So you've given SMN a role, but...

[SendohJin]

Aside from gameplay reasons, I think the emphasis on the player stems from your character being the WoL. Would be kinda hard to sell you as this big deal... when the actual star of the show is your pet.

that's irrelevant? that's the same thing as saying the star of the show is the Lance for a DRG or the star of the show being the fireball for a BLM. the avatars are part of the arsenal wielded by the character, it doesn't diminish the character.

but i've been of the opinion that Summoning in FF MMOs would work better as trances/stances and not as pets for a long time now. Ifrit Mode cast Inferno, Titan Mode cast Landslide, etc.