Why do the Scions seem so incompetent?

[Theodric]

Minfilia suffered as a result of every other Scion being given tasks that really should have been hers to undertake. Some of my favourite characters are those in a non-combat role, so I don't think Minfilia serving as a non-combatant was a mistake. Yet to a degree, she was meant to be a diplomat and a negotiator. Yet we don't see her doing anything along those lines very often and when it does happen it occurs off screen.

At this point, Alphinaud is doing much of what Minfilia should have been doing. I suspect at some point a decision was made to retire Minfilia for the most part and replace her with Alphinaud. He's arguably the main Scion at this point and has enjoyed the most character development. He failed horribly when it came to Ilberd's scheming...but he learned from his mistakes. When Minfilia was kidnapped by Livia - and then again by Nabriales - she didn't really undergo any major changes. There's poetic irony in her effectively being kidnapped for a third time by Hydaelyn to become a vessel...

[MetalSnakeXI1]

Minfilia suffered as a result of every other Scion being given tasks that really should have been hers to undertake. Some of my favourite characters are those in a non-combat role, so I don't think Minfilia serving as a non-combatant was a mistake. Yet to a degree, she was meant to be a diplomat and a negotiator. Yet we don't see her doing anything along those lines very often and when it does happen it occurs off screen.

At this point, Alphinaud is doing much of what Minfilia should have been doing. I suspect at some point a decision was made to retire Minfilia for the most part and replace her with Alphinaud. He's arguably the main Scion at this point and has enjoyed the most character development. He failed horribly when it came to Ilberd's scheming...but he learned from his mistakes. When Minfilia was kidnapped by Livia - and then again by Nabriales - she didn't really undergo any major changes. There's poetic irony in her effectively being kidnapped for a third time by Hydaelyn to become a vessel...

The thing is,we see Alphinaud as he negotiates and as he develops as a character and learn from his mistake with the crystal braves.We don't see much with Minfillia beside her channeling her inner princess Peach and get kidnapped twice.

Again not every character need to be a combatant.Look at Urianger,he doesn't fight(except once against the warriors of darkness), but you feel the effect of his research and studies as you progress whether against the primal threat or the ascian menace.Heck if it wasn't for him taking the risk to team up with Elidibus the Warriors of Darkness dilleema would probably never been resolved