I'm currently writing up a synthesist summoner and I'm looking through evolutions. I know he's going to be a quad (pounce is just difficult to give up) and while writing up the build I noticed Energy Attacks.
Now, for those who don't know it gives +1d6 of one element of your choice, to all natural attacks made by the eidolon.
With the points I have though, I could either make it so that I can attack one more time thus hitting my max amount of attacks at 4 (lv. 5 is what I'm building for), or add the energy damage to all of my current attacks (3 of them). I could get both at the loss of some strength, thus lowering my overall damage.
So, I ask you. Which is better?
- Getting all 4 attacks in my case?
- Or adding an extra dice of damage for each of my 3 attacks?
Note: The attacks I have set up right now are one bite and 2 claw.
Well at 5th level I could purchase a belt of giant's strength, take a different evolution that gives an attack instead of ability increase and have all four natural attacks. I wasn't planning on using weapons such as swords or axes, but an extra set of attacks could be good.
Having the Improved Natural Attack feat combined with a specialized manufactured weapon is your best bet in terms of attack amount; higher levels, those iteratives will go up to 4 (assuming it's a Full BAB), combined with the 3 attacks is going to be a nasty total of 7.
The best part? Those secondary natural attacks will only be at -2 from your highest BAB, and will deal standard strength. If I were you, I'd get something besides claws, since it will go against the limbs needed for a Manufactured; probably Slams or a Gore/Wings attack would be better, since those will get full Strength as a secondary.
Many Attacks are great, especially since you get multiples of your static damage applied, even better than a one-size bump that only occurs maybe 25% of the time (as in the extra amount actually was rolled), or a +1D6, which can get reduced significantly (doing 1 damage at best against Resistance 5 or higher creatures).
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Elemental Attack is subject to elemental immunity. There is no damage immunity (except for 1 very specific creature). Try something that increases your natural attacks damage. Or try going for something defensive like Imp. Nat. Armor or the evolution that gives a partial concealment.
Normal attacks are subject to DR, which is bypassed by elemental damage.
well if rake is the extra attack you are thinking of taking in place of the energy damage than remember that although it only counts as one attack, it does the damage of two claw attacks---effectively getting you five attacks worth of damage.
Lots of good advice here for sure.
In terms of natural attacks, if I went all 4, I'm looking at 2 claws, 1 bite (gotten for free with quadruped) and either slam (having the claws on the feet) or a tail with sting. I was trying for as many primary attacks as possible.
In terms of the Energy Attack evolution, I was going to go for Acid since not only is it one of the lesser DR and resisted types, but I could add flavor with it for the character.
Before considering the Belt of Giant's Strength though, I was actually thinking of using an amulet of mighty fists to grant me Shock on my attacks as well. So say for bite, it'd be:
1d6 bite + 1d6 Acid from energy attack + 1d6 Shock from Amulet + STR + Power Attack (though I'm still on the fence on using it since my plus to attack is still meh). 3d6+STR for each of my 4 natural attacks sounds juicy, although I'm sure a skilled user could do better.
I am considering Rake now, although that would probably require a rebuild into a grapple based character. If it would be best, I could post what I was thinking in terms of build, I was just trying to focus on which would be better between higher damage or multiple attacks.
...Those secondary natural attacks will only be at -2 from your highest BAB, and will deal standard strength. [...]
I don't understand this. I mean it's from the benefit of Multiattack bonus feat at level 9, that much is obvious. But I fail to see how you make it so the secondary natural attacks (read ALL your antural attacks at level 9+ if you use a wepon for iteratives also) deal standard STR mod to damage. With this feat (multiattack), the attacks are at -2 instead of -5 to-hit, but are still subject to the half strenght mod to dmg for being secondary.
As for the OP, consider arcane strike instad of power attack. It doesn't lower your to-hit and does't suffer from secondary STR mod at half benefit. It's always full dmg (magic).
Also, 2pts evolution to get +2STR are very good before you go large (if you ever do). Consider that pumping your attacks for a dice bump only grants 1pt of dmg per attack of that type (claws I guess?) while STR boost (costs 2 times as much) increases to-hit AND damage (+1 each) for all your attacks.
Now the elemental dmg is also nice, and with 3 or more natural attacks i would start considering it. But not before. And make sure you also cover some defensive abilities with evo pts.
I've toyed around the idea of a full natural attack eidolon/synthesist versus manufactured weapon (say great sword) + natural attacks. The former usually have higher dmg AND to-hit (note that this is post Multiattack bonus feat). The latter can be cheesed out with reach - weapon evolution, and can become a real asset in dealing with DR (both from straight dmg and from weapons enhancement). But then again, you can also just improve your bite to do 1.5 str dmg, and use power attack to gain x3 str mod. That takes care of most DR with you str score.
Overall i look at various builds and they all end up quite powerful. It's difficult to screw an eidolon/synthesist. And in the end, you have to hold yourself back not to create a monster that will have your GM be bitter about letting you play one, or overshadow other party members. This is so much more true if you play with people that don't optimize too much.
I also just refuse to play with pounce. Maybe it's my character fluff who prefer a more humanoid biped, but it's also because i can already see people at the table tear their character sheets in protest haha.
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I prefer to leave Energy Attacks as an available option for Evolution Surge. That way you can pick the most appropriate energy type for the situation. Since you can't take Energy Attacks more than once, you're locked into a particular choice if you take it as one of your eidolon's evolutions.
I prefer to leave Energy Attacks as an available option for Evolution Surge. That way you can pick the most appropriate energy type for the situation. Since you can't take Energy Attacks more than once, you're locked into a particular choice if you take it as one of your eidolon's evolutions.
Excellent point. Although some people prefer to keep that surge for flight evolution, or later for "enlarge". Still, another option to consider. You want a good Eidolon standing, and use the surge to circumvent a major limiting factor, like not reaching a flying ennemy/need to pass difficult terrain fast. Or in the case you point out, apply significant dmg on an ennemy vulnerable to a certain dmg type.