Summoners from a gameplay perspective

[SuzakuCMX]

There also what to summon. The people of ffxiv aren't exactly worshippers of the eikons, its not certain if there's a way to become one. Instead of starting with the primals themselves, summoners could start with invoking the abilities/form/pet of lesser spirits, setting up a hierarchy of summons that may either involve the primal or become useful based on situation.(A ranged summon, a tank summon, a magic damage summon etc.)

Ifrit told us we have the ability to summon primals, and then your path companion is all "whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat" and then Ifrit is all "DON'T SUMMON OTHER PRIMALS, PROMISE ME OR I WILL BURN YOU RIGHT NOW."