Question about Animate Objects, Summoning and Shadow Conjuration / Shades

[aegrisomnia]

My understanding is that the Summon Monster spells allow only one summoned creature at a time, whereas the Animate Objects spell allows multiple objects simultaneously (depending upon the size and caster level). Furthermore, Shadow Conjuration and Shades can be used to mimic Conjuration (Summoning) spells. A few questions about how these work and interact:

1. If a caster is able to do so, could he cast Animate Objects twice, animating twice as many objects? Based on RAW, I would guess so, although I could see that the RAI are that the number of animated objects be limited (similarly to how animating undead works).

2. Can a caster have a Summon Monster and an Animate Object going at the same time? This sounds legit, just checking.

3. Can a caster have a Summon Monster and a Shadow Conjuration (Summon Monster) or Shades (Summon Monster) going at the same time?

4. Can a caster have a Shadow Conjuration (Summon Monster) and a Shades (Summon Monster) going at the same time?

5. Can you have all these guys going at the same time? I realize that trying to actually do this is of dubious value, but is it allowable if one insists?

Also - I think that calling outsiders works based on HD. How does calling fit into this picture? I assume... that you can't overlap one calling with another calling, but you can overlap it with everything else. Then again, by RAW, maybe you can have a dozen callings going simultaneously?

[Anzyr]

Hrm.. where to start, Summon Monsters can easily get you multiple creatures by just casting it again and you can have as many of those as you can cast Summon Monster and the duration on the previous ones lasts.

1. Yes, you could. Animate Objects has no cap unlike Animate Dead. Throw in Permanency for kicks.

2. Yes you can, of course.

3. Again as above you can have as many Summon Monsters up as desired.

4. Again, Yes.

5. You can have all the Summon Monster, Shades (Summon Monster), Shadow Conjuration (Summon Monster), and etc. up as you can cast / have duration for.

Calling is its own thing. But again its not a 1 at a time thing. You can have as many Called Creatures as you can cast Planar Binding and the duration lasts.

(If you were wondering... yes casters are the strongest class in the game.)

[aegrisomnia]

Anzyr wrote:

Hrm.. where to start, Summon Monsters can easily get you multiple creatures by just casting it again and you can have as many of those as you can cast Summon Monster and the duration on the previous ones lasts.

1. Yes, you could. Animate Objects has no cap unlike Animate Dead. Throw in Permanency for kicks.

2. Yes you can, of course.

3. Again as above you can have as many Summon Monsters up as desired.

4. Again, Yes.

5. You can have all the Summon Monster, Shades (Summon Monster), Shadow Conjuration (Summon Monster), and etc. up as you can cast / have duration for.

Calling is its own thing. But again its not a 1 at a time thing. You can have as many Called Creatures as you can cast Planar Binding and the duration lasts.

(If you were wondering... yes casters are the strongest class in the game.)

Wow, thanks! I was under the mistaken impression that you could only have one casting of Summon Monster in effect at a time. Apparently, upon your word and rereading the spell description myself, I was mistaken. So you can summon stuff until you're out of spells... neat :)

[The Terrible Zodin]

The Summoner class has a restriction when using its SLA to summon. This is the only restriction that multiple summoning has.

When using spells everybody has the option of spamming as they see fit.*

*Disclaimer: the use of spam is meant in a non-judgemental way