So my nifty wizard/gunslinger was murdered by a finger of death. Many tears were shed, then I decided to reroll a summoner.
I built a pretty mean Eidolon concept for a vanilla summoner, serpentine form with huge, constrict, and final embrace master feat tree. Ended up with something like 12d6 on a constrict after feats and evolutions.
But...
Master Summoner seems pretty shiny too. Multiple fiendish Tyrannosaurs? Yes please!
However, there is a problem. We're playing the last module of 'Second Darkness'. Seems like every map in this campaign has been tiny and cramped indoor or cave environments, and I have no reason to think that would change now. I honestly think I will have a difficult time using the summons from either concept.
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
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Even with the space constraints, I will still suggest playing a Master Summoner.
Reason being that a Master Summoner is combination of a controller, scout, tanker and meat shield maker. All-in-one.
If what you fear is that numbers of summons won't help you in cramped quarters as they can't reach the enemies to deal damage, then remember that there are a number of summons (which you can summon in groups of 2-4+) which have range attacks. Examples being Erinyes (devil), Azata, Bralani and Xills.
You can summon these to deal range damage. In fact they can do both melee tanking and range!
As a summoner, you have no alignment restrictions when it comes to what you can summon, so just go ahead an summon what you need.
Finally there are some summons which are small in size. Learn their language and have them scout the different passages. In fact get a message-like spell on them and have them report back to you what they see!
Summons CANNOT lie or try to harm you! They are totally loyal and under your control! Remember that! (aka, they CAN harm allies, if an ally try to hurt you. You got to tell them to stop.)
I don't know that module, but I would strongly recommend asking your GM if you decide master summoner.
Not only is he considered "stronger" but also you'll need a lot more time for every round. It helps to let other players roleplay the summons, but it's still hard.
All eidolons and summon can be medium size, no need to make them huge, so no worries there. Serpentine may help to get a huge one through, but large should be large enough.
Both are equally good.
Master Summoner is nice but the eidolon is only at half your level for evolution points and everything else.
Sure MS gets to spam the battlefield with low level monsters but at high levels, it's not that great.
Being able to customize a monster with the normal summoner is very valuable and fun.
I'd go with a chocolate-strawberry one, vanilla was never my fave...
Heh, thumbs up.
Master Summoner only replaces Summon Monster I ability. Not the SM II,III, and so on.
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Master Summoner only replaces Summon Monster I ability. Not the SM II,III, and so on.
This ability otherwise functions as the summoner’s normal summon monster I ability.
Darth borehd, the summoner's ability is call "Summon Monster I (Sp)"
There is no "Summon Monster II/III/IV (Sp)"
Summon Monster I (Sp) - Upgrades itself every 2 levels "the power of this ability increases by one spell level, allowing him to summon more powerful creatures (to a maximum of summon monster IX at 17th level)"
I know its confusing, but Master Summoner can summon lv 2 and above monsters as he levels, up to his limit per day. (Normal Summoners are limited to 1 and only if there is no Eidolon out.)
Thanks for the responses. The GM seems fine with it, so it's a matter of flavor at this point. I do think I will go with master summoner though, it just seems more flexible. If you want heavy hitters, they're on the list. If you need utility, that's there too.
Also, Secane is correct about master summoner's Summon Monster ability.
Throw in half-elf as race - and bump up your low evolution pool.
Don't forget that master summoner invariably makes you an action hog. It takes away a lot from the other players if slightly mismanaged.
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Yeah, you'll want to look at what you can summon, and pick a few different creatures for different situations. I usually have a pouncer (someone that can charge in a get a lot of powerful attacks), a brute (a monsters with a single strong attack and that can act as a tank when needed), and utility (those that have spells/spell-like abilities that can augment your own casting ability, or those that have specialize abilities usable for scouting or such).
When you figure those out, make sure to have their stats on cards or sheets, or something so that you can reference them easily instead of constantly flipping back and forth in the Bestiary then having to adjust for augment summoning.
I'm currently a 7th lvl MS, so I have the Bison for my brute, lion for pouncing, and mephits for utility. I have them on a summon sheet by Happy Camper (pathfinderdb.com) with the mephits' abilities on the back of the sheet. I also have a sheet for my lower level summons as well, since I already had them from my previous levels. You will get a bunch of sheets, but it is faster than flipping through the book I think. Or if you use electronic devices, have them in a spread sheet or word doc that you can easily reference.
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Don't forget that master summoner invariably makes you an action hog. It takes away a lot from the other players if slightly mismanaged.
I countered this by restricting myself to 2-3 monsters at a time, only summoning more if the party is in dire need of it. My turns are significantly shorter than the alchemist who cant make up his mind whether or not to throw a bomb.
@OP
Do you want a single powerhouse monster? (Vanilla)
or
Do you want a collection of varying monsters? (Master Summoner)
I greatly prefer the master summoner. I think the whole point to being a summoner is hordes monsters to do you bidding. Just luv it.
Having said that, anytime I've seen someone (including myself) try to specialize in summons, combat just grinds on forever. Even if well prepared, there are just so many actions to be taken and possibilities to choose. It just seems to make the summoners turn go on forever every round. I know some people say it works ok in their group, but I've never seen it work out well. Our group already has problems with fights taking too long, so I won't do this to them. =(
Maybe if it was a small gaming group it would work out better.