I have seen it in play, and what I usually see is that a first worlder's Eidolon is more of a skill monkey than a fighter and the summoner feels/looks much weaker because it has SNA instead of Summon Monster. The eidolon's combat ability gets much weaker, it loses 2 hp per level and most of its attack, and it doesn't get much back in return. When I see it I think "Man, what can I do with this guy I can't do with a normal summoner?" and I have trouble coming up with anything.
On the upside, the summoner still has a spell list and spells do miraculous things, so I haven't seen one that looked useless before(though I've never seen one with an eidolon used for anything but gimmicks).
Why are you having more fun with the first worlder? The only difference so far should be saves, skill list, and what monsters you can summon.
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Yes, I play a First Worlder Summoner, originally for our Kingmaker campaign, but duplicated now for PFS play.
If you'll indulge me for a moment, here's my Summoner/Eidolon (Yeah, I've been watching some Brokeback Mountain and Sixth Sense).
Emmerson, felt there had to be more to life than the comfortable existence of a noble's son, and so left to explore the lands that his family laid claim to. That is where he met the charming, but simple Kobe, a Kellid fisher/hunter/trapper living off the land. They soon developed a closeness as you do when the only thing protecting you from the freezing winter nights, ever-hungry wolves and other dangers of the forest is a dependence on each other.
And so it was one frosty morning when the wolves caught the two unawares as they were packing up their campsite. Dropping everything where it lay, the two ran as fast as their feet would carry them to the nearby river where they knew the wolves wouldn't cross.
Finding a narrow stretch, Kobe leapt with all his strength to reach the opposite bank, hearing Emmerson panting close behind. But as he landed, he disturbed a nest of geese who flew in panic directly into Emmerson's path as he lept, throwing him completely off-aim, and he fell through the frozen crust of the river.
Kobe, not stopping to check if the wolves had given up their chase, scrambled down the bank to the ice, to pull his companion from the waters, but the waters had already washed him beneath the ice, where he was caught by a submerged branch. Using his hunters knife, Kobe desperately tried to break through the ice. Eventually, he was able to pull Emmerson's limp wet body from the river, and attempted to rescussitate him.
Several weeks later Kobe heads out with a group of other adventurers to defend an outlying trading post.
"So why have you taken on this mission again?"
"I dunno, really. Emmerson said reclaiming the Green belt was important".
"Yeah, this Emmerson, your travelling companion? Where is he, when can we meet him?"
"Emmerson can be kinda shy, but he should catch up with us shortly. Let me see if I can find him ..." Kobe stands and walks off into the forest.
About a minute later, Kobe returns with a figure lurching along a couple of feet behind. Clothes and hair all dripping wet, leaving puddles of water behind him. His skin pale and blue, almost translucent, and frost emmanating from his mouth with every breath. The travelling group exchange shocked, nervous glances at each other. Kobe and Emmerson take their seat on a log away from the fire.
"Damn, what happened to you? There are no rivers or lakes nearby, at least not within walking distance!" Korzan stands up walking toward Emmerson "here, take my blanket and sit closer the fire, or you'll catch your death of cold!"
Emmerson wraps his arms about himself and shivers "Nn..nn..oo, I am ff..ff..ine, th..th..ank you all the ss..ss..ame."
"But you're dripping wet!"
"He is not" Kobe replies with genuine bewilderment on his face. "If this some kind of joke, we don't appreciate it!" turns to his buddy "Don't listen to him, Emmerson."
Emmerson turns his head and suddenly vomits what appears to be a bucket or more of water from his lungs! Everyone leaps to their feet.
"Kobe! There's something seriously unhealthy about your friend!"
The Witch and the Wizard in the group turn to each other and speak in Elven so Kobe wouldn't hear "Do you have Detect Undead prepared?" "Nope, not me, how about you?" "Sorry, maybe tomorrow".
Kobe glares at the two. He doesn't understand Elven, and has no idea why, but he thought he recognised a word or two .. "Undead?"
"We don't have to put up with this rudeness! C'mon, Emmerson, I've already set up our tent, let's retire and see if any of their manners have returned by morning."
Before too long, the familiar sound of Kobe's snoring can be heard, and the sound of a splash, as Emmerson dematerialises leaving nothing behind but a pool of water.
We were having breakfast at a cafe before our first Kingmaker session, and were talking about our characters and the campaign. Someone asked what deities each of us followed? I hadn't given it much thought, but I had read from the player's guide that Gyronna and Hanspur were local dieties that held some influence in the region. My only knowledge of Hanspur was the boat named "Hanspur's Luck" from the scenario Perils of the Pirate Pact, so I knew Hanspur had some association with rivers in the River Kingdoms, so I thought that might be appropriate.
Legends claim he was a priest of Gozreh who was drowned by a traveling companion then raised by Gozreh as a guardian of the waterways.
Hanspur is considered to be a forbidden God and his worship is banned in many nations because of one of his faiths rituals. His worshippers travel with a lone companion and then one night drown them in the Sellen river, their gods domain. The legends of Hanspur's beginning may explain why Hanspur demands observance of this morbid ritual.
OMG! I could never have written a more fitting character background if I had tried! But now all the players think Kobe deliberately murdered Emmerson in Hanspur's name! Nothing could be further from the truth :-( Well, it makes for some great roleplaying!
I set myself a few guidelines when building Kobe and Emmerson. I wanted to portray them as regular hunting buddies - most players think Kobe is a Ranger, as that's how I've skilled and equipped him, though they're not too sure what to make of Emmerson. We look out for each other, fighting together, and provide each other flanks. Neither Kobe nor Emmerson have stats above 16, the Eidolon stats don't compensate for my Summoner's weaknesses, nothing game-breaking here, just some really cool (if disturbingly creepy) roleplay flavour!
We both have the Fey Foundling feat, +2 per dice on healing, +1 damage from cold iron weapons. This also helps to offset the Eidolon's hit-dice drop due to First Worlder Summoner archetype.
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well the ability to use my natural summon and have my eidolon out at the same time has lead to a lot of enemy cornering. and well... playing a Gnome is always a bit more fun than a human or aasamir. Depending on how the starlight summons thread works out it could even more fun. Having a starlight augmented eagle or (later) panther has me looking forward to things.
Note that most will rule that you cant have eidolon out and summon also. I have played one to 10th level for PFS and agree with this ruling. I know of the arguments that it is written different. if want to use that argument than might want to also note that it does not say you can use SNA as a standard and that it lasts for 1min/level. Just saying.
It is not an arch type for power. It is a great one for RP. Not saying pugwampies havnt been useful to save party members or end the BBEG.|
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Note that most will rule that you cant have eidolon out and summon also. I have played one to 10th level for PFS and agree with this ruling. I know of the arguments that it is written different. if want to use that argument than might want to also note that it does not say you can use SNA as a standard and that it lasts for 1min/level. Just saying.
Yeah this is what I was thinking too.
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You can really cheese with a First World Summoner Eidolon:
Eidolon or master: Crank out UMD
Purchase: Wand of Prayer
Then just summon pugwampis. Every fight... all the time... It's like having misfortune on all the baddies for free. Without a save.
I thought about it, then realized I would get super bored of this pretty quick.