Emperor Riptide's page

Hello!

I spent all last week trying to get an answer on twitter for this question, so I'm going to try one last attempt here.

The question is pretty much this:

Can we get clarification on how abilities that do "Additional Damage" such as:
- Rage Instincts
- Weapon Specialization
- Sneak Attack/Precision Damage
- Elemental Runes
- etc

How would these abilities work with Polymorph Battle forms like Wild Shape, Animal Form, Dragon Shape, etc? I'm not talking about the special versions from things like the Barbarian feat that clarifies you can use your own damage, and the like, but from a default perspective?

Mark Seifter clarified Here that these effects are not Damage Bonuses, but in fact additional damage. Which leaves them in a grey area when it comes to calculating damage.

If we can get official Paizo response to this, you'll not only resolve dozens of threads of concerns (whichever way it lands), but I will also donate 20 bucks to the charity Game to Grow that Paizo had on their blog last week.

Since its may the 4th, I'll end with "Help us Devs, you're our only hope"

Spellcasting as a summoner is very limited at the moment, but I think they could really benefit from some additional options that focus on the bond between summoner and magical creature.

The biggest complaint I've had so far is that casting spells in combat usually means you lose out on combat actions for the eidolon, which lets you drag behind, and means usually you dont necessarily get to boost eidolon.

Because of that, I think along the same line as Act Together with tandem action, there should be an ability to cast buff spells in a shorter length of time, and/or prolong the use of that boost/reinforce cantrip just like a Bard can.

Issue 1: Casting Buffs is too punishing
Before a combat, such as the start of the day, etc, you could preemptively 'store' a spell inside of your eidolon and pre-cast it. Then, during combat (or even while rolling initiative with a penalty to your roll), you could take an action to 'call forth' the buff spell with a single action.

So, at the start of a day, the beast eidolon summoner decides he wants to cast barkskin on his pet for later. So, during his morning routine, or a 10 minute break, he stores the spell. Then, during combat, he uses an action to finish the cast on his pet.

To make better use of the summoner's primary stat, perhaps you can store a number of spells in your eidolon equal to your CHA mod (which could in theory allow for you to store spells from wands/staves/etc)
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Issue 2: Boost Eidolon... boost eidolon boost...
Bards have a similar issue with their inspire courage. But, they can use lingering song as a focus power. I think Summoners need the same thing, but just like I think lingering song is a crutch because it costs too much (focus and roll with chance of failure), I think it should cost a focus, to last X rounds, and not get replaced by reinforce, or vice versa.

Example: Summoner casts Boost and spends a focus point to allow it to linger. This allows it to last for 1 minute (or 3 rounds, etc), and remains in effect even if someone uses Reinforce Eidolon instead. Alternatively, they could do the same for reinforce, and then continue to use Boost normally.