sounds like warlock kit from dota, i wouldn't mind that either honestly -- it was more of a personal choice, i just wanted to keep the thematics of him wanting everyone to fight for the cause. so a group supportive ult sounded like the way to go
originally, i had intended for his minions to be his main source of his damage -- as you mentioned, like with viscous and his goo ball, punch, ult and dynamo with his wave and ult, fossor's supposed to be a middle ground between the two of them
wherein they can both build spirit and run down...
i really like summoner heroes in games, chen/warlock/np/bp/visage in dota, tiamat in smite, caliban in warframe, to name a few... the power fantasy of just having a whole personal army at your disposal is unparalleled to me, as i was never really a big fan of the "turret summoner" hero. i feel...