Best class to build a summoning focused character


Advice

Shadow Lodge

I am building a character for a new campaing and I really like the concept of a summoner type. In this game the GM have already said no to the Summoner class.

Its going to be a very small party, me plus one or two. So i dont think my summoned mobs will be a problem for the pace of the combat. The GM doesn't allow the Summoner class. There is a good change we will be doing one of Paizo's APs.

Originally I planned on going with a Abyssal Sorcerer because of the bloodline arcana but now you can get it via arcane heritage and I don't think nothing beats having an animal companion on such a small party.

So I am between Druid, Cleric with animal domain and Nature's Oracle. Druids are really nice but I prefer the spell list of the Cleric. I love the fluff of Nature's Oracle but I am not sure he is as good as the other two choices. I have been told there are some good feats for summon nature's ally but i cant find any that would be on the same lvl of Sacred Summons. That feat and the ability to AoE heal (or buff/debuff) the battle field is pushing me more in the Cleric's direction.

Are there better feats for the summon nature's ally than the ones for Cleric's summon monsters? I would prefer to play the other two choices but the Cleric just seems so much better at this specific job...

I just can't make up my mind, I am looking for advice or any thoughts in which class would make the most effective summoner type. Thanks in advance for any help.


Conjurer Wizard

Silver Crusade

The DM is ok with a summoner, but not with THE Summoner ?

"I'm ok with you playing a big scary warrior with anger problems, called Conan and wearing only his chest hairs as armor, but you shall not play a barbarian."


Evangelist Cleric that focuses on summons.

Summon (as a standard action), at level 7 start Inspire Courage (as a move action).

Buff, let them do the work.

Oh, and level 11, take Discordant Voice, so you can give your summons an extra 1d6 sonic damage per attack.


Maxximilius wrote:
The DM is ok with a summoner, but not with THE Summoner ?

A valid concern. That SLA helps a lot, due to it basically being 3-13 free summons a day.


Maxximilius wrote:
"I'm ok with you playing a big scary warrior with anger problems, called Conan and wearing only his chest hairs as armor, but you shall not play a barbarian."

THIS AM SIMPLY GAME BALANCE.

Silver Crusade

Summons aren't so much of a problem is the guy is indeed in a group of two-to-three players.

But well, if you can't play one, like said before :

- Evangelist Cleric
- Conjurer wizard

- Lord of Undead, Skeleton Summoner feat, negative channel specialist.

Shadow Lodge

Do you guys think a conjurer wizard would be as effective as a divine caster who could get an animal companion? Why?


I played a kingmaker campaign playtesting something like the master Summoner. We had 3 players, and it caused issues. Nothing that wasn't the fault of being based on the master Summoner, but issues nonetheless.

Shadow Lodge

Yes but the Master Summoner is an archetype of the Summoner class, which i cant use for this adventure...

I belive the GM said no to the Summoner class because pretty much everytime we had one in the party there was some issues.


Merck wrote:

Yes but the Master Summoner is an archetype of the Summoner class, which i cant use for this adventure...

I belive the GM said no to the Summoner class because pretty much everytime we had one in the party there was some issues.

That was to Maxximilius, sorry.

Shadow Lodge

Np Cheapy. I kind of agree with you on the Evangelist archetype. Its great! Actually I dont think there are many Cleric's builds that wouldnt become better with this archetype.

The thing is, I already play one in PFS...


Ah, well then. Animal Speaker bard, emypreal knight paladin. Unconventional and can be summoners :-D


Druid

They are so awesome. Every spell is a summoning spell, so you don't have to worry about memorizing spells. You have a bit of healing, a few decent attack spells and good travel stuff if the adventures involve that sort of stuff.

Wildshape is just so versatile. The ability to be able to scout, fly, swim, etc. beats out the better healing of a cleric.

If you want to summon as a standard action, you can go with one of the animal druid archetypes, but you lose a lot of versatility.

Really, they are all pretty good, so it depends on what flavor you like.

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