Piling on the Extra Evolutions

[Ambrus]

I'm trying to rough out my Synthesist's feat progression from level one. Although I want to be combat-effective, the GM prefers to focus more on role-playing so there's some room for some non-combat diversity.

Thing is, the more I look at it, the Extra Evolution feat seems to be a better option than most feats. Compare the +3 bonus of Skill Focus vs the +8 racial bonus from the Skilled Evolution. Evolutions are strong, versatile, can be repurposed every level and generally superior to individual feats.

My question is, if available at the current level, isn't the Extra Evolution feat a solid and generally better choice for a synthesist to take?

[Ambrus]

No summoner players around?

[The NPC]

Its a good feat to take and good to take at any level. Synthesists can be very combat effective so if you have some rp oriented feats you should or want to take taking them first shouldn't hurt.

[Master of the Dark Triad]

Yup, always take extra evolution.

[Deadmanwalking]

You'll want Power Attack. You might want Improved Initiative. You could probably justify Cosmopolitan or Martial Weapon Proficiency if you wanted to.

Other than that? Yeah, you're gonna want Extra Evolution and little else.

[LazarX]

Extra Evolution is gravy. It's a feat no summoner in his right mind would refuse. But then again, even without it, you're still an extremely powerful character. So it's far from mandatory.

[chaoseffect]

Deadmanwalking wrote:

You'll want Power Attack. You might want Improved Initiative. You could probably justify Cosmopolitan or Martial Weapon Proficiency if you wanted to.

Other than that? Yeah, you're gonna want Extra Evolution and little else.

I agree with Deadmanwalking. Take Extra Evolution each time you are able and then fill in the blanks with whatever (though you definitely want Power Attack).

[Taku Ooka Nin]

You are unlikely to regret taking Extra Evolution IF there is nothing else that appeals to you. You are spending a feat to gain +1 evolution points.
Your best bet is to take a race that gives extra evolution points if possible, E.G. Half-Elves.
The Skilled Evolution is stupidly good for a huge number of reasons.

[Ambrus]

Alright. Thanks for the confirmation guys!

[Rerednaw]

The Eidolon is one of the most powerful of classes, nearly Tier 1.
3/4 BAB, d10 hit die, 4+int skill points, bonus evolutions (like feats only better). And you can get pounce with 3 attacks at first level. No other martial class has 3 attacks at level 1. Even the mighty barbarian doesn't get pounce until 12th...and he has to build for it. You just spend 1 evolution point with your quadraped form.

Plus you have a fully customizable summoner follower. 2/3 BAB, hybrid up to 6th level casting with many choice spells received sooner (Haste at 4th level being noteworthy) than full progression casters. Your summoner pet can buff, heal, battlefield control, or slug it out with you. And he can take the Extra Evolution feat to make you even more ungodly. Which he should almost every time. And he ought to be a half-elf to stack on even more. Evolutions are moderate to very powerful abilities, and you usually get far more than you would compared to other feats. The +8 skill bonus is just one example.

So yes, have some! And then have some more! :)

[7heprofessor]

I wouldn't take it for EVERY feat! Don't forget the following amazing feats:

Power Attack (mentioned fifty times already) -> Dazing Assault (melee summoner's 15th level feat of choice)

Quicken Spell (swift action buffs are awesome)

Augment Summoning (for when your buddy goes bye-bye)

Superior Summoning (same)

Combat Style feats (for use with Feral combat Training)

Combat Maneuver Feats (for anything there isn't an evolution for)

For me, too many people one-trick pony the synthesist, when really it can be quite versatile without the eidolon (though less-so than standard summoner of course).

Either way...just my 2 cp