military wherewithal, since there are no professional armies in the setting. As long as Cullen's reads books about tactics and logistics, he's as good a choice as anyone.
The Warden and Hawke have 0 qualifications. They are awesome at murder and sort-of-but-not-really lead a 4 person fireteam. Cullen is definetly more qualified than the two of them. Loghain is the only one on the list who in theory has the resume.
There haven't been any major wars in Thedas anyone's had to fight beside Loghain, and then the mage templar war. To the extent Cullen did anything about that, he's the only one with any real military resume.
But frankly very few people in Thedas have any military wherewithal, since there are no professional armies in the setting. As long as Cullen's reads books about tactics and logistics, he's as good a choice as anyone.
Yeah, and the guy who fought one "battle" is, of course, much more qualified. Also, ignoring Blackwall, eh?
Umm, was the darkspawn invasion a holiday picnic? Funny enough, I thought it was some sort of war. And Cullen, with his participation in the Kirkwall's Circle annulment, has little to no real military resume. Mages he fought may have been good in their wizardry, but I doubt they were peerless strategists, against whom clever tactics or good maneuvers had to be used. So, no, I disagree about him having military resume that somehow tops any of the aforementioned people.
Theory is good, but experience matters just as much. He may be as good as anyone if he reads theory, but if someone with experience does that, it will be even better.
Umm, was the darkspawn invasion a holiday picnic? Funny enough, I thought it was some sort of war. And Cullen, with his participation in the Kirkwall's Circle annulment, has little to no real military resume. Mages he fought may have been good in their wizardry, but I doubt they were peerless strategists, against whom clever tactics or good maneuvers had to be used. So, no, I disagree about him having military resume that somehow tops any of the aforementioned people.
Theory is good, but experience matters just as much. He may be as good as anyone if he reads theory, but if someone with experience does that, it will be even better.
There was no darkspawn invasion that the Warden fought in. Your resume includes:
1) Leading a team of 3 people into the Tower of Ishal.
2) Leading a team of 3 people across Ferelden on diplomatic missions to get an army.
3) Becoming a commander-in-name only of said army, having zero input in a) where it goes, 
how it is structured, c) what tactics it uses, d) what foes it fights, e) where it fights those foes.
4) Becoming a commander-in-name only of Vigil's Keep, again not actually doing anything to lead troops, control logistics, or form strategies.
And Hakwe is just straight up a mercenary.
Cullen's resume isn't smacking down some mages - though presumably he learned a lot about logistics doing it, which matters a lot to an army. No, he's qualified because the candidate pool is garbage.
There was no darkspawn invasion that the Warden fought in. Your resume includes:
1) Leading a team of 3 people into the Tower of Ishal.
2) Leading a team of 3 people across Ferelden on diplomatic missions to get an army.
3) Becoming a commander-in-name only of said army, having zero input in a) where it goes,
4) Becoming a commander-in-name only of Vigil's Keep, again not actually doing anything to lead troops, control logistics, or form strategies.
And Hakwe is just straight up a mercenary.
Cullen's resume isn't smacking down some mages - though presumably he learned a lot about logistics doing it, which matters a lot to an army. No, he's qualified because the candidate pool is garbage.
Ah, well. There was no darkspawn invasion that the Warden fought in, and, I assume, no Blight. DA:O storyline is a lie.
I actually agree about Hawke, so I won't argue with that. Let's, however, take a look at Cullen's resume throughout the series.
1). Fought against demons in the Circle Tower, his comrades have perished and he got captured into a force field.
2). Ignoring him getting retconned just so he could be in DA2, he hunted down possessed Templar Apprentices and stood around lolly-gagging.
3). And, yes, it is about smacking down some mages - the only piece of action he ever saw that was even remotely close to a battle was fighting mages in Kirkwall. And, "presumably" is not a trustworthy adverb. A lot can be presumed, and I'm yet to see if he did become a competent commander, rather than a guy in a metal suit.
And, no, he's not qualified because the pool is garbage. The pool may be garbage, but he's hardly any better.
P.S: Yet again, ignoring Blackwall, eh?
Yeah, and the guy who fought one "battle" is, of course, much more qualified. Also, ignoring Blackwall, eh?
Umm, was the darkspawn invasion a holiday picnic? Funny enough, I thought it was some sort of war. And Cullen, with his participation in the Kirkwall's Circle annulment, has little to no real military resume. Mages he fought may have been good in their wizardry, but I doubt they were peerless strategists, against whom clever tactics or good maneuvers had to be used. So, no, I disagree about him having military resume that somehow tops any of the aforementioned people.
Theory is good, but experience matters just as much. He may be as good as anyone if he reads theory, but if someone with experience does that, it will be even better.
Wasn't Cullen participating in the Mage/Templar as a commander before he eventually joined the Inquisition? Three years of actual warfare experience and possibly decades of military training from the Order has to count for something, especially for an organization that's initially going to be desperate for aid.
Also, don't discount Cullen's military ability when we haven't even played the game yet. For all we know he's a natural tactically genius that could make Darth Revan run for his money.
But...but if Blackwall gets made military advisor, we don't get to have him with us in the group. 
I'd much rather have him running around with us in Thedas than warming a bench in Skyhold.
Wasn't Cullen participating in the Mage/Templar as a commander before he eventually joined the Inquisition? Three years of actual warfare experience and possibly decades of military training from the Order has to count for something, especially for an organization that's initially going to be desperate for aid.
Also, don't discount Cullen's military ability when we haven't even played the game yet. For all we know he's a natural tactically genius that could make Darth Revan run for his money.
I'm yet to see that. Since I'm basing my conclusions on what we can see in first two games, I'm not impressed. If he was, indeed, a good commander throughout the Mage-Templar War, then fine. He may prove to be useful, after all.
I'd rather not have him in game at all. His life cycle in-game was supposed to be over in Origins, back when he was just a minor NPC. But, no, he had to become a Knight-Captain (!) of Templars in Kirkwall, second most important person after Meredith herself. And, mind you, my first playthrough was continued from my Magi Origin save, where Cullen goes crazy (!!) and kills two apprentices (!!!) before running into the unknown. But, no, that had to be retconned.
Ah, well. There was no darkspawn invasion that the Warden fought in, and, I assume, no Blight. DA:O storyline is a lie.
I actually agree about Hawke, so I won't argue with that. Let's, however, take a look at Cullen's resume throughout the series.
1). Fought against demons in the Circle Tower, his comrades have perished and he got captured into a force field.
2). Ignoring him getting retconned just so he could be in DA2, he hunted down possessed Templar Apprentices and stood around lolly-gagging.
3). And, yes, it is about smacking down some mages - the only piece of action he ever saw that was even remotely close to a battle was fighting mages in Kirkwall. And, "presumably" is not a trustworthy adverb. A lot can be presumed, and I'm yet to see if he did become a competent commander, rather than a guy in a metal suit.
And, no, he's not qualified because the pool is garbage. The pool may be garbage, but he's hardly any better.
P.S: Yet again, ignoring Blackwall, eh?
I'm not ignoring Blackwall. I have avoided companion spoilers like the plague, so I don't know a thing about him other than he's a GW.
In terms of the Warden, none of the things you're saying have anything to do with being a military commander. The darkspawn attacked Thedas, but the Warden wasn't there for any pitched engagement with them except (1) Ostagar, where the Warden didn't do anything useful or lead anyone or even was involved in the military planning and (2) Denerim, where Arl Eamon made all of the decisions with Riordan and you didn't lead anything.
As for the point about the talent pool, you're not getting it. When all the candidates are ****, a **** candidate is as qualified as it gets.
Man, what's with all the Cullen hate? I get it if you don't like templars or are sick of his fanbase, but I think his qualifications are pretty incontrovertible. Who else would you have step up as High General?
Aveline would probably be my top pick.
Despite being an outsider, she managed to join the Kirkwall guard, expose the corruption and take out it's ring leader, get promoted to Guard-Captain, reorganize the entire Guard to actually become a force within Kirkwall (not to the extent of the Templars, but they were an established organization which wasn't going anywhere), and earn the respect of everyone in Kirkwall. She also managed to quash any accusations of incompetence brought towards her by outside parties, which included Cullen (albeit with some help from Hawke).
So with all that, Aveline proves that she is
1) an inspiring leader who motivates others
2) adept at training up an incompetent group into an elite fighting force
3) Capable of not only managing a large number of people, but taking the organization and making more out of it than what it was
4) Willing to stand up in the face of other parties (Templars, Mages)
Now, granted, I can perfectly understand why she isn't in DA:I. She's made a life in Kirkwall and she potentially has a husband there. Doesn't change my opinion that she is vastly more qualified than Cullen, who has not even come close to showing the ability to lead an organization like she has
Aveline would probably be my top pick.
Despite being an outsider, she managed to join the Kirkwall guard, expose the corruption and take out it's ring leader, get promoted to Guard-Captain, reorganize the entire Guard to actually become a force within Kirkwall (not to the extent of the Templars, but they were an established organization which wasn't going anywhere), and earn the respect of everyone in Kirkwall. She also managed to quash any accusations of incompetence brought towards her by outside parties, which included Cullen (albeit with some help from Hawke).
So with all that, Aveline proves that she is
1) an inspiring leader who motivates others
2) adept at training up an incompetent group and into an elite fighting force
3) Capable of not only managing a large number of people, but taking the organization and making more out of it than what it was
4) Willing to stand up in the face of other parties (Templars, Mages)
Now, granted, I can perfectly understand why she isn't in DA:I. She's made a life in Kirkwall and she potentially has a husband there. Doesn't change my opinion that she is vastly more qualified than Cullen, who has not even come close to showing the ability to lead an organization like she has
I think Aveline is absolutely terrible at her job. And a hypocrite. But I know I'm in the minority in that regard.
I'm not ignoring Blackwall. I have avoided companion spoilers like the plague, so I don't know a thing about him other than he's a GW.
In terms of the Warden, none of the things you're saying have anything to do with being a military commander. The darkspawn attacked Thedas, but the Warden wasn't there for any pitched engagement with them except (1) Ostagar, where the Warden didn't do anything useful or lead anyone or even was involved in the military planning and (2) Denerim, where Arl Eamon made all of the decisions with Riordan and you didn't lead anything.
As for the point about the talent pool, you're not getting it. When all the candidates are ****, a **** candidate is as qualified as it gets.
Okay, getting Blackwall out of the way, then.
Very well, I agree with the Warden not actually being the strategist/tactician who decided any course of action. The Warden still has more military (yes, military, not strategic, tactical, or some other kind, but simple military) experience than Cullen. You can keep on arguing that the Warden does not, and, frankly, go ahead. I'll stand by my own opinion.
I'm getting it just fine, thank you very much. I may have misinterpreted it, but don't assume I don't get it.
Very well, I agree with the Warden not actually being the strategist/tactician who decided any course of action. The Warden still has more military (yes, military, not strategic, tactical, or some other kind, but simple military) experience than Cullen. You can keep on arguing that the Warden does not, and, frankly, go ahead. I'll stand by my own opinion.
I'm getting it just fine, thank you very much. I may have misinterpreted it, but don't assume I don't get it.
Leading a fire team doesn't make you qualified to lead a military. That's why Hawke isn't qualified.
Would you suggest that, say, modern day generals who haven't seen combat are unqualified to lead troops just because of that fact?
Aveline would probably be my top pick.
Despite being an outsider, she managed to join the Kirkwall guard, expose the corruption and take out it's ring leader, get promoted to Guard-Captain, reorganize the entire Guard to actually become a force within Kirkwall (not to the extent of the Templars, but they were an established organization which wasn't going anywhere), and earn the respect of everyone in Kirkwall. She also managed to quash any accusations of incompetence brought towards her by outside parties, which included Cullen (albeit with some help from Hawke).
So with all that, Aveline proves that she is
1) an inspiring leader who motivates others
2) adept at training up an incompetent group into an elite fighting force
3) Capable of not only managing a large number of people, but taking the organization and making more out of it than what it was
4) Willing to stand up in the face of other parties (Templars, Mages)
Now, granted, I can perfectly understand why she isn't in DA:I. She's made a life in Kirkwall and she potentially has a husband there. Doesn't change my opinion that she is vastly more qualified than Cullen, who has not even come close to showing the ability to lead an organization like she has
There's no way I would accept her as military advisor... she's far too biased and insubordinate, and she contradicts herself many times during DA2. IMO she was one of the better DA2 companions, but I'd rather not have to deal with her again...
edit: accidentlaly quoted the wrong person here...
Do we know to what extent Cullen played a role during the Qunari invasion of Kirkwall? Been a while since I played DA2, and I don't recall seeing him in the fighting, but presumably as an officer in the Templars, he had some role to play.
Also, given Meredith was, apparently, spending her time listening to the whispers of an insane piece of glowing red metal, I wouldn't discount the possibility that Cullen was the one running the Templars during the years up to the destruction of the Chantry. He's the only Templar of rank or note who wasn't obviously insane or plotting to overthrow Meredith. Of course, commanding the Templars in "peace time", even such as that is in Kirkwall, is quite different to commanding a war time force...but there are probably political reasons for his appointment in addition to whatever military action he has taken part in since DA2.
I mean, if you're going to have a First Enchanter, then a Templar to balance them out and broaden the Inquisition's appeal seems like a reasonable compromise.
Depending on the advise you get from the advisers it may alter your stance. For instance, a warrior--especially Qunari--could, in theory, have a lot more experience than Cullen and might not take his advice so readily. Or if it's sound may lay more weight to it. Since my Dalish mage would have been a Keeper's First--or in training to be so--she would be more one to think wisely and cautiously as to who's advice she'd follow. They're all shems, so she would take some getting used to all of them, and she would take anything they said with a handful of salt. *Edit* Josephine might get more of an ear being as she would usually solve things with words vs violence.
I suppose if you really despise one adviser over another you can just relegate them to a corner of the keep and never talk to them, except during counsels and even then dismiss their opinions without trying them, but to me that seems a waste of resources your Inquisitor could make use of, not to mention wasting a significant amount of resources put into making an enjoyable game.
Leading a fire team doesn't make you qualified to lead a military. That's why Hawke isn't qualified.
Would you suggest that, say, modern day generals who haven't seen combat are unqualified to lead troops just because of that fact?
I'm not arguing about Hawke. And, frankly, not arguing about the former, either.
To an extent, they are. But, that's just my opinion. Of course, an unexperienced general can happen to be way more skilled and able than a general with hundreds of battles behind him, but that is rare.
The last time we saw him Cullen was a knight captain of the Templar Order that right there makes him more qualified to organise and lead the Inquisition troops than any of the DA protagonists. Loghain would have more experience but they can't bring back two advisors from the dead because that's just tacky and Blackwall other than still being a huge question mark at this point is a companion not an advisor.
Hate Cullen all you want I don't care but he does have a background in leading a military order.
Man, what's with all the Cullen hate? I get it if you don't like templars or are sick of his fanbase, but I think his qualifications are pretty incontrovertible. Who else would you have step up as High General?
Aveline >>> Cullen.
Aveline job. Actually fought in real war. Leader of city guards. I have no doubt she is qualified leading real army by now.
Cullen job fighting mages. Finding them and returning them to tower. Guarding mages from demons, and he failed it.
I don't like Cullen from DA:O and in DA2 he even worse. And Cullen hate mages so I would never have him in my Inquisition, but Maker don't care so we stuck with him. I would rather have drunk Isabela leading my army than Cullen.
I'm not arguing about Hawke. And, frankly, not arguing about the former, either.
To an extent, they are. But, that's just my opinion. Of course, an unexperienced general can happen to be way more skilled and able than a general with hundreds of battles behind him, but that is rare.
Then the only people who have any experience worth anything are people who are veterans of some major military campaign, which as far as I know is basically the Orlais v. Ferelden showdown. So basically Loghain, except he can't be in because he's killable.
There's no way I would accept her as military advisor... she's far too biased and insubordinate, and she contradicts herself many times during DA2. IMO she was one of the better DA2 companions, but I'd rather not have to deal with her again...
edit: accidentlaly quoted the wrong person here...
And Cullen isn't biased? I don't think it matters where you look, you're going to find a biased person in some regard. Loghain hated Orlesians, Cullen hated Mages for the longest time, and probably still holds resentment towards them.
As to her contradicting herself...how so? I'm just starting a new playthrough of DA2 after a loooong break so I could have forgotten, but I can't recall her ever outright contradicting herself.
I'd rather not have him in game at all. His life cycle in-game was supposed to be over in Origins, back when he was just a minor NPC.
As to her contradicting herself...how so? I'm just starting a new playthrough of DA2 after a loooong break so I could have forgotten, but I can't recall her ever outright contradicting herself.
Aside from her willingly harboring criminals despite her big law and order speech, and actively helping out her best buddy Hawke commit crimes and/or shielding Hawke from the law when in the rivalry path, there's how she actually coddles and insulates the guards.
For example, during the Magistrate's Orders quest, Aveline is all about the rough justice. She wants you to execute Kelder. When it comes to the two elves who killed the rapist-guard, she's all "oh noes, justice and laws, they must stand trial!". When her guardsman betrays the guard and sells out the qunari... his penalty is a really terrible shift work. She doesn't even dock his pay.
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