Why are summoners so neglected?

[LunarEmerald]

The problem with adding more summons is balancing them. They already have enough trouble keeping Ifrit relevant with Garuda around. If they make a new summon that's too good then nobody will use Ifrit or Garuda anymore and if it's not good enough then nobody will use it. In this game, dps is everything. Whichever summon gives the most dps is what everybody will use.

Balance aside, what would another summon even do? We already have a melee, a range and a tank. Garuda's specialty is extending dots and Ifrit can stun. I feel the bases have already been covered. The only thing that comes to mind is having a pet that does nothing but aoe damage like Machinist's Bishop but then that kind of takes away something unique to machinist.

[Inosaska]

We already have a melee, a range and a tank. Garuda's specialty is extending dots

With what I bolded is the exact problem with the pets. They should all be damage pets end of story less issue making balance changes to the pets and remove contagion off Garuda would be a good starting point. Many issues can be solved by changing things on the job. Look at WoW it has made many changes to the classes over the years and the combat system. I don't understand what is so hard about doing it here. Yes it costs resources but that can be fixed by having the changes done at expansion time where there will be a big flow influx of cash. I can't imagine what they're going to do when Beastmaster comes to the table as a new job to be released.