Is there a historical consensus to how skilled Augustus / Octavian was in military affairs? From what little reading I've done, it's seemed like battles won during the Second Triumvirate were more because of Antony and Octavian. Was he more skilled politically than militarily? Does he come anywhere close to the skill of his (adopted) father?
One misconception you have to throw out is that Octavian, from the beginning to his career to his death, was no general in any way shape or form. Frankly, most, if not all, of his campaigns were literally won by his friend Agrippa, who had a better knowledge of all things military. Octavian knew full well of his shortcomings as a military man and it was for that reason he gave Agrippa full reign of the legions during his campaigns. While Octavian was Caesars heir through his will, Octavian had a far better political acumen rather than his adoptive fathers military genius. Octavian also did not have an extensive military career as was the norm for the roman patrician class.