SMN Rework/Update Pitch

[AlphaXXI]

(Snipped down both quotes for character limitations.)

So I get what you two are saying, and it's not entirely wrong, but it needs to be both. Whether people like to admit it or not, aesthetics and class identity are a major aspect of the game, and the latter specifically has been missing from SMN since it's addition. DoT mages are fine as their own thing, but it wasn't a "Final Fantasy Summoner", and the changes the last couple xpacs have been taking steps to making it resemble what it should look like within the games current set parameters for classes. Adding the other three summons will give the class a virtually complete/rounded out identity, and from there you start talking about mechanics and how to make it work in a fun and exciting way. Personally I have some ideas like removing Phoenix and Bahamut from the core rotation, and filling their spots with Fenrir and Carbuncle, then moving Bahamut and Phoenix to a more "major summon" position that you earn via job gauge. And then you can add Alex, Odin, etc to that "major summon" list in future xpacs.

I really don't think we can expect there to be so many summons (including Carbucle, those you mentionned add up to 12) unless you completely rework the job again. If all summons change the actions the summoner can use, each with their own unique animations for flair, that need to be adjusted for every race and gender, the amount of work that requires is enormous and it would also be near impossible to balance. Only way this would work is if the player and the summon's actions were completely independent again, or if they massively reused animation, or if all the "big summons" you mention were essentially the same except visually, and that's already an issue with solar bahamut.

It's all really a matter of choosing between more summons or having the ones we currently have do more. And honestly, as much of a fanboy for many summons as I am, it's pretty rounded to have a triad already (think pokémon starters), so adding complexity through those seems more likely to me. I could see other elemental summons being added, up to three, or new upgrades, but we need to have realistic expectations and strive for a balance between cool factor, workload and gameplay.