UC Summoner Eidolon vs SLA

[Serum]

One of my players has a Wild Caller Unchained Summoner with an agathion type eidolon. During one of our encounters (at level 5), I pointed out that life link helps the eidolon stay alive at the expense of summoner hit points, not the other way around, which changed how he was playing his summoner/eidolon duo during encounters quite a bit.

After the session finished, he commented that there wasn't much point even having his eidolon out when he could just summon d3 (or soon d3+1) augmented earth elementals etc with a much better attack routine. I pointed out that the eidolon is potentially more survivable, but he correctly responded that survivability doesn't matter when he can just use another of his 3+CHA uses and even place the new set of summons in a new position as needed.

This is somewhat disheartening since his eidolon is an interesting character to have around, and I believe he would rather have it out as well.

Has anyone with an unchained summoner found this situation to change later on not have an issue with this at all?

[GM Rednal]

This is a known thing for Summoners. Generally, you want to build your Eidolon in a way that does something pretty well. The SLA gives you immense flexibility, but with relatively limited uses each day - so the Eidolon ought to do something you want very reliably. I'd talk with him about ensuring a role for it.

[Melkiador]

Even before unchained, there were many levels where the summoned monsters could be better than the eidolon. There are just so many good feats to use for summoning and so few that can boost your eidolon.

[Buri Reborn]

I've used the SLA to bring a character from almost dead to almost full health. One casting. 1 round. Next round they all full attacked. It's frightening.

[Rosc]

SLA can really outstrip the Eidolon, especially with the Unchained modifications. I have an APG Summoner with a moderately potent kill8jg machine, at least with a casting of Evolution Surge, and even then it feels easier to just use the SLA. If for no oher reason than ease of positioning.

It should be noted that Summon Eidolon can be cast while the SLA is running, giving you a really powerful assault force at the cost of not being able to cycle through Summon Monster casting at the drop of a hat. You can even build an Eidolon around making use of having adjacent allies. Especially with a Cavalier in the party.

[Rosc]

For an Unchained example, I have a Halfling Summoner with a Fighter dip that plays like a magical Cavalier with better movement options. That build iis Eidolon focused for obvious reasons.

If you want the Eidolon that holds its own, you need to build around it. Unlike Summons, you have full feat customization. Take teamwork feats. Take Bodyguard. Take some really fun combination of options out of Weapon Master's Handbook. Use the Skilled evolution in some creayive fashion. Making it a rad mount is also an option.

Or heck, design it specifically to support you Summon Monster minions.