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So I've been thinking of the problem of the Synthesist. It's a cool concept, however it breaks because ability score replacements really mess with point buy. It's the reason why polymorph spells provided ability score bonuses, rather than replacements in Pathfinder.
So below I present the Synthesist with one minor tweak. Instead of replacing your physical ability scores, fusion augments those scores.
Unchained Summoner Archetype
Eidoloncer
Fused Eidolon: An eidoloncer summons the essence of a powerful outsider to meld with his own being. The eidoloncer wears the eidolon like translucent, living armor. The eidolon mimics all of the eidoloncer's movements, and the eidoloncer perceives through the eidolon's senses and speaks through its voice, as the two are now one creature. The eidoloncer directs all of the eidolon's actions while fused, perceives through its senses, and speaks through its voice, as the two are now one creature.
While fused with his eidolon, the eidoloncer gains a +2 size bonus to Strength, Dexterity and Constitution. If the eidolon has a biped form the eidoloncer increases the Strength bonus to +4. If the eidolon has a quadruped form the eidoloncer increases the Constitution bonus to +4. If the eidolon has a serpentine form the eidoloncer increases the Dexterity bonus to +4.
The eidoloncer gains the eidolon's hit points as temporary hit points. When these hit points reach 0, the eidolon is killed and sent back to its home plane. The eidoloncer uses the eidolon's base attack bonus, and gains the eidolon's armor and natural armor bonuses and modifiers to ability scores. The eidoloncer also gains access to the eidolon's special abilities and the eidolon's evolutions. The eidoloncer is still limited to the eidolon's maximum number of natural attacks. The eidolon has no skills or feats of its own. The eidolon must be at least the same size as the eidoloncer. The eidolon must have limbs for the eidoloncer to cast spells with somatic components. The eidolon's temporary hit points can be restored with the rejuvenate eidolon spell.
While fused, the eidoloncer loses the benefits of his armor. He counts both as his original type and as an outsider for any effect related to type, whichever is worse for the eidoloncer. Spells such as banishment or dismissal work normally on the eidolon, but the eidoloncer is unaffected. Neither the eidoloncer nor his eidolon can be targeted separately, as they are fused into one creature. The eidoloncer and eidolon cannot take separate actions. While fused with his eidolon, the eidoloncer can use all of his own abilities and gear, except for his armor. In all other cases, this ability functions as the summoner's normal eidolon ability (for example, the eidoloncer cannot use his summon monster ability while the eidolon is present). This ability replaces the class's eidolon ability, bond senses, and life bond.
If the eidoloncer chooses the ability increase evolution, it instead increases the size bonus to a physical ability score. The Eidoloncer may not choose to increase a mental ability with this evolution.
The following class abilities function differently for eidoloncer summoners.
Fused Link (Su): Starting at 1st level, the eidoloncer forms a close bond with his eidolon. Whenever the temporary hit points from his eidolon would be reduced to 0, the summoner can, as a free action, sacrifice any number of his own hit points. Each hit point sacrificed this way prevents 1 point of damage done to the eidolon (thus preventing the loss of the summoner's temporary hit points), preventing the eidolon from being killed and sent back to its home plane. This ability replaces life link.
Shielded Meld (Ex): At 4th level, whenever the eidoloncer is fused with his eidolon, he gains a +2 shield bonus to his Armor Class and a +2 circumstance bonus on his saving throws. This ability replaces shield ally.
Maker's Jump (Sp): At 6th level, whenever the eidoloncer is fused with his eidolon, the eidoloncer can cast dimension door as a spell-like ability using his caster level. This ability only affects the fused eidoloncer and eidolon. The eidoloncer can use this ability once per day at 6th level, plus one additional time per day for every six levels beyond 6th. This ability replaces maker's call and transposition.
Greater Shielded Meld (Ex): At 12th level, whenever the eidoloncer is fused with his eidolon, he gains a +4 shield bonus to his Armor Class and a +4 circumstance bonus on his saving throws. This ability replaces greater shield ally.
Split Forms (Su): At 16th level, as a swift action, the eidoloncer and his fused eidolon can split into two creatures: the eidoloncer and the eidolon. Both have the same evolutions. The eidoloncer emerges in a square adjacent to the eidolon if possible. All effects and spells currently targeting the fused eidoloncer-eidolon affect both the eidoloncer and the eidolon.
The synthesist can use this ability for a number of rounds per day equal to his summoner level. He can end this effect at any time as a full-round action. For the duration of this effect, the eidolon functions as a normal eidolon of the summoner's class level. This ability replaces merge forms.
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I like it. Simple, but interesting change.