There were two people who helped me become a SMN. Both were level 75 SMNs as their main jobs. Having asked them both about the main healing deal, they both said that they've never had a problem getting parties or forming parties that let them play their job the way they wanted. Which was backup healing and doing the whole BP, melee, deal. From my own experience, I only act as main heal about 20% and even in those cases, no one tells me, "Don't bring out your Avatars."

So all this talk about what the COMMUNITY thinks and what the COMMUNITY says SMNs can and can't do is silly. Because I'm part of the FFXI community and I can't say that I've experienced this whole pidgeonholing deal to the extend you guys talk about.

From my experience as a Summoner, I've had a great time. Casting BPs, doing magic bursts, tossing out the occassional cure.

If, as you say, there are people who are absolutely determined to make SMNs main heal and get all uppity when Avatars are brought out or say that BPs are worthless... well I haven't seen it.

Maybe I just have a great server. But I hardly think that's really the case.

I look at this update and go, "sweeeet!" Y'all look at this update and go, "Well the community thinks this changes NOTHING!"

Brighten up, guys.