I consider the Ritualist as a second class citizen. The ritualist is the 2nd best healer. It is the 2nd best elemental damager. It is the Tied for best minion master.
This is how I ranked them.
Healing
Monk/* - Best
Rit/* - 2nd best (global healing and good healing)
*/Monk - 3rd best (minor global healing, and good healing - no DF)
Elemental Damage Dealer
Elementalist/* - Best
Ritualist/* - 2nd Best
*/Elementalist - 3rd Best
*/Ritualist - 4th Best
Minion Master
Necromancer/* or Ritualist/* - Best
*/Necromancer - 3rd best
*/Ritualist - 4th best
Depending on what you want from your ritualist (spiker/minion master/dancer/etc.) you can do what you desire. However, if you expect to be the best at everything, then you'll never find a character that will suit you. The Ritualist has been described as a Monk/Elementalist/Ranger. If the Ritualist can exceed the abilities of each of those classes and a MM, then why would anyone bother with those classes. The fact that this character can do bits of each of those classes should indicate that its power lies in its diversity rather than be the best at any one thing. It can't run, it can't fight hand-to-hand like a warrior, it can't tank like a warrior. It can't barrage nor can it create permanent enchantments. The fact that any PUGs will desire a specific type of character: Nuker, Healer, Minion Master; you can at least turn your character into something similar to those classes. Summon spirits to disrupt; to disenchant; to attack; to protect; to heal; cast spells to do lightning damage.
Ritualists and Assassins from the Collectors Edition are the only ones currently that can create/summon backup dancers. You look much better dancing with other than by yourself.
