It's not that they can't be badass, it's more that when you design a character with "moe girl" as the base the result won't ever be that far from "moe girl", and I find that a little frustrating. Ultimately I really wish they used a more Highlander esque hyur approach when making the Xaela, because it doesn't make much sense to be afraid of something basically 5'2 max whenever you're over 6' on the battlefield and the second you see their face it's like a "young maiden in love" sorta appearance, it's not something that says "warring nomads", you feel me?