Well me and all my current players have always wanted this type of character class (maybe not done exactly like this...)but are others disappointed in the flavor as well? I was hoping since the earliest playtest it would get changed to go the route i was hoping, and wasn't.
Summoner just doesn't seem to fit the class name so much as Beast-master does. An eidolon seems more like a magical beast companion that can just be revived the next day than a true summoned magical beast. I'm sure others out there were hoping for more a final fantasy summon Ifrit class like me?
This is the same disappointment i had when i watched digimon seasons with my daughter and in season four they took away the actual digimon and had the people digivolve :( heck i would even prefer a weaker summoned monster that POWERS up in time of crisis than the way it is now just like digimon in season 1+2 lol
I will probably just house rule the class as the constant Magical beast always around just doesn't fill the role quite right for me or any of my players.
A character option could easily remedy this and give players some flavor and utility. For instance, reduce the summon time to 1 standerd action and the eidolon is summoned forth for 1m/lvl or another format. gives the summoner x times per day and voila! yeah your eidolon is around a lot less but it's there when you REALLY need it and you don't have the scenerio- oh we're going into a small under ground cave or a town so you have to stay behind so im severely weakened.
Another nice option would be to allow the summoner to summon multiple eidolon (though one at a time). Say augmented monster summoning spell. if monster summoning X can summon an XHD monster why not an X level equivalent eidolon? have it so only his SA monster summoning can be used this way, it already has the one active at a time. He can't use his normal eidolon abilities on this monster summon eidolon. yeah it makes a lot more work for the player but if its an optional class feature it's work he can choose to take on or not.
these 2 class features would allow players to play the TRADITIONAL summoner they always wanted to play without changing the class in any way if done through optional class features and only adds more flavor/character customization. These will definitely be optional class features i will be house ruling in. But i figured i would share them for others to use ;)
Well you know there is suppose to be a new summoner spell that will come out the guide that allows the summoner to change evolutions on the go to fit the situation at hand. I hear the spell would be expensive to cast.
Just remember though in addition to the eidolon, the summoner also has summon monster as a spell like ability and he can cast summon spells. So that would mean he could have at least three different monsters out at one time while at the same time he shoots up his enemies or cast spells to mess with them.
There's already many ways by which the "I summon critters off the lists" can be achieved.
Concepts like "IT'S ALIVE!", "My real power is in my companion", and "I actually play this monster here, that guy who follows me around is just my cohort" were not as easy to pull off, though.