Would be awesome if our minions could be more than just vanity (and some SO CUTE) in-game. Not the easy-to-get ones necessarily, but those that are really hard-to-get.

Like if you have this-or-that minion out you get a (small!) bonus to a specific stat. Let's say a fire-based minion gives you a small boost to fire resistance, or e.g. the (hard to craft) iron dwarf increases craftsmanship and/or control by a small factor. Our minions actually helping us doing stuff in the world, expressed in such a bonus

And for those who are particular to one specific minion maybe even some kind of "glamour" so I can have my pet turtle out but get the bonus from my iron dwarf...