We would have still had that part, its not like Basch wasn't in the party at the time.

Really, when you start to look at his whole backstory it seems to me the game left it all to him from when they were planning to be the main character. He abandons his home as it was conquered by the Empire, joins Dalmasca's knights and rises to the rank of Captain, fails to protect his future king and is betrayed by his brother and framed for the murder of his liege where he is imprisoned in a dark cell for several years while the world moves on. He is set free by a street orphan and a sky pirate and now has the chance to save the princess and Dalmasca while battling the empire that stole everything from him.

This scenario is pretty much on par with Cecil, Terra, and Cloud's storylines.

Its a pretty good story that could have easily carried the game. I feel if Basch had been the lead, the story may have been darker and probably closer to Tactics and Vagrant Story in terms of grimness and complexity.

Also, people who feel Ashe served no point in the plot seriously didn't pay attention to XII's story. Its like saying X's story wouldn't change without Yuna.