Preparing Summon Monster Spells

[RavingRutabaga]

Hello, everyone.

I was just wondering if anyone had any information on the rules regarding preparing spells and the summon monster series. If a wizard prepares the spell can he choose what monster to summon when he casts it or must he choose what monster he is summoning when he prepares it?

For example,

1) Day begins and a wizard prepares summon monster I to summon a celestial dog. Later in combat, he casts the spell and summons the celestial dog.

2) Day begins and a wizard prepares summon monster I. Later in combat he casts the spell and has the option of summoning any creature on the list.

I've looked through the Core Rulebook and the forums with no luck. The only thing I can think of is that spells like Resist Energy (I think) make you choose what energy you are resisting when you prepare the spell. Would the same logic apply to Summon Monster?

Thanks in advance,

[thorindale]

Option #2 = chosen at the moment of casting.

Back in the 3.x days, I've heard of houserules similar to option #1, I think to limit players from taking up too much time flipping though the MM to find the "right" creature.

[Howie23]

RavingRutabaga wrote:

Hello, everyone.

I was just wondering if anyone had any information on the rules regarding preparing spells and the summon monster series. If a wizard prepares the spell can he choose what monster to summon when he casts it or must he choose what monster he is summoning when he prepares it?

For example,

1) Day begins and a wizard prepares summon monster I to summon a celestial dog. Later in combat, he casts the spell and summons the celestial dog.

2) Day begins and a wizard prepares summon monster I. Later in combat he casts the spell and has the option of summoning any creature on the list.

I've looked through the Core Rulebook and the forums with no luck. The only thing I can think of is that spells like Resist Energy (I think) make you choose what energy you are resisting when you prepare the spell. Would the same logic apply to Summon Monster?

Thanks in advance,

The relevant information is in the magic chapter under the heading Casting Time: "You make all pertinent decisions about a spell (range, target, area, effect, version, and so forth) when the spell comes into effect."

With summon monster foo, resist energy, etc., you make all decisions when the spell comes into effect. Even something like enlarge person, you may have started to cast it planning on putting it on the fighter. Being a fighter, he couldn't wait, so moved up without it...no maybe you drop it on the cleric who's still in range once the casting time is complete.

Note that with potions, all decisions about version, etc. are made by the creator and the person drinking it has no control. A potion of resist energy thus needs to be made of a particular type, such as resist energy (fire). One that there seems to be a lot of resistance to doing this with is lesser restoration; folks don't seem to like the idea that lesser restoration potions should come in versions based on what ability they cure, yet this is a decision made at the time of casting.

[Tiny Coffee Golem]

For sake of simplicity I'd recommend having some notecards with commonly summoned creatures ready to go. You're dm and fellow players will hate you if you're trying to get it together mid combat.

Also the "summoner" app does this automatically and it's awesome. Just saying.

[RavingRutabaga]

Howie23 wrote:

RavingRutabaga wrote:

Hello, everyone.

I was just wondering if anyone had any information on the rules regarding preparing spells and the summon monster series. If a wizard prepares the spell can he choose what monster to summon when he casts it or must he choose what monster he is summoning when he prepares it?

For example,

1) Day begins and a wizard prepares summon monster I to summon a celestial dog. Later in combat, he casts the spell and summons the celestial dog.

2) Day begins and a wizard prepares summon monster I. Later in combat he casts the spell and has the option of summoning any creature on the list.

I've looked through the Core Rulebook and the forums with no luck. The only thing I can think of is that spells like Resist Energy (I think) make you choose what energy you are resisting when you prepare the spell. Would the same logic apply to Summon Monster?

Thanks in advance,

The relevant information is in the magic chapter under the heading Casting Time: "You make all pertinent decisions about a spell (range, target, area, effect, version, and so forth) when the spell comes into effect."

With summon monster foo, resist energy, etc., you make all decisions when the spell comes into effect. Even something like enlarge person, you may have started to cast it planning on putting it on the fighter. Being a fighter, he couldn't wait, so moved up without it...no maybe you drop it on the cleric who's still in range once the casting time is complete.

Note that with potions, all decisions about version, etc. are made by the creator and the person drinking it has no control. A potion of resist energy thus needs to be made of a particular type, such as resist energy (fire). One that there seems to be a lot of resistance to doing this with is lesser restoration; folks don't seem to like the idea that lesser restoration potions should come in versions based on what ability they cure, yet this is a decision made at the time of casting.

Thanks, that is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you all for the replies!