Hi All,
Was looking to do a summoner. Is it possible to have summon monster spells supply varied/random elements with each cast? In example summoning 4 elementals, but 2 are fire, 1 is earth, the last ice?
Wanted to specialize in elementals, but the one element per cast is kinda limiting, though I understand why the rule was made (connecting to each plane takes concentration, yata yata).
Summon monster is a powerful spell and party action economy multiplier. There has to be a few downsides to it, or no GM would ever let it be used.
The ability to summon one of each element would remove all tactical/KNOW skill basis for casting. Don't want to bother with a KNOW check to determine a weakness, just summon one of everything!
There is also the practical concern of multiple stat blocks being rolled up in one turn, and multiple (different) special abilities to use and roll, slowing combat down even more than with a single type of summon.
As well not being able to communicate orders with more than 3 different languages per turn without using more actions.
Plus there are a lot of synergies that could be abused (I summon one to grapple, one to trip, one to rake, and one to heal the party in one turn for one action).
Plus, you get to summon a ton of monsters quickly anyways, it has no reason to become so much more powerful. If it is a real problem just have a party of summoners and have everyone flood the map and drown the enemies in summons!