Building a summoner

[Green Smashomancer]

I don't usually build casters, but I've recently really gotten into the idea of summoning Elementals. For this, I want to try using the Unchained Summoner. So far I have only a bit planned out, but I need to know a few things.

1. Would the summon monster SLA's be affected by feats like Augment Summoning?

2. If so, would it be worthwhile even with the weak prerequisite feat? I want to frequently flood the field with Earth Elementals so the stat boost would help.

3. Which feat's are "must haves" for summoning in general?

4. Would I be noticeably better off Conjuring as some other class? I mean for summoning creatures specifically, I know the Wizard, for example is a stronger package because of broken shenanigans like simulacrum and magic jar, but that isn't my plan.

5. I have some index cards I can write must have info on. What are the key things to have on hand for my creatures? I would think: HP, to hit, damage, creature type, pet nicknames. Anything else?

6. Do you suppose anyone might object to the Earth Elementals specifically taking the appearance of precious metals like Gold? I can't seem to find a page for "Metal Elementals."

Tying into that last question is the general personality of the Summoner in question. The bare bones I have are: N Half-Elf. He was raised with a silver spoon in his mouth and loved it. The re-flavored Elementals are but one of the several ways he likes to show off his prestige. He started adventuring on a whim, but of course, there's always room for personal growth.

Any thoughts?

[GM Rednal]

1) It's been FAQ'd, and does affect the SLA of Summon Monster.

2) Oh YES it's worth it. Augment Summoning is perhaps the single most valuable feat you can take. Besides, Summoners have lots of Conjuration spells, so Spell Focus in that actually ends up pretty nice.

3) Augment Summoning. Improved Initiative (drop your allies into combat faster!), Extend Spell, Reach Spell, and Crafting are all pretty good. Expanded Arcana is good at mid levels.

4) Nah. If your focus is calling Elementals, Summoner's what you want.

5) Ideally, as much of their stat block as much as you can get - maybe print out the pages if you can, with and without Augment Summoning, and give your GM a copy. They'll appreciate it.

6) I can't speak for any other GMs, but if you're not asking for any mechanical changes, I don't think it'll be a problem.

Final Thought: If you want to FLOOD the field with Elementals, you'd want to play a (Chained) Master Summoner. That's the best way to get as many summons out as possible. ...Unless you're in PFS, I guess. XD

[lemeres]

4.- Well, you have standard action summoning and the results last for minutes/level instead of rounds/level. So those earth elementals you want to summon could stick around and do scouting after they beat that particular enemy into a paste. Grabbing Terran and Auran via linguistics seems like a great idea, honestly.

So overall- it is fine. You might want to go master summoner archetype if you prefer this approach. Not going to suggest flooding the field- just saying that you might want the extra two uses of the SLA and you might not be bothered by a weaker eidolon. With this, you can keep the eidolon out as a skill monkey.

5. Saves, CMD, special abilities, and spell like abilities.

6. You could call it gold ore. Doubtful it would be a problem. I mean...all earth elementls have gem eyes, but it isn't listed as loot.

[Green Smashomancer]

I guess "Flood" was a bit of an exaggeration. I just mean a few of them, but enough to generally win the numbers game. That does remind me of the Eidolon in question. It was a gift "given" to him by his parents when he was younger. Meant to act effectively as a butler/maid. I don't have many plans with the Eidolon, but he/she needs a name. Jeeves/Maria would be too easy I think. Skill monkey was my first idea, maybe a Knowledge dispensary?

"Nyes, Sirrah, the Rock Troll does seem rather upset at the sight of your face. Perhaps you should not have gone in here to retrieve your personalized hairbrush after all."

Linguistics is a good idea I had planned on. Can't order the masses around if they don't understand you. Terran, Auran, Aquan, any other common languages I could use? Giant? I'm not adverse to branching out.