SMN endgame how is it

[Dyvid]

I used to play summoner in Heavensward, on my old account. When I learned that the summoner lost the pets (they're not pets anymore now, just funky graphical effects for DOTs), I didn't even unlock SMN. Found SCH boring enough as is now, that the faeries are just cosmetic perma-HOTs, ARC is completely ruined IMHO.

Here's hoping that they'll one day introduce something like necro, with actual pets.

Ok, what is an actual pet? What are the defining qualities and then how do you transfer those quality into FFXIV's combat system?