To face the summoner is not to face a man, but a legion (alternatively, The Summoniest Summoner)

[Ravingdork]

I'm looking to make a powerful caller of creatures (not necessarily the new summoner class). What are some of the most optimal builds / combos out there for someone who just wants to spam summon spells, augment summoned creatures, and utilize them efficiently in and out of combat?

[Fuzzy-Wuzzy]

Remember you can only have four minions under your control at a time, period. So if you want to cast summons over and over I recommend calling squishies.

[Ravingdork]

Where's that rule at?

I've only ever seen it in reference to specific spells and abilities, not as a general catch-all rule.

[Fuzzy-Wuzzy]

Hmm, I guess the general rule is only stated in the Animate Object and Create Undead rituals, both of which say "You can have a maximum of four minions under your control." I thought it was in the Glossary too, but it isn't---if it's a real rule it certainly should be. I guess I'll mention it in the CRB "more errata" thread, it doesn't seem to have been listed anywhere before.

[cavernshark]

There's a more practical limit: before effortless concentration and quickened casting, you can't get more than one summon out at a time.

Three actions to summon on the first round. Second round, you need to sustain for it to do anything and to keep around. You are therefore locked from summoning another creature.

Your best bet would probably be a conjuration wizard with beastmaster. You'd be able to summon in round 1, and then command an animal and concentrate on your spell. At high enough levels you could get a second creature or a second summon out using the high level beastmaster feats for a second animal companion, or effortless concentration to sustain your spell while summoning a new creature.

[Moppy]

Summons swarm

Gimli: That still only counts as one!

[Ventnor]

At low levels, I'd recommend either starting off as a Witch or multiclassing into the Witch class so that you can pick up the Cackle focus spell. If you intend to have a summoned buddy in most of your battles, having the ability to concentrate as a free action for a round could definitely be helpful if you want to, say, summon a second creature, or cast a spell and then stride to put some distance between yourself and your enemies.

[Timeshadow]

Dont forget you can ritually summon creatures.

[cavernshark]

Ventnor wrote:

At low levels, I'd recommend either starting off as a Witch or multiclassing into the Witch class so that you can pick up the Cackle focus spell. If you intend to have a summoned buddy in most of your battles, having the ability to concentrate as a free action for a round could definitely be helpful if you want to, say, summon a second creature, or cast a spell and then stride to put some distance between yourself and your enemies.

Good call on Cackle. I forgot about that. They also have the Rites of Invocation which let them swap prepared spells for summons. Potentially useful if you're playing this character since you could have some spells prepped and then swap to summoned creatures instead. It would also give you a reusable 1 action ability (depending on patron) to use while you're maintaining two summon spells.