Hey now, what's wrong with Vaan? (I mean sure he could be a bit annoying with his cockiness, but I didn't think him and Penelo were 'useless' in a plot/characterisation sense).
Honestly I kind of wished FFXIV's Rabanastre/Garamsythe maps more closely resembled the 'real deals', but I guess they wouldnt have had room for the boss encounters...

Just to nip some common misconception in the bud, though (and keep this discussion relevant to XIV lore): the Lesalia and Dalmasca of Hydaelyn are not the same as those that appear in Ivalice Alliance. This is a different planet in a different universe with an alternate take on the story of the War of the Lions (so says Matsuno himself).