At low character/summoning levels, positioning is important in placing totems. At the very least, an attack destroying a totem is an attack not directed at a party member, and if you place them out of view or range of a mage or archer, an opponent will be forced to move to attack them, using up AP.
Some people have argued totems are over powered (pick up skills to apply surfaces of your choice; oil is quite effective), especially with more than one summoner in a party.
Damage is not the primary purpose of Bull Rush.
Don't conjure an incarnate somewhere opponents can attack it immediately but it has to move to reach a target. Summoned before combat, if you see or suspect opponents ahead, there isn't an AP cost during combat, and even if they are targeted immediately, that is an attack directed away from a party member.
In D:OS every character could put a point or two into every skill school to get the majority of the most useful skills, as well.
