This seems like a silly question to me but I want to see if there are any known issues with this combo.
If a wizard casts a maximized Summon Monster VI to summon 1d4+1 medium elementals, will this maximize to 5 medium elementals? I can't see why it wouldn't but as I said above, I want to double check. Thanks in advance for the input.
Yes.
It is a numerical part of the spell, hence maximized.
Yes, it works, but I can't help wonder why that wizard can't find something better on the Summon Monster IX chart - I'm betting that one Glabrezu or Astral Deva can be far more effective than 5 medium elementals except maybe in a corner case when you need to track down 5 fleeing enemies at the same time (although outsiders with teleport at will can be almost as effective there, too).
Then again, if you're using a Wand of Maximize, maybe it's not too bad a use for it, but again, I can think of other maximized 6th level spells that would be more interesting than 5 medium elementals.
Yes, it works, but I can't help wonder why that wizard can't find something better on the Summon Monster IX chart - I'm betting that one Glabrezu or Astral Deva can be far more effective than 5 medium elementals except maybe in a corner case when you need to track down 5 fleeing enemies at the same time (although outsiders with teleport at will can be almost as effective there, too).
Then again, if you're using a Wand of Maximize, maybe it's not too bad a use for it, but again, I can think of other maximized 6th level spells that would be more interesting than 5 medium elementals.
With Superior & Augmented Summoning, 6 Augmented Medium Air Elementals can be one hell of a force. They block vision, including true seeing and such, and can force a large amount of reflex saves and concentration checks to avoid being screwed over. Failing one of those reflex saves might mean they fly 400ft skyward and drop you next round. Fun times.
|
Yes, it works, but I can't help wonder why that wizard can't find something better on the Summon Monster IX chart - I'm betting that one Glabrezu or Astral Deva can be far more effective than 5 medium elementals except maybe in a corner case when you need to track down 5 fleeing enemies at the same time (although outsiders with teleport at will can be almost as effective there, too).
Then again, if you're using a Wand of Maximize, maybe it's not too bad a use for it, but again, I can think of other maximized 6th level spells that would be more interesting than 5 medium elementals.
Due to Medium Elemental being a Summon Monster IV (4) and not a Summon Monster VI (6) spell, I think that the OP meant a maximized Summon monster 4 (so a 7th level slot). Otherwise, why summon 5 medium elementals for a 9th when you could be summoning 5 huge elementals for that same 9th..
Not that this does not change it much (still corner cases for usability), but I have made that typo in the past myself.
Yes, it works, but I can't help wonder why that wizard can't find something better on the Summon Monster IX chart - I'm betting that one Glabrezu or Astral Deva can be far more effective than 5 medium elementals except maybe in a corner case when you need to track down 5 fleeing enemies at the same time (although outsiders with teleport at will can be almost as effective there, too).
Then again, if you're using a Wand of Maximize, maybe it's not too bad a use for it, but again, I can think of other maximized 6th level spells that would be more interesting than 5 medium elementals.
Due to Medium Elemental being a Summon Monster IV (4) and not a Summon Monster VI (6) spell, I think that the OP meant a maximized Summon monster 4 (so a 7th level slot). Otherwise, why summon 5 medium elementals for a 9th when you could be summoning 5 huge elementals for that same 9th..
Not that this does not change it much (still corner cases for usability), but I have made that typo in the past myself.
Not a typo at all.
He has to use Summon Monster VI to summon 1d4+1 creatures from the Summon Monster IV chart. Otherwise, if he summoned one single huge elemental, there would be nothing to maximize at all.
Summoning FIVE huge elementals would require Summon Monster VIII which cannot be maximized unless you use a Rod of Greater Maximize Spell (of course, he could just cast Summon Monster VIII and hope he rolls a 4).
|
|
Yes, it works, but I can't help wonder why that wizard can't find something better on the Summon Monster IX chart - I'm betting that one Glabrezu or Astral Deva can be far more effective than 5 medium elementals except maybe in a corner case when you need to track down 5 fleeing enemies at the same time (although outsiders with teleport at will can be almost as effective there, too).
Then again, if you're using a Wand of Maximize, maybe it's not too bad a use for it, but again, I can think of other maximized 6th level spells that would be more interesting than 5 medium elementals.
Due to Medium Elemental being a Summon Monster IV (4) and not a Summon Monster VI (6) spell, I think that the OP meant a maximized Summon monster 4 (so a 7th level slot). Otherwise, why summon 5 medium elementals for a 9th when you could be summoning 5 huge elementals for that same 9th..
Not that this does not change it much (still corner cases for usability), but I have made that typo in the past myself.
Not a typo at all.
He has to use Summon Monster VI to summon 1d4+1 creatures from the Summon Monster IV chart. Otherwise, if he summoned one single huge elemental, there would be nothing to maximize at all.
Summoning FIVE huge elementals would require Summon Monster VIII which cannot be maximized unless you use a Rod of Greater Maximize Spell (of course, he could just cast Summon Monster VIII and hope he rolls a 4).
D'oh, I blame pre-coffee Danka!
Thanks for all the information guys.
As to the question of effectiveness, there are a few things that are more character specific. More powerful options may exist but won't work for the character.
Basically this is a re-build of a 3.5 character that I played and wanted to see how he would work as a Pathfinder character. I found a few interested options, including Greater Spell Specialization. Figuring that he could sacrifice a 9th level spell for a Maximized Summon Monster VI if needed to get 6 Augmented Medium Elementals (with Superior and Augmented).
The character story limited him to summoning elementals (actually elemental scorpions to be specific). In my experience 1 big creature doesn't always mean a greater force. 6 medium elemental scorpions can make a great army to deal with. Or one well place water elemental that grapples and drowns a sorcerer before he can even finish his gloating speech.
Again, thanks.