Simple (I hope) questions:
Which is better a Conjurer (specialist wizard) or a Unchained Summoner?
- Which is better at low levels?
- Which is better at middle levels?
Which would you rather have in your character party?
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Unchained Summoner will contribute more for the first few levels - until 3rd level spells for the Conjurer, at least. The action economy of the eidolon is excellent, and the eidolon can fulfill a role as melee beat-stick quite well. A Wizard can certainly contribute at those low levels - Color Spray will ruin many encounters at 1st level! - but not enough to make up for the eidolon.
By the time the wizard is dropping fireballs/flys/black tentacles/dim doors/etc, I'd say the wizard.
tl;dr I'd say the uSummoner is better for levels 1-4, similar for levels 5-6, and starting to get outclassed at level 7+. I'd rather have the summoner in my party personally - they may fill 2 roles, but they'll never outclass the rest of the party in narrative power to the extent of a wizard, and I generally find them more interesting. Hope that helps! :)
Unchained Summoner will contribute more for the first few levels - until 3rd level spells for the Conjurer, at least. The action economy of the eidolon is excellent, and the eidolon can fulfill a role as melee beat-stick quite well. A Wizard can certainly contribute at those low levels - Color Spray will ruin many encounters at 1st level! - but not enough to make up for the eidolon.
By the time the wizard is dropping fireballs/flys/black tentacles/dim doors/etc, I'd say the wizard.
tl;dr I'd say the uSummoner is better for levels 1-4, similar for levels 5-6, and starting to get outclassed at level 7+. I'd rather have the summoner in my party personally - they may fill 2 roles, but they'll never outclass the rest of the party in narrative power to the extent of a wizard, and I generally find them more interesting. Hope that helps! :)
It absolutely does. Hopefully, I can get some more opinions
I more or less agree with Arcaian. I'd also point out that I don't regard the chained or unchained Summoner being categorically different in this regard, the chained summoner just keeps parity with wizards for a little bit longer thanks to its better spell list. They both have many of the same qualities that make them great; the combination of spellcasting, the eidolon, and backing it all up with the summoning spell-like ability just creates a really powerful and well-rounded package. The class is just really solid at low levels with far more resources at its disposal than anyone else. For 1st level play, I'd go so far as to say it's the most powerful class in the game by a significant margin. However, this doesn't last and the other classes catch up rapidly. Powerful classes like the wizard overtake it relatively early, and leave it in their dust past this point. The Summoner is still a superb class at 20th level (that Gate SLA is amazing) but it's nowhere near the top-tier classes like the Wizard.
I more or less agree with Arcaian. I'd also point out that I don't regard the chained or unchained Summoner being categorically different in this regard, the chained summoner just keeps parity with wizards for a little bit longer thanks to its better spell list. They both have many of the same qualities that make them great; the combination of spellcasting, the eidolon, and backing it all up with the summoning spell-like ability just creates a really powerful and well-rounded package. The class is just really solid at low levels with far more resources at its disposal than anyone else. For 1st level play, I'd go so far as to say it's the most powerful class in the game by a significant margin. However, this doesn't last and the other classes catch up rapidly. Powerful classes like the wizard overtake it relatively early, and leave it in their dust past this point. The Summoner is still a superb class at 20th level (that Gate SLA is amazing) but it's nowhere near the top-tier classes like the Wizard.
Which would you rather have as a member of your party?
Depends on the party and level composition. As a general statement without further context, both are superb classes and I'd be happy with either.
The Summoner is better at low and mid levels.
"By the time the wizard is dropping fireballs/flys/black tentacles/dim doors/etc"
These spells will not compete with the resource economy, spells and damage output of a Summoner and his Eidolon.
It's only when you start approaching level 10 onwards that a Wizard can match and then exceed if both are well built. When they can constantly use low level spell slots for utility instead of depending on them to be useful in battle.