If Summoner Class had taken a different route, something more akin to what initial 1.4.0 offered, this might've been an interesting mechanic {IMHO}, to help balance-out just how powerful 1.4.4.9 Hybrid Summoner has become,
but that's not what we got, so we're all kinda in this weird spot where, those who are Classic Veterans are happy, Traditional Veterans want more Whips and Minions, those who are Mod loving [Calamity did it better] Veterans aren't happy at all, and
newer players~ trying the Class out for the first time are left...
confused and come here to the forums looking for answers [because trying to explain Pure Summoner on a Wiki is extremely tough to do].
The weirdest part about it all~ is that Summoner is likely the most buffed Class in the entire game, but some Players still don't feel it's enough.
- "We need Minions to remain active, even after death, even though this isn't the case for most other buffs!"
- "We need Sentries to be stronger and much more accurate, so that they can hit faster-moving Bosses!"
- "We need Summoner Armor to have buffs that increase running/ flight speed, the Class is too slow!"
- "We need older Minions to have close to, or the same AI as Blades Staff or Sanguine Bats!"
- "We need longer-reaching Whips, similar to 1.4.1.2 Obsidian Set as default!"
- "Summoner Class has too many gaps in progression, we need more stuff!"
Even though I agree with you~ that Summoner Class could use a lil' nerf, and perhaps some
more interesting and restrictive mechanics, all that'll happen is these "weaknesses" will be exaggerated, taken out of context, and more request for buffs will just repeat themselves [10 Minute Sentries to cover Spawn Camping, just won't cut-it I guess?]. If Obsidian/
Fire Cracker wasn't enough of a display of Summoner Classes power,
if the Devs aren't careful, I don't know what it'll take.
If left up to me, the Class would
mostly be left alone as of 1.4.4.9...
but it isn't up to me, and so now we get free Minions upon death and will be getting more Whips as of 1.4.5. Giving Summoner anything less than another wave of buffs is asking for trouble [but for all the wrong reasons].