I can understand your feeling of not wanting to be DoT class. SMN in ffxiv arr is nothing like SMN from ffxi online so if you are used to the old SMN then yes that's a huge change on gameplay. I don't think SE is going to rework the class that way, the most they will do is tweak some actions. Personally, I prefer the old SMN. But this is a different game.
On the side note, I really do want Beastmaster but I don't think it's going to work well in this game considering mobs are weak. It's not like the old game where you need party to get exp or do a beastmaster or do ninja/redmage or dragoon/whitemage to solo. Beastmaster was the best for solo leveling and the most fun for me due to adrenaline rush I get and the fact that it requires focus. And I am talking about ffxi online before they water it down to compete it with world of warcraft.