Advice for Summoner 2nd level spell

[BretI]

My summoner in PFS just made it to 6th level and I'm having some problems deciding on which new 2nd level spell to take.

Current 1st level spells:
Feather Fall
Grease
Protection from Evil
Rejuvenate Eidolon, Lesser
Shield (via page of spell knowledge)

Current 2nd level spells:
Evolution Surge, Lesser
Glitterdust
Haste

I like the spell Create Pit except that all my current 2nd level spells are offensive in nature and I've already got Grease which goes against Reflex saves. I'm also thinking that all my current 2nd level spells are offensive in nature so branching out for a defensive or utility spell may be a good idea.

The character already has a Mnemonic Vestment which allows her to use her own spell slots to cast any spell from her spell list if she has a scroll of it. That is how I plan to take care of those special purpose spells.

The spells I've considered are:
Barkskin -- Improved defenses that last a while and can save me money on amulets.
Blur -- Defensive spell I can cast on others, but it has a short duration.
Invisibility -- Most who want it get potions of it and in one more level I could get Greater Invisibility instead.
Resist Energy -- Good utility but almost any spell caster can do this.
Wind Wall -- May be too special purpose, not sure how often I would use it.

I already have scrolls of Glide and See Invisibility and plan to soon get a scroll of Restore Eidolon, Lesser.

I would be interested in other's experiences with Summoners and recommendations on my next 2nd level spell.

Thanks!

[Rosc]

It depends on your Eidolon, really. But assuming you're going with a traditional beatstick, then you're reaching the level Where Barkskin starts to come alive. It isn't as good as Arcane Armor point for point, but AA is a Breakfast Buff anyway.

Invisibility is my pick. I'm playing a Summoner in PFS and it's been quite handy in a few situations. Plus it lasts long enough to pull off some interesting sneaky tricks.

Another decent option would be Create Pit. Glitterdust is great against Will saves, but those strong-minded casters might have problems messing with the party when they're stuck at the bottom of a hole.

Summon Eidolon is worth a special mention, but it's the kind of spell you would have already taken if you figured it was a big deal.

[Blakmane]

Barkskin, Blur or Invisibility. Invis is probably better as potions, but it's never a bad trick and having it on tap lets you invis the whole party. Barkskin is the most reliable and solid. Blur has the same issue as invisibility: displacement is up next level and once you get that, blur is mostly useless.

However, at level 8 you will be able to retrain one of your spells, so if you decide to take invisibility or blur you can retrain them at 8 easily enough.

Personally I would probably end up going for barkskin, but invisibility would certainly be very tempting if you often play with other stealth-enabled characters.

[DeathMvp]

Since I am not in PFS with my summonor it may be very diffrent but Inv has been great for me. I will use that with my summon monster and go around with a wand of CLW my party pays for and heal the fighter even in the middle of the fight while they enermy can not see me.

[Drogos]

After a few deaths/near deaths in upper tier scenarios, I make it a practice to get Resist Energy on all my spontaneous casters. It's a spell that can make a nightmare fight into something that is barely a threat and in those situations, you want to be able to apply it to everyone in the party. For my prepared casters, it's hard to give up a prepared spell.

Barkskin is a basically always useful. I find Blur tends to be so low a thresh hold that the vast majority of hits still make it through. It's good when you've layered it with HP and AC, but it's still only so so.

[Claxon]

Invisibility. Cast on yourself and then spend the fight buffing your eidilon without worry about being attacked.

Barkskin would be my second choice.

[BretI]

Thanks for all the feedback!

My Eidolon isn't really a beatstick. It is more a highly mobile reach weapon -- climb, swim, acrobatics, just picked up nimble moves as a feat. It can do combat, but the summons are just as good in many cases. I can buff it with Lesser Evolusion Surge and Shield which gives me lots of flexibility with it.

I think I'll wait for Greater Invisibility at next level. I haven't seen that many stealthy characters, often my little summoner has the best stealth in the group at +12.

As I said, the problem with Create Pit is that I've already got Grease which works against Reflex saves. You do make an excellent point about breaking line of sight though, there are a number of times that would have been useful.

Thanks for all the feedback! Based on it, I'm thinking that I'll probably take Barkskin. It doesn't have a better version next level like Invisibility, Resist Elements or Blur. It is generally useful for either the other group members or my Eidolon.

Given the feedback, it looks like I should pick up a scroll of Resist Energy and perhaps Invisibility as well, so I can take care of those cases where it is really the perfect spell.

[Some Other Guy]

I would go with whatever you see yourself wanting to cast multiple times per day. In which case, I'd go with Barkskin. Invisibility is useful in certain situations, but Barkskin is something you, or your party members, will want every combat.

[Vahanian 89]

Invisibility is always nice. Oh my Eidolon is down and the party is in trouble.... Peace. *poof* Then you summon monsters to fight for you and hide while invisible!
Barkskin isnt bad but if you can make amulets of nat armor that is always there and you dont have to cast it.
Blur is nice if your a combat summoner. Thats one thing i will be getting.

[Some Other Guy]

Vahanian 89 wrote:

Invisibility is always nice. Oh my Eidolon is down and the party is in trouble.... Peace. *poof* Then you summon monsters to fight for you and hide while invisible!

Barkskin isnt bad but if you can make amulets of nat armor that is always there and you dont have to cast it.
Blur is nice if your a combat summoner. Thats one thing i will be getting.

But that's situationally useful. Just carry a few potions. They last for 3 minutes minimum, which is plenty of time.

[Shane LeRose]

Take create pit and combo with grease. That will be very fun.