To be honest, they could have just gave SMN pets the SCH pet Treatment.
Make them more responsive, and keep Bahamut/phoenix stationary.
i am so happy that DWT augments our basic spells now, that's cool,
I miss the old phoenix 1-2 combo, heaven forbid a caster other than RDM has one.
why did they take away firebird trance from 72? now we suddenly summon phoenix at 80.

Old SMN not only had buildup in its rotation but spells acquisition as well.

the only build-up we get in any form in new SMN is 1-58 where we get egis and DWT. then nothing really till 70/80/86/90* other than our filler becomes elemental.

even our rotation there isn't anything to build up anymore. we just do. the gauge is just a timer that changes color.

BUT I will admit new smn is nice for I can use SpS on it. which makes it feel nice.. and once relics come I may delete Ruin III from the rotation.

But I agree with other, I don't feel like a SMN anymore. commanding my creations. More of an envoker now.. like FFXVI