Its way too soon to downplay Sumoners in FFXIV. I was Summoner 75 All Avatars and elements in FFXI. Summoner here is a True Blessing like it or not. No more Mp Tic, no more healer til 70 BS. Strickly damaging foes. I think most that downplayed Summoners are the once that quickly went to 50 an than complained. If I wanted to I could of been 50 last week as well. but I'm more focused on other things like Cross Jobs and DOH jobs, thans I'll get my 34 Summoner/Scholar to 50.

2 things most people don't undetstand. Summoners are masters of DOT and Free Pet as well as Materia. look it up and revaluate your character. Trust me I was getting props as a Arcanist in Dungeons because I know how to play and what DOT to use. Also Food Helps as well as your Gear,

Look up attributes and see what works for you, because Summoner Really have it Going on in the Right Hands.

Attributes.
http://ffxiv.consolegameswiki.com/wiki/Attributes

Materia.
http://ffxiv.consolegameswiki.com/wiki/Materia