They're nice to watch. Apparently, many parties won't allow the summoner to keep the summons out to fight (as a summoner should). You'll be bringing them out solely to cast a group enhancement spell, then recalling it. Then they'll have you backup healing. Might as well cut to the chase and be a whm. Just like people have made ninjas a tank, and told red mages not to melee at all, a summoner shouldn't fight with summoned monsters. I'm still considering summoning myself, as well as bardhood or remaining a whm, but I'm pretty sure if I get avatars, they're staying out to fight. If noone complains when the paladin wears armor, or the dragoon calls his wvern, noone should complain when the summoner fights with summoned monsters. I have heard, however, that Fenrir, if you get it, rectifies this whole problem to a degree.