A few Synthesist Summoner Questions.

[Arch_Bishop]

Drawn from

this:

http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2pnhs?Synthesist-and-circle-of-protection-again st-X

thread, I would like to ask a few things.

First of all how do you handle the above situation. We have lets say an evil Synthesist with his "suit" on and a creature with a Magic Circle against evil on it.

What happens when he tries to go in the circle without having SR to beat the caster? Does he stop at the edge and cannot attack him?Does the eidolon become suppressed while he is in?

And while we are on it. What are the best options to counter a Synthesist? Dismissal or Banishment?

[boring7]

The SRD wrote:

In addition, due to its tie to its summoner, an eidolon can touch and attack creatures warded by protection from evil and similar effects that prevent contact with summoned creatures.

Emphasis mine. "Can't cross this line" is similar to "can't touch this creature." RAW requires interpretation no matter how you slice it, RAI is pretty clear. I mean, if you can beat one why couldn't you beat the other when they're supposed to be the same thing?

Dismissal, Banishment, Holy word or its other-alignment kin. There are counters to that counter in the form of two different magic items (whose names escape me at the moment) that basically lock down anything wearing them with a dimensional anchor effect, at least one of which is specifically for eidolons and mentions banishment and dismissal.

Really, best option to counter a Synthesist is just a pair of well-built martials. Even if the summoner is guaranteed to make all its concentration checks, it can't heal as fast as a well-built barbarian can tear it down.

[Arch_Bishop]

Oh, I haven't really seen that part from the SRD. Thanks!(for all the extra info on how to counter too)

EDit: Although...Someone might argue that there is a difference between attacking/touching and crossing the line. Anyone else's opinion on this??

[Murdock Mudeater]

Arch_Bishop wrote:

First of all how do you handle the above situation. We have lets say an evil Synthesist with his "suit" on and a creature with a Magic Circle against evil on it.

What happens when he tries to go in the circle without having SR to beat the caster? Does he stop at the edge and cannot attack him?Does the eidolon become suppressed while he is in?

And while we are on it. What are the best options to counter a Synthesist? Dismissal or Banishment?

protection from evil, huh?

The spell prevents bodily contact by evil summoned creatures.

You can still throw rocks, or launch spells, or even attempt good role playing to lure them into letting down their guard voluntarily. You just can't touch them.

On a side note, the spell does end if the warded creature touches you, so getting them to attack you works just fine.

Beyond those, dispel magic, or a similar spell, works to punch through the protection.

As for countering the synthesist. it really depends on how they build the eidolon. They have lots options here, not just just a wizard tank as you often hear about.

They count as both the summoner's type and the outsider, so if the summoner is a human, the human bane weapons work just fine. In this respect, the merger weakens them both.

I will note that despite having a bunch of health, the synthesis is weaker than a fighter or barbarian in terms of pure defensive or offensive value. It is much more versatile, but weaker in a focused role.

As an added thing, do note that the eidolon loses all skills and feats due to this fused form ability. Right there in the description for fused form.