Why are summoners so neglected?

[Jerbob]

You can't really ignore that the combat differences between the two games is like night and day. What works in XI won't work the same way here, the amount of work SE would need to put it into it and we all know what their response has been like when it doesn't involve new jobs, so do you honestly believe deep down that they would completely rebuild an already in-game established job from the ground up just to make you and a few select others happy?

I can completely understand tweaks and minor/modest reworks, but the things some of you are asking just isn't going to happen based on SE's own response to it all and their track record in the past.

Like tell me right now, do you honestly believe such a change a dramatic shift could happen from SE in XIV?

You're right, certainly - directly importing XI's SMN into XIV would be an unmitigated disaster. As you say, the combat differences are night and day. It's more of a conceptual comparison that I'm trying to make. If I'm not making that clear then that's entirely my fault.

When people bring up a pet-focused SMN for XIV, there's always someone who turns to XI and says "Well, SMN in XI was terrible, and that was a pet-focused job, so all pet-focused jobs must be terrible". That's the kind of thinking I'm desperately trying to show as being false. SMN in XI isn't terrible any longer because the developers are actually supporting it now - the design of a pet-focused job is solid. I am probably going somewhat overboard in XI SMN's defence, but that's because I'm very attached to the job. Seeing people spread falsehoods about how awful it is makes me very frustrated, particularly when they're using these out of date references to argue against something I think could be really great.

I'm sorry if I'm giving the impression that I want SE to remove the current XIV SMN and replace it with something more to my liking. I recognise and fully support everyone that enjoys XIV's SMN as it is - it's a good job that has a well-developed aesthetic and distinct battle style. I personally don't like some of the choices that they've made (eg. the books - I just can't tolerate them), but as jobs go it's perfectly fine. The only thing I object to is the Summoner label.

IF (and I agree with you, it's a big "IF") SE decided to create a different kind of summoner, then I would be just as outraged as anyone else if they replaced the existing job that people clearly love. It'd have to be something new entirely. My personal preference is to take the existing XIV SMN and rebrand it as Arcanist from 1-60, but there are numerous other options.

Ultimately I know what I'm asking for is very unlikely to happen, but I'm trying to be optimistic. These forums are intended to be a place for discussion, and I'm expressing what my views and desires are. I don't want to give up on something I think I'd really enjoy just because it's unlikely. Judging by what a lot of other people are saying about SMN, they seem to feel similarly.

No it doesn't. When I have to cast contagion 5-6 times before it actually works. When I can't cast rouse etc...

I'm actually talking about XI's SMN. Apologies for the confusion. I completely agree that XIV's SMN needs to be far more responsive.