I think you completely missed the patch notes.
Summons damage and defence is based on summoner stats, which means that every buff (rose, coctail etc.) is included in the formula. If your own stats are bad, then the summons stats are as well.
Summoner is now a proper mage class, with a pull skill and decent AOE.
There is a day and night difference in damage and defence, if you have the right equipment. Before the update at 112 level I was able to exp on 110 spot, but I had to use rose buff. Now I can exp on 114 spot, kill mobs a lot faster and without the rose.