Level 1 Summoner Playtest 12 / 6 / 09

[YuenglingDragon]

The Summoner:

Human Level 1
Init +3
Defense
AC 18, touch 14, flat-footed 14 (+3 dex, Dodge, Chain Shirt)
hp 10
Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +2
Offense
Speed 30 ft.
Melee: Glaive +2 D10+3 Reach
Statistics
Str 14, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 15
Base Atk +0; CMB +2; CMD 16
Feats: Dodge, Martial Proficiency (Glaive)
Equipment: Glaive, chain shirt, Random adventuring odds and ends

Wolf Eidolon:

Quadrupedal Eidolon 1
N Medium outsider
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.
Defense
AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 15 (+2 dex, +4 natural armor, +1 dodge)
hp 18
Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +0
Offense
Speed 40 ft.
Melee: bite +4 (d6+2 + Trip), 2 claws +4 (d4+2)
Special Attacks: Trip
Statistics
Str 14, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 7, Wis 10, Cha 11
Base Atk +4; CMB +4; CMD 17
Feats: Dodge
Evolutions: bite (f), limbs (legs) x2 (f) - claws x1, improved natural armor, trip

I realize neither of these characters are particularly optimized. I don't enjoy playing that way as much and I suspect the average summoner won't be either.

Below is the adventure. If you don't want to read the whole thing I have some general thoughts on the game below that.

Synopsis:

The party was me, a beefy fighting Druid with a leopard, a long spear Rogue, and the worst Cleric that has ever been made. The Druid and his AniCom step into the first room of the building we must clear and the druid immediately falls victim to an enchantment that turns him against us. He bashes the Rogue down to only 3hp and then the Rogue falls victim to the same enchantment. The cleric hides in a sanctuary spell where he helps me not at all until being beat into unconsciousness by the Rogue and Druid. Though it is a close run thing, my Eidolon and I manage to knock the Rogue and Druid unconscious in turn. We drag them outside, run for help from a Cleric that knows what the crap he doing, and come back. The cleric heals everyone for a fee and removes the curses. He also gives us some helpful information. Thus fortified we reenter the building.

The Eidolon's high perception comes in handy a couple times. We beat down the evil occupants of two rooms with minimal trouble. The third room is a challenge. The rogue goes down in the surprise round! The Cleric falls shortly after. Me and the Druid and our pets lay the hammer on our enemies. Things start to get down to the line when I go to -1hp and the Druid braves an AoO to CLW the Cleric. The Cleric channels and heals us. He uses his next channel to panic the last undead enemy (despite the fact that it's flanked and damaged already and the healing would have been way better). Before the enemy even has a chance to run my Eidolon kills him. The last channel of the day goes to getting everyone's HP up.

Another easy fight and we're ready for the big bad boss room. I give everyone Guidance and shield myself (I should have done this or Enlarge for the Eidolon too but I was thinking about enlarging him or shielding him later as I saw what need I'd have). This fight was both complicated and frustrating. I won't go into detail in case someone else does this module at some point but it was making me crazy. The Eidolon went down fairly early to a pair or natural twenties rolled consecutively. Ouch. After getting in some hits of my own I drop to 0 and hold onto myself and hope for one last good smack before unconsciousness. The cleric continued to be useless. The Leopard goes down but the Druid and Rogue manage to kill the last of the boss beasts and we claim victory! Well, they claim victory. We were in serious mortal danger and I passed into unconsciousness to Daze the enemy so they could beat on him. So they claimed victory and I took a nap.

General Thoughts
My DM was pretty impressed by the class, claiming I solo'd most of the party in the first fight. That's not exactly fair since the Rogue was almost out and they both wasted attacks on the Cleric giving me time to get them both unconscious. But the Summoner and Eidolon were a fairly impressive pair. The Summoner's bonus to hit is comparable to that of a well made Fighter once the opponent has been flanked and tripped. My AC is also comparable, though a bit lower, to that of a Fighter with a two-hander. Our combined damage probably exceeded that of most Fighters and the economy of action was pretty excellent.

I never used a single summon. I think this is going to be a common experience for many Summoners at early levels. I don't think that getting the SLA by itself is too worthwhile. I think that either the standard action cast time needs to be brought back or the increased duration. The 1 at a time rule should stand regardless.

Thanks for reading. Feel free to ask questions or leave comments.