Ok, so I am not really thinking of "tanking" with a summoner...
BUT, I think it would be a neat twist to create a melee-focused summoner. Paired with a beastly eidelon, the two could potentially make a brutal tag-teaming duo! Flank buddies, maneuver experts, etc.
I am wondering if anyone has tried this before, and what advice people have? How would you go about this?
I know for sure that some extensive teamwork feats would really come to good use.
If you want to make a "tank" out of a summoner, just play a synthesis.
The evolution points will allow you to customize your suit of armor into whatever you need. Then you can pickup whatever feats suit you.
Ah yes, but I don't really care for the Synthesist much. Just a personal preference.
I'm not worried about an optimized build, really... just something that is somewhat decent. I just like the flavor of fighting side by side with your eidelon.
Does boon companion apply to eidelons?
If so, it might be worth some level dips into fighter to get those extra feats.
Boon companion does not apply to eidolons. Given the power of eidolons, I don't think that a simple feat should to that.
Have you considered the hunter? They are amazing at tanking with their companions because of all the nifty things teamwork feats do. Outflank and Pack flanking means +4 to hit almost all the time.
You can also use the archetype to get your companion some evolutions.
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no one ever thought the summoner was bad at melee...
it's just you're the Animal Companion in the relationship.
Boon companion does not apply to eidolons. Given the power of eidolons, I don't think that a simple feat should to that.
Have you considered the hunter? They are amazing at tanking with their companions because of all the nifty things teamwork feats do. Outflank and Pack flanking means +4 to hit almost all the time.
You can also use the archetype to get your companion some evolutions.
You make a fair point.
I have considered the Hunter class, but I liked the ability to have a very unique creature as a summoner.
Maybe the Hunter is a better route, however. I think it would probably be significantly stronger combat-wise.
Boon companion does not apply to eidolons. Given the power of eidolons, I don't think that a simple feat should to that.
Have you considered the hunter? They are amazing at tanking with their companions because of all the nifty things teamwork feats do. Outflank and Pack flanking means +4 to hit almost all the time.
You can also use the archetype to get your companion some evolutions.
You make a fair point.
I have considered the Hunter class, but I liked the ability to have a very unique creature as a summoner.
Maybe the Hunter is a better route, however. I think it would probably be significantly stronger combat-wise.
get the archetype that gives you evolution points or what ever.
no one ever thought the summoner was bad at melee...
it's just you're the Animal Companion in the relationship.
Haha, true enough I suppose...
Does that archetype sacrifice any significant Hunter abilities to gain the evolutions?
It replaces it for both the Hunter and the companion?
And the 4 point surge at 8th level. And if your animal companion dies, you get the evolutions.
new hunter-without-companion to dual wield two-handers meta?
It's a touch out of date but it's a concept I've explored before.
Perhaps there will be something in the Summoners Handbook that will be out in a couple days. Otherwise, melee or flank buddy summoner seems like an excellent idea for a new archetype.
I had a suli summoner that wasn't too bad at melee. +2 to STR helped. I had him using a magic morningstar, and he could buff himself if he new he'd be heading into battle. I'd recommend taking full advantage of Use Magic Device, which should be maxed out, and get wands for the buffs you want that aren't on the summoner's spell list.
