Do animals summoned from Summon Monster spell advance stats?

[Chaotic_easy_going]

Hi,

Mostly all new players - trying to identify stats for monsters in the summon monster spells. We were using the stats from the Druid Animal companion - the question is, does the summoned animal start with better stats - use advanced stats - based on the wizard's level?

The argument was that a level 3 or 4 druid has a stronger dog companion so a level 3 or 4 wiz. must summon a stronger dog.

Is that right? :s

Thanks,

[PhelanArcetus]

Nope.

A higher level wizard has access to more powerful spells; he can cast summon monster II instead of summon monster I, for example. That gives him access to his choice of creatures that are simply more powerful, or more creatures from the list for the weaker spell.

A 3rd level wizard can use a higher level spell slot (and spell), and instead summon a wolf, or 1d3 dogs.

The druid's animal companion upgrades because that single class feature needs to remain survivable (and helpful) as the druid becomes more powerful and faces greater challenges. But the wizard's spell does not; he instead gains access to similar, but better, spells. His summon monster I spell does grow more powerful; the duration and range increase with his caster level, but the power of the creatures he summons does not.

[Chaotic_easy_going]

Great - thanks! :)

[David knott 242]

The only way your summoned creatures can be improved over their original forms is if you have a feat that does that. See Augment Summoning for an example.

[Are]

Be aware that the summon monster spells use the complete Bestiary stats for the animal in question (modified by the fiendish or celestial template as appropriate) - they don't use the animal companion stats.