planar ally help

[Dabnabit]

I've never used, or seen used, any of the 'calling' spells but I'd like to use them in future.

So for those that have used these spells...are they any good and what does one call?

I was looking at the Bard and noticed there was an ability that used performance to mimic planar ally and that each spell has a HD cap but any extraplanar creature was a legal target, like protean or Archon, for example.
Assuming I want to call for help clearing a dungeon - What should I call?

[Dabnabit]

Are they no planar ally users?

[Scavion]

Which Planar ally do you have?

[Dabnabit]

None, yet.

I don't know where to start. What's a good option? What's a bad option?

[BuzzardB]

I used Summon Planar Ally once in 3.5 as a Cleric of Pelor. I summoned it to help us clear a big ass tomb we knew was full of undead. As per the spell description it is up to the Deity (GM) to decide what gets summoned. To help him out I offered some logical suggestions such as a Hound Archon, but he decided to go with an Asimaar Paladin.

As payment I offered a +1 Heavy Mace, since it fit the suggestion value and would help the Paladin, but she steadfastly refused the offer so I then offered to help her in the future and she agreed.

This worked out well for us both as player and GM because it sort of game him a cool "in" for a planar adventure much later in the game.

[XMorsX]

From Lesser Planar Ally I like Hound Archon for the permanent Magic Circle Agaisnt Evil. Bearded Evil is also nice if you don't need the circle.

From Planar Ally the best choice is probably the Glabrezu Demon for his Wish ability. Power Word Stun and Reverse Gravity also strenghten his case. From good aligned allies there is the Couatl, which is generally mediocre but casts as a 9th lvl Sorceror.

From Greater Planar ally, Marilith Demon is my favorite. As I gain lvls and becomes less relevant I usually switch to Planetar Angel for his spells, which also lose their potency with lvls though.

[Dabnabit]

Thanks, those are great options.

Is it better to go for a tank or a monster with spell-like/spells?

[Cap. Darling]

It is very powerfull and versatile spells, and in good style.
But alot is left up to the GM. The GM and the world he is controlling may have opinions on folks summoning up deamons and binding angels.

I dont know a GM that wouldent make the inhabitants of the lower and higher planes take action against a guy that did what XMorsX suggests. But we all do it differently:)

[Anonymous Visitor 163 576]

Depends on what you have, and what you need. We needed a ranged attacker, and grabbed a branali eladrin, worked like a champ.

[XMorsX]

Planar Ally has two major differences than Planar Binding. The bad news is that it is EXPENSIVE. If you use it all the time you will run out of money. The good news though is that the outsiders don't get pissed at you. Your GM may still handicap you in some way, but you will receive some help, even if it is not what you wanted exactly. And you certainly won't have any vengence and payback issues.