Operating as a Synthesist summoner

[harp_on_this]

I've been playing 3.5 and Pathfinder for several years now, and one of my GM's campaign settings is finally coming to a close. So, with a new one coming up soon, everyone is rushing around, trying to come up with new characters and ideas for one.

In the past, I've never played a true magic user, although I have played semi-hybrids (ranger/paladin). For this upcoming campaign, I was considering playing a summoner, as I have long loved the idea of playing something that summmons other things as its main function. I like the idea of casting summoning spells, and all the utility they bring through a huge list of summon-able creatures. While I could play a conjurer or any other class that can cast the Summon Monster/Summon Nature's Ally spells, I also like the idea of having an eidolon that I can customize.

Yesterday though, while browsing through Ultimate Magic, I stumbled upon the Synthesist archetype for summoners. I immediately fell in love with the idea of BEING the eidolon, instead of it just being another monster I can summon.

However, there are a few points in the Fused Eidolon class feature, where the rules are unclear:

1) It states that the eidolon no longer has its own feats, and the summoner instead uses their own feats. It also states that the summoner "gains access to the eidolon's special abilities and the eidolon's evolutions." So, can a summoner acquire feats which focus on improving the capabilities of his eidolon, such as weapon focus for an attack gained through an eidolon's evolution?

2) How does the synthesist acquire an armor bonus to their AC? I get that the summoner can cast spells and such while wearing armor (to a certain extent), but they do not receive the benefits of their armor while fused with their eidolon (see the errata for printing 1 to printing 2). The eidolon can also no longer acquire feats to allow it to use armor, with the class feature "Fused Eidolon". So, do the AC increases to a fused synthesist/eidolon come from increasing his Dexterity modifier bonus and natural armor bonus? And can a synthesist's eidolon no longer receive an armor bonus to AC except through wondrous items?

3) "The eidolon must be at least the same size as the synthesist."
This sentence kind of confuses me. I'm not sure if the designers mean that the eidolon has a minimum size of one equal to that of the synthesist, or that the eidolon must remain at the same size as his synthesist. This alone could affect my decision on whether or not to play a synthesist. After all, playing an elf who seems like your run-of-the-mill wizard one minute, then is suddenly a size Huge tarrasque-like creature the next would be pretty baller.

4) This is a bit more of a general summoner question, but is there a way to shorten the casting time it takes to summon your eidolon? One minute seems a bit much for a synthesist, especially if your eidolon is now the equivalent of your combat gear.

Thanks in advance for any helpful replies.

[GM Arkwright]

1)- Yep
2)- It means you can't wear armor- plate armor, chain mail, etc- while fused. You do however get all of the Eidolon's bonuses to AC, from natural armor or bipedal form or dexterity bonus.
3)- It means you're not allowed to turn from a Medium-sized summoner into a Small-sized eidolon. Going from a Medium-sized summoner into a Large or Huge-sized eidolon is a-ookay.
4)- the Summon Eidolon spell. But note that there is no time limit on summoning your eidolon, so you can keep it up all day

[Kimera757]

Warning: this class will probably make the DM hate your character. It has problems, mainly in being confusing and requiring constant auditing. Depending on your definition of broken, it might be broken too. Sad, as you are clearly interested in the flavor of the class and aren't trying to break the game.

MrHankinson wrote:

1) It states that the eidolon no longer has its own feats, and the summoner instead uses their own feats. It also states that the summoner "gains access to the eidolon's special abilities and the eidolon's evolutions." So, can a summoner acquire feats which focus on improving the capabilities of his eidolon, such as weapon focus for an attack gained through an eidolon's evolution?

Yes. The summoner has constant access to the eidolon's abilities, so you can take such feats. It's not much different from taking Skill Focus (Fly) once you are able to take ranks in the Fly skill.

Quote:

2) How does the synthesist acquire an armor bonus to their AC? I get that the summoner can cast spells and such while wearing armor (to a certain extent), but they do not receive the benefits of their armor while fused with their eidolon (see the errata for printing 1 to printing 2). The eidolon can also no longer acquire feats to allow it to use armor, with the class feature "Fused Eidolon". So, do the AC increases to a fused synthesist/eidolon come from increasing his Dexterity modifier bonus and natural armor bonus? And can a synthesist's eidolon no longer receive an armor bonus to AC except through wondrous items?

The eidolon acts as your armor. You should never wear armor if you're a synthesist, as you don't want there to be any conflicts there. I wouldn't even wear Bracers of Armor. It wouldn't stack with an armor bonus (if you bought one for the eidolon) and depending on the DM might prevent you summoning the eidolon! Your AC will be astonishingly high, so I would avoid any sort of Bracers of Armor, Mage Armor, or anything else like that.

Generally synths boost the natural armor of their eidolon as high as it can go (and it will be high, see my starting comments on "broken"). Note that an Amulet of Natural Armor will stack with this (since it increase any natural armor you already have). An eidolon can gain a regular armor bonus or split between that and natural armor, but you should just take natural armor.

And of course, Dexterity.

Quote:

3) "The eidolon must be at least the same size as the synthesist."

This sentence kind of confuses me. I'm not sure if the designers mean that the eidolon has a minimum size of one equal to that of the synthesist, or that the eidolon must remain at the same size as his synthesist. This alone could affect my decision on whether or not to play a synthesist. After all, playing an elf who seems like your run-of-the-mill wizard one minute, then is suddenly a size Huge tarrasque-like creature the next would be pretty baller.

You can wear a bigger eidolon, but not a smaller one. So yes, you could get a lot bigger when summoning the eidolon.

Quote:

4) This is a bit more of a general summoner question, but is there a way to shorten the casting time it takes to summon your eidolon? One minute seems a bit much for a synthesist, especially if your eidolon is now the equivalent of your combat gear.

Probably, but a synth will wear their armor their entire working day, so being caught without it is pretty rare. If you're attacked while sleeping, well the heavily-armored fighter is in a bad position too as putting on their armor takes a long time as well.

[harp_on_this]

Awesome. Excellent responses guys. I really appreciate how speedy and clear you guys were. Thanks, and may the dice be ever in your favor!

[Buri]

For the minute casting you can play an elf and take that down to a single round with favored class bonuses.

[harp_on_this]

Ah. Much appreciated. I was just going to rely on having the Summon Eidolon spell on hand or in a magic item. Thanks.

[Master of the Dark Triad]

Yay, another one of these threads.