the summoner handbook (pathfinder)

7/25/2019 The Summoner Handbook (Pathfinder)

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The Summoner's Handbook

(A guide to the Pathfnder Summoner. Feel ree to chime in with suggestions, links, criticisms, etc. The

Summoner's a complicated class and this turned into a LO! hand"ook. #ope $ou fnd it helpul%)

Contents

1. Contents, Rating System, and Links

2. Introduction and Roles

3. Abilities and Races

. Skills and !eats

". Class !eatures and #ulticlassing

$. %idolons

&. S'ells

. Summons

. Items

1*. !A+

Ratings

-is -andbook ill use t-e /olloing rating system0

Red:A/ul.

Purple:#e-.

Black:kay.

Blue:ood.

Cyan:%cellent.

Introduction and Roles

IntroductionSpoiler

4ide-e Summoner is one o/ t-e si ne base classes released in t-e 5at-6nder Ad7anced 5layer8s uide,and it8s 'robably t-e most uni9ue. All t-e ot-er 5at-6nder classes are eit-er straig-t con7ersions o/ 3."classes, or ne combinations o/ eisting mec-anics (t-e racle is basically a s'ontaneous Cleric, t-e:itc- is a modi6ed :i;ard, etc). -e Summoner does somet-ing genuinely ne0 it8s a class /ocusing ona summoned creature, in t-e 7ein o/ !inal !antasy, !ate


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S'ellcasting = Alt-oug- not 9uite u' to t-e le7el o/ a Sorcerer, Summoners are 'oer/ul casters,

es'ecially -en it comes to bu?ng.

Summon #onster = -e backu' to your %idolon.

:eaknesses

S'ell slots = :-ile your s'ell le7els kee' u' sur'risingly ell, s'ell slots are a tig-t resource /oryou.

#ulticlassing = @ou basically can8t.

Summonob almost as ell.

Bu$er

-e Summoners s'ell list -as 'retty muc- e7ery buB s'ell you could e7er ant, and t-e class -as t-euni9ue ability to use 5ersonal range buBs on your %idolon. @our bread=and=butter tactic /or most o/ yourcareer ill be to buB u' your %idolon and send it into combat.

%ebu$er

Alt-oug- Summoners only get a minority o/ t-e arcane debuB and sa7e=or=D s'ells, t-ose t-at t-ey doget are among t-e best in t-e game. @ou s-ould 'robably de7ote about one s'ell 'er s'ell le7el to t-is.

Battle&eld Control

Summoners dont get many EC s'ells, but e7en i/ itll ne7er be your best suit, >ust -a7ing one or toe'ands your o'tions in a battle.

tility Caster

A/ter loading u' on buBs and debuBs and adding in a /e battle6eld control s'ells, youre going to berunning seriously s-ort on s'ells knon. ont try to co7er nic-e utility magic = t-ats t-e >ob o/ t-e're'ared casters. Still, you can bring ands and scrolls /or emergencies, and its sur'rising -o many'roblems can be sol7ed by a ell='laced dimension door.

Skills

@oure not t-e skillmonkey, but Fse #agic e7ice on a C-arisma=based class is still 7ery -andy.

Healer

@ou can -eal your eidolon /rom le7el 1, and once you get a decent F# score you can use a wand ocure light woundsit- a /air c-ance o/ success. 4oe7er, t-is is 7ery muc- a backu' role.

Ranged Combat

@ou can s-oot a crossbo. Fm, t-ats about it.

elee Combat !(ou#


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@es, your EAE isnt com'letely a/ul. @es, you -a7e as many 45 as a druid or cleric. @oure still not amelee 6g-ter. Ey all means go into battle to take a /e sings and gi7e your eidolon t-at G2 to -it, butdont e'ect to accom'lis- muc-.

Races and )bilities

Races

Races !Core#Spoiler4ide

Alt-oug- you can make a decent Summoner it- any o/ t-e 5at-6nder Core Races, some are muc-better at it t-an ot-ers.

A note on !a7oured Class Alternati7es0 At le7el 1, you get to 'ick a /a7oured class, -ic- ill be (unlessyoure an idiot) Summoner. -is gi7es you eit-er G1 45 or G1 skill 'oint eac- le7el. nomes, 4alHings,4al/=%l7es, and 4umans, -oe7er, -a7e t-e ability to ec-ange t-is /or a boost to t-e %idolon instead. I/you mainly 6g-t it- your %idolon rat-er t-an your summons, t-is is a good c-oice.

%*ar+= A 'enalty to your 'rimary casting stat and some armour and ea'on abilities you cant use.5ass.!a7oured Class Alternati7es0 one.

"l+= -e Con 'enalty -urts, but its mostly oBset by t-e Int and e boosts, and you can make someuse o/ t-e %l7en #agic /eature (t-oug- not as muc- as ot-er arcanists). 7erall, t-oug-, t-e bene6ts

>ust dont do you enoug- good.!a7oured Class Alternati7es0 one.

,nome= Eonuses to your 'rimary and secondary stats at a cost o/ a 'enalty to your main dum' stat = agreat dealJ About t-e only draback is t-e slo s'eed.!a7oured Class Alternati7es0 Add G1 45 to t-e %idolon.

Hal+-"l+= 4al/=%l7es make better Summoners t-an you8d t-ink. -e 'rimary racial bonuses are onlya7erage, and Skill !ocus isn8t a great c-oice /or a /eat, but t-e 4al/=%l/8s real selling 'oint is t-e /a7ouredclass alternati7e /ound -ere. At time o/ riting, t-is is t-e only ay in t-e game to get more e7olution

'oints t-an normal /or your le7el.!a7oured Class Alternati7es0 Add G1


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4al/=%l/ and 4uman are 'robably t-e strongest core Summoner races unless you8re going /or a 7erys'eci6c build, so -ere8s a use/ul com'arison beteen t-em, s-oing -at t-ey gi7e you o7er t-e 2*le7els. (Contributed by o-n o-n.)

4al/ el/0 G2 'erce'tion, immune to slee', G2 7s enc-antment, G3=$ to one skill, G*=" e7olution 'oints/or your %idolon.4uman0 G1 /eat, G1=2* skill 'oints, G1=2* -it 'oints /or you or your %idolon.

-e lesson seems to be t-at i/ you ant to make it a 'riority to 'ick u' t-ose etra e7olution 'oints,

take 4al/=%l/. t-erise, 4uman edges it out.

Races !1on-Core 2 Third Party#Spoiler

4ide(Contributed by grarrrg)

#ore 5! a''ro7ed races, -ile t-ey are not in t-e A5, t-ey are on t-e 5!SR.4al/=gre, makes a better Summoner t-an you8d t-ink, and a R%A !lank=Euddy Summoner at t-at, GStr, G2 Con, =2 Int, =2 :is. C-a 'enalty.Ratkin, about t-e same as t-e %l/, same stat bonuses, diBerent 'enalty.Saurian, almost 'er/ect stats, G2 Con, G2 C-a, =2 Int, a G2 atural armor bonus, and #edium si;edmake t-em a good c-oice /or a Hank=ty'e.

I8d rate t-e 4al/=gre as MoodM i/ going Hank=ty'e, MkayM i/ not.Saurians are borderline M%ellentM, but de6nately MoodM, could use more use/ul racial traits, but 3rd'arty, -at are you going to do.Ratkin M#e-M.

3rd 5arty

4ig- oblino, >ust, no. Stat bonuses and 'enalties in all t-e rong 'laces (=2 Str, G e, G2 :is, =2C-a), Racial bonuses are not-ing s'ecial. Rating0 A/ul.

aklingSimilar stat bonuses as ar7es, G2 Str, G2 :is, =2 C-a. Racials bonuses and Racial !eats areinteresting, but seem more geared toard melee 6g-ting. Rating0 A/ul, unless building a !lank=Euddy

Summoner (-ic- still only reac-es MkayM at best)

Li;ard/olkG2 Con, =2 Int are decent stats. Racial bonuses


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4al/=iantG2 Str, G2 :is, =2 e, racials are so=so, notably -as 5oer/ul Euild -ic- is muc- moreuse/ul /or melee=ty'es. Rating0 #e-, not-ing good, not-ing bad.

#aenadG2 any stat, racials are mainly geared toards Rage. Rating0 #e-, not-ing good, not-ing bad.

'-iduanG2 e, G2 :is, =2 C-a, G1 nat armor. -e rest o/ t-e racials aren8t anyt-ing s'ecial. Rating0A/ul.

De'-Same stats as 4alHing, but medium si;e. G1 to (most) sa7ing t-ros, and Eurst o/ S'eed. Rating0ood


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read0 G2 Str, G2 :is, =2 C-a, Acid Resist ", 'ointless %lemental A?nity. Rating0 A/ul.

Stri0 G2 e, =2 C-a, !ly s'eed $*/t. (a7g) Rating0 Eeteen #e-, and ood, de'ending on -o muc-you 7alue !lying (it IS on t-e Summoner class list).

S7ir/neblin0 G2 e, G2 :is, =2 Str, = C-a, G2 odge bonus to AC, S'ell Resistance. Rating0 A/ul (=C-aQ)

Syl'-0 G2 e, G2 Int, =2 Con, %lectricity Resist ", 'ointless %lemental A?nity (2 more and e can

summon Ca'tain 5ointlessJ). Rating0 #e-.

engu0 G2 e, G2 :is, =2 Con, 7arious minor racials. Rating0 #e-.

ieHing0 G2 e, G2 Int, =2 C-a, Cold

%e3terity

Armour class, initiati7e, ReHe sa7e, and t-e odd ranged attack. @our t-ird most im'ortant stat.Recommended score0 12=1.

Constitution

4it 'oints = enoug- said. @our second most im'ortant stat.Recommended score0 12=1.

Intelligence

:-ile none o/ your class /eatures are based oB Intelligence, its t-e 'rimary stat /or S'ellcra/t and

se7eral ot-er skills, and you -a7e a decent skill list to take ad7antage o/. Since your base skill alloanceis only 2 'oints, e7ery bit o/ Intelligence bonus -el's.Recommended score0 1*=12.

Wisdom

Sure, a -ig- :ill sa7e is nice, but un/ortunately t-is stat gi7es you >ust about not-ing else.Recommended score0 =1*.

Charisma

@our 'rimary ability, keying to your casting as ell as your uses 'er day o/ summon monsterand many


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o/ your skills. @ou can manage it- a lo C-arisma, but i/ you ant to make good use o/ debuBs andsummons, youll ant it as -ig- as you can get.Recommended score0 1"=1&.

)lternate BuildsSpoiler

4ide-e abo7e recommendations /or Roles and Abilities assume a 8traditional8 summoner, relying on yoursummoned creatures and your s'ells. 4oe7er, since summoners aren8t -ea7ily de'endent on any one

ability score, you can build t-em in 9uite diBerent ays and still be eBecti7e. 4ere are some alternatebuild suggestions contributed by 'osters0

!lank Euddy Summoner (by grarrrg)

Instead o/ using Strengt- as your dum'stat, boost it u' and get a good ea'on to turn yoursel/ into asecondary melee c-aracter, t-en go into combat alongside your %idolon. 8Smas-y8 races like 4al/=greand 4al/=rc are best /or t-is. -e ma>or eakness o/ t-is tactic is t-at i/ t-e enemy s you, your%idolon 7anis-es as ell. Still, it can do a lot to increase your damage out'ut at lo le7els, and onceyou get to -ig-er le7els you can take t-e #ount e7olution, 'ick u' #ounted Combat, and ride into battleon your %idolon8s back.

Constitution Summoner (by o-n o-n)

-e idea -ere is to boost your 45 as -ig- as 'ossible. 5ut your -ig-est stat into Constitution (C-arismasecond=-ig-est) t-en take oug-ness and use items and stat bum's to increase your Constitution e7en/urt-er. Ey le7el 1* you can -a7e as muc- as "* 45 more t-an a standard Summoner, making you muc--arder to knock belo * 45 (-ic- in turn 're7ents your %idolon /rom being dismissed). In ec-angeyou take a slig-t -it to your s'ellcasting ca'ability.

Stealt- Summoner (by >ames maissen)

4ere t-e Summoner takes a su''ort role. Start it- t-e 4alHing race, and take t-e Si/t as S-adosalternate racial trait. #a Stealt- (t-e 4ig-lander trait /rom 'age 332 o/ t-e A5 makes it as a classskill), take Skill !ocus (Stealt-) and 4ellcat Stealt- and take In7isibility early, and you -a7e a summonert-at can8t be /ound easily. Stay -idden and mo7ing, and kee' dro''ing summoned monsters on your

enemies.

Skills and 4eats

Skills

,eneral PointsSpoiler

4ideSummoners get 7ery /e skill 'oints 'er le7el. @ou8ll 'robably only be able to aBord t-ree maed=outskills, /our at t-e most. 5ick a /e skills to s'ecialise in and stick it- t-em, -ile 'utting 1 rank intoot-ers to make t-e most o/ t-e G3 rained bonus. In most cases you8ll be best oB maing out S'ellcra/tand F#.

A good ay to make your limited skill 'oints go /urt-er is to rely on your %idolon. %idolons get to 'ickse7eral class skills to add to t-eir list, so i/ your %idolon is going to be maing, say, Sense #oti7e,t-ere8s not muc- 'oint in you doing t-e same. Sa7e your skill 'oints /or stuB like S'ellcra/t -ere onlyyou can eBecti7ely make use o/ it.

Class SkillsSpoiler

4ideCra+t= !un but not 7ery eBecti7e. @our Int on8t be -ig- enoug- to make eBecti7e use o/ t-is t-e ay ai;ard can.


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4ly= @ou on8t ant any 'oints in t-is to begin it-, but it gets im'ortant at -ig-er le7els. @ou s-ouldstart 'utting ranks in it as you a''roac- le7el 1*, -ere you get access to 7erland !lig-t and t-eAs'ect class /eature.

Handle )nimal= eys oB C-arisma. Can be -andy /or 'ersuading summoned animals to do t-ings.

5no*ledge= Anot-er 8'ut one rank into it t-en /orget about it8 skill. i7en t-e kind o/ t-ings you8relikely to deal it-, noledge (arcana) and noledge ('lanes) are good 'icks.

6inguistics= t-is is ort- taking. :-ile you can communicate it- your %idolon easily, many o/ t-ecreatures on t-e summon monsterlist only understand s'eci6c, obscure languages like erran. 5lana-ead and make sure you can s'eak t-e summoned monster8s language E%!R% you need to tell it

somet-ing.

Pro+ession= Ele-.

Ride= I/ you8re going /or a #ount eidolon build (see 'ost $), t-is is essential. I/ not, it8s decidedly meh.

Spellcra+t= Identi6es s'ells, identi6es items, and also t-e key skill /or item creation. #a t-is.

se agic %e7ice= F# on a C-arisma=based c-aracterQ :AJ #a it.

Cross-Class SkillsSpoiler

4ide)crobatics= Sure, it8s use/ul, but you don8t really ant to get into t-e kind o/ situations -ere youneed it.

Blu$= @ou87e got t-e C-arisma /or it, and it comes u' o/ten enoug- to be ort--ile. Can be made intoa class skill it- t-e !ast=alker trait.

%iplomacy= 5robably t-e most use/ul social skill, and good /or con7incing your summons to do t-ings.Can be made into a class skill it- t-e %ase o/ !ait- or :orld ra7eller traits.

Perception= 5robably t-e single most=rolled skill in t-e game, and ort- taking /or t-at reason alone.@our %idolon is 'robably a better detector t-an you, t-oug-.

Stealth= Fse/ul i/ you8re 'lanning to try t-e 8in7isible summoner8 trick. Eetter /or nomes and 4alHings,ob7iously.

4eats

-ese ratings a''ly to t-e summoner. %idolon /eats are co7ered in 'ost $. nly /eats t-at a summonercan 9uali/y /or ill be included, since t-ere8s ob7iously not muc- 'oint rating /eats like %tra i andCommand Fndead.

Core 4eats !,eneral#Spoiler

4ide)crobatic= o.)crobatic Steps= I/ you ant to by'ass di?cult terrain, get Hig-t magic.)lertness= ust a notc- abo7e 8bad8 since 5erce'tion8s t-e most commonly rolled skill in t-e game. Stillnot 'articularly good.)nimal )8nity= o.


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)rmour Pro&ciency9 edium= Lose your ability to cast s'ells in ec-ange /or 1 ACJ)thletic= o.)ugment Summoning= @ou ant t-is. %7en i/ it doesn8t do anyt-ing to boost your %idolon, it makes abig diBerence to t-e 'oer o/ your summons. ote t-at it8s not com'letely clear /rom t-e rules -et-erit orks on (S') abilities, but gi7en t-at t-ere are literally ot-er /eats t-at boost your summons, onlya really -ars- # ould bar you /rom a''lying it.Combat Casting= It8s not t-at it8s EA or anyt-ing, it8s >ust t-at you s-ould usually -a7e your eidolonin beteen you and t-e bad guys. I/ you do get caug-t in melee, t-ere8s a good c-ance t-at yourres'onse ill not be to cast a s'ell.

%eceit+ul= o.%e+t Hands= Still no.%iehard= ot ort- to /eats."ndurance= ot ort- one /eat."sche* aterials= ust carry an etra s'ell com'onent 'ouc-.4leet= 4ig-er s'eed is nice, but it8s not ort- a /eat slot.,reat 4ortitudetree = ake it i/ you really can8t t-ink o/ anyt-ing more interesting to 'ick.,reater Spell 4ocus !Conuration#= 5robably o7erkill, but not a bad c-oice.Impro7ed Counterspell= @ou can get some use out o/ it, but you don8t -a7e t-e s'ell slots to kee' u'a s'ell duel.Iron Willtree = ull, but not terrible.6eadership= %cellent /or all classes, but doubly so /or you it- your -ig- C-arisma score. #any #sban it by de/ault, so c-eck to make sure your #8s okay it- you controlling t-ree c-aracters 'lus an

army o/ mooks.6ightning Re/e3estree = @ea-, it8s okay, no, it8s not t-at interesting.agical )ptitude= I/ you8re going to take one o/ t-e G2


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/airly eBecti7e ay to boost your damage it- it.%e+ensi7e Combat Training= 5ass, unless you R%ALL@ need t-at etra cou'le 'oints o/ C#.%odgetree = @ou8re not t-e tank."3otic Weapon Pro&ciency= I/ anyone can t-ink o/ a good use /or t-is in a Summoner build, tell me.Impro7ed Initiati7e= @ou kno t-e drill, going 6rst is good.Impro7ed narmed Striketree = o not ant.ounted Combattree (#ounted Arc-ery, Ride=Ey Attack, ram'le, etc) = An eidolon can make /or a7ery eBecti7e mount, and t-is is ort- considering /or a Small=si;ed summoner. -e #ount eidolon buildis discussed in 'ost $.

Point Blank Shottree (Ra'id S-ot, 5recise S-ot, etc) = I/ you8re going t-e arc-ery route, you8ll antt-is. ot a terrible c-oice.Po*er )ttacktree = Fnless you8re a 4al/=gre, t-is is /or your %idolon, not you.


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Cra+t Wondrous Item= o t-is is more like it. Lots o/ ecellent items -ere at 7ery manageable cra/tCs. A strong contender /or your 3rd or "t- le7el /eat.4orge Ring= @ou only -a7e to ring slots, but t-ere are some 7ery 'oer/ul rings out t-ere. :ort-considering.Scribe Scroll= It8ll sa7e you a bit o/ gold, but Cra/t :ondrous Item ill 'robably sa7e you more. Still,e7ery little -el's.

)d7anced Player's ,uide 4eats !,eneral#Spoiler

4ide!rom -ere on, t-e only /eats included ill be t-ose rated blackand abo7e.

)dditional Traits= raits are -andy, and getting to more can be ort- a /eat i/ you 'ick t-e goodones (etra initiati7e, G1 to sa7es, making somet-ing a class skill, etc)."3panded )rcana= t-is is a good one. It gi7es you an etra s'ell knon, to i/ you 'ick ones beloyour maimum le7el. Nery -andy /or t-e mid=le7els -ere you -a7e more good s'ells t-an you -a7es'ells knon slots.Impro7ed Share Spells= -is /eat -as -ig- 'rere9uisites and -ea7y restrictions, but t-e ability tos-are a buB is still 7aluable.Summoner's Call= -e only summoner=s'eci6c /eat in t-e A5 is, sadly, a bit mediocre. -e 1*=minuteduration means t-at i/ you ant to kee' t-is on you8ll -a7e to s'end 1 minute out o/ e7ery 11t-roug-out t-e day resummoning your eidolon. It8s not e7en t-at big a bonus, eit-er.

Trick Riding= I/ you8re going t-e #ounted Combat route, t-is is ort- considering.

)d7anced Player's ,uide 4eats !etamagic#Spoiler

4ideLots o/ good metamagic /eats to take as rods -ere. Reach Spellis 'articularly good, as it allos you tobuB your eidolon at a distance. "ctoplasmic Spell, Persistent Spell, and Selecti7e Spellare alsoell ort- t-e gold. A lesser rod o/ %a=ingcombos great it- :all o/ !ire (-ic- only Summoners canuse a lesser rod on).

Class 4eatures and ulticlassing

Class 4eatures - Primary

Spoiler4ide

"idolon= ne o/ t-e to main strengt-s o/ t-e class.

Spellcasting= -e ot-er. @ou8re a /ull caster, e7en i/ you don8t -a7e t-e endurance o/ a :i;ard orSorcerer.

Summon onster= In 'ractice, you8ll usually use t-is as a backu' to your %idolon, eit-er because your%idolon8s eit-er been killed or inca'acitated /or t-e day, or -en you don8t -a7e time to summon it. Itsays somet-ing about -o good t-e %idolon is t-at a standard=action Summon #onster is usually t-eless 'oer/ul c-oice.

Class 4eatures - Secondary

Spoiler4ide

6i+e 6ink= -e ability to sacri6ce 45 to kee' t-e %idolon ali7e is use/ul, and t-e ability to by'ass t-eProtection rom & s'ells gi7es your %idolon a leg u' o7er ot-er summons. -e distance restrictions-ouldn8t usually be a 'roblem = you8ll rarely 6g-t at a distance o/ o7er 1** /eet, and i/ you do, you cansim'ly /ollo your %idolon and kee' it in range. ust don8t /orget about itJ

Bond Senses = A rat-er odd and etremely s-ort=duration ability. I can8t t-ink o/ muc- use /or it, but Iguess t-ere -as to be somet-ing.

Shield )lly= !ree bonuses are alays nice, but t-is is -am'ered slig-tly by t-e /act t-at i/ your%idolon8s in melee, you 'robably don8t ant to be net to it.


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aker>s Call= !ree tele'orts are nice, e7en i/ you don8t get many o/ t-em. -ere are some neat tricksyou can do it- t-is.

Transposition= %'and your o'tions it- #aker8s Call. ot bad.

)spect= -e ability to add an e7olution to your c-aracter o'ens u' a lot o/ 'ossibilities (t-e :ingsc-oice is es'ecially good) but eac- e7olution 'oint you si'-on oB makes your %idolon t-at muc- eaker.

-ink about t-is one care/ully.

,reater Shield )lly= #uc- better t-an S-ield Ally, no your %idolon can buB t-e rest o/ t-e melee6g-ters in t-e 'arty as long as t-ey stay near it.

6i+e Bond= o your Li/e Link orks bot- aysJ reat ability, 're7enting enemies /rom taking out your%idolon by attacking you.

erge 4orms= -is is a eird one. @ou get to merge it- your %idolon and eBecti7ely disa''ear. Nerys-ort duration, t-oug-. I guess it could ork as an esca'e ability. I/ anyone can t-ink o/ a good use /ort-is, tell me.

,reater )spect= #uc- better t-an As'ect, no you get your %idolon8s e7olution 'oints at a to=to=onediscount.

T*in "idolon= MAa-J -ere8s to o/ t-emJM ill 'robably be your #8s res'onse to t-is. -e /act t-atit8s a 2*t-=le7el ability means you8ll 'robably ne7er get to use t-is, but it8s an aesome ca'stone.

ulticlassingSpoiler

4ideAs a summoner, you don't multiclass? "7er?o, not e7en t-en.Allo/ your %idolon8s abilities, not tomention your Summon #onster ability, key oB your classle7el, not your characterle7el. -is meanst-at e7ery le7el in anot-er class is a le7el o/ lost ad7ancement /or to out o/ your t-ree 'rimary class/eatures. -ere is literally not-ing you can get /rom multiclassing t-at8s ort- t-at.

"idolons"idolon Basics

Ho* 1atural )ttacks WorkSpoiler

4ide-e rules /or natural attacks can be /ound -ere. 4ere8s a condensed 7ersion.

Primary natural attacksuse t-e eidolon8s /ull Ease Attack Eonus and add t-e eidolon8s /ull Strengt-bonus to damage.Secondary natural attacksare made at a =" 'enalty to -it and add only -al/ t-e eidolon8s Strengt-bonus to damage.I/ t-e eidolon -as only one natural attack, t-is is treated as a 'rimary natural attack t-at adds 1 and

1


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5incers).#ost attacks re9uire a MbaseM e7olution (4ead


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7arious %7olutions t-at a''ly only to certain ty'es o/ attacks (5oisonust in case.

"idolon 4eats


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Spoiler4ide

4ere8s a 7ery brie/ o7er7ie o/ good /eats to take /or your %idolon. nly t-e standouts ill be included(rated blackand abo7e).

)bility 4ocus:ake t-is i/ you go /or t-e 5oison e7olution.Blind-4ighttree0 Combos ell it- Scent, remorsense, or Elindsense.Combat Re/e3es:%idolons -a7e se7eral ays o/ getting Reac-, and t-is lets you take maimumad7antage o/ it.

%a=ing )ssault:Erutal i/ it orks, but at a -ig- cost.%ouble Slice:!or ali builds."ldritch Cla*s:#ake your natural ea'ons sil7er. ood i/ your cam'aign includes a lot o/ lycant-ro'esor de7ils."3otic Weapon Pro&ciency:An alternati7e to #artial :ea'on 5ro6ciency /or t-e s'iked c-ain /ans.Impro7ed Critical:ot bad /or an attack you8re going to use a lot. Re9uires EAE G, t-oug-.Impro7ed 1atural )ttack:Re9uires G EAE, but t-is is an almost automatic 'ick /or most %idolons.Impro7ed Initiati7e:e7er a bad c-oice.6unge:Reac- is good, and t-is gi7es you yet anot-er ay to boost it. Re9uires EAE G$.artial Weapon Pro&ciency:An automatic 1st=le7el c-oice /or slugger builds, and a use/ul backu' onot-ers, too. Carrying a greatsord in a /e diBerent materials can be a li/esa7er i/ you run intosomet-ing it- R.ulti*eapon 4ighting:-e signature /eat o/ t-e ali build.

Po*er )ttack:A great ay to boost damage at lo le7els. @ou8ll ant t-is on almost e7ery %idolonbuild.Step p:C-ase don casters or arc-ers -o try to ste' aay.Toughness:#ore 45 is ne7er a bad t-ing, but t-e reduced 4 o/ t-e %idolon makes t-is less use/ult-an it could -a7e been.Weapon 4ocus:A G1 to -it is alays use/ul, i/ not t-at eciting.

The Three 6a*s o+ "7olutionSpoiler

4ide-e 5ackages belo go into more detail, but t-ese are t-e general rules to /ollo -en you8re buildingyour %idolon.

@? Primary ,ood9 Secondary Bad:Alays take 'rimary natural attacks o7er secondary ones, unlessyou8re ielding a ea'on.A? Reach is 5ing:Ei'ed, %nlarge, Lunge, reac- ea'on, Reac- e7olution = get as many as you canaBord to make your reac- as -ig- as you 'ossibly can.? ,o 6arge:-e Large e7olution gi7es you a great Strengt- boost as ell as ot-er bene6ts. ake it att-e 6rst o''ortunity.

"idolon Packages

-ere are countless combinations o/ e7olutions and /eats /or an %idolon. Instead o/ rating eac- e7olutionindi7idually, t-is guide ill gi7e you ideas /or %idolon 8'ackages8O sets o/ suggested e7olutions and /eatst-at ork 'articularly ell toget-er. As you le7el u', 'ick etra ones /rom t-e list, or branc- out into adiBerent 'ackage. In all cases, take t-e Large e7olution as soon as 'ossible.

-ese 'ackages co7er oBensi7e 'oer only0 /or de/ense and utility, o'en t-e 8t-er %7olutions8 s'oilerat t-e end o/ t-is 'ost.

Pouncer !Cat 4orm#Spoiler

4ideEase !orm0 +uadru'ed%7olutions0 Clas, 5ounce, Rake, Rend, %nergy Attacks, Limbs (arms) K etra Clas, Ability Increase(Strengt-), Im'ro7ed amage (Clas)!eats0 5oer Attack, Im'ro7ed atural Attack, Lunge


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-is build re7ol7es around getting lots o/ natural attacks, stacking etra damage onto t-em (/romenergy attacks, 5oer Attack, and a -ig- Strengt-), t-en unloading t-em all on an enemy it- 5ounce.Nery straig-t/orard and 7ery -ig- 6rst=round damage 'otential. e'endent on getting oB t-at c-arge,so make sure you identi/y t-e kinds o/ t-ings t-at can 're7ent c-arges and neutralise t-em (e.g. gi7et-e %idolon Hig-t so it can c-arge o7er di?cult terrain, and 'osition yoursel/ in t-e marc-ing order sot-at 'arty members on8t obstruct you). @our main eakness ill be amage Reduction0 since youde'end u'on landing lots o/ -its e7en a small amount o/ R ill cri''le your damage out'ut.

Ripper !Bear 4orm#

Spoiler4ide

Ease !orm0 Ei'ed%7olutions0 Eite, Reac- (Eite), Reac- (Clas), Im'ro7ed amage (Eite), Im'ro7ed amage (Clas),Ability Increase (Strengt-), and as many ot-er natural attacks as you -a7e t-e 'oints /or.!eats0 5oer Attack, Im'ro7ed atural Attack, Lunge

Nery similar to t-e 5ouncer, t-is build /ocuses around maimising Strengt- and Reac-. It s-ould do moredamage t-an t-e 5ouncer on a /ull attack due to its -ig-er starting Strengt- score, but it8ll -a7e moretrouble getting /ull attacks due to lack o/ 5ounce. Again, amage Reduction is a ma>or 'roblem.

Chomper !%og 4orm#Spoiler

4ideEase !orm0 +uadru'ed or Ei'ed%7olutions0 Eite, Im'ro7ed Eite, Im'ro7ed amage (Eite), Reac- (Eite), Ability Increase (Strengt-), ri'(Eite), 5oison (Eite)!eats0 5oer Attack, :ea'on !ocus (Eite), Im'ro7ed atural Attack, Combat ReHees


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ount !ounted Combat 4orm#Spoiler

4ideEase !orm0 +uadru'ed%7olutions0 #ount, ot-erise as 5ouncer!eats0 As 5ouncer

Fsing your %idolon as a mount -as ad7antages0 you ne7er -a7e to orry about getting out o/ range o/

Li/e Link, you8ll alays be in range o/ its S-ield Ally, and you can 'rotect your %idolon it- #ountedCombat. #ake your Strengt- score -ig-er t-an most Summoners and take #artial :ea'on 5ro6ciency(Lance) /or 2 damage on a c-arge. -e combination o/ a 'ouncing c-arge /rom your %idolon and alance -it /rom you is utterly let-al and ill o/ten end 6g-ts in a single round, but t-e big eakness o/t-is tactic is t-at it e'oses you to attack. 5ick u' Im'ro7ed S-are S'ells once you get to -ig-er le7elsto make better use o/ your buBs.

5ali !)5) 'Baby Hecatoncheires'#Spoiler

4ideEase !orm0 +uadru'ed or Ei'ed%7olutions0 Limbs (Arms), Limbs (Arms), Limbs (Arms), Limbs (Arms), Limbs (Arms), Ability Increase(Strengt-)

!eats0 #artial :ea'on 5ro6ciency (lig-t ea'on), #ultiea'on !ig-ting, ouble Slice

A lot o/ %idolon builds end u' looking 'retty ridiculous, but t-is one takes t-e cake. Add as many 'airs o/arms as you -a7e t-e 'oints /or, t-en take #artial :ea'on 5ro6ciency (S-ortsord) or similar and atc-your %idolon ginsu e7eryt-ing in its ay. @ou can go /or a Ei'ed /or a ali lookalike, or take +uadru'edit- 5ounce to make some kind o/ demented centi'ede. @ou8ll be rolling a cra;y number o/ attacks, butany amount o/ R ill kill you and e9ui''ing your %idolon it- t-at many good 9uality ea'ons illdri7e you bankru't. Still, it looks scary as -ell.

Combo BuildsSpoiler

4ide-ere8s absolutely not-ing sto''ing you /rom combining elements /rom to or more o/ t-e abo7e

'ackages, and in /act in some cases it8s essential (#ount it- 5ounce, Constrictor it- anyt-ing,Slugger it- anyt-ing). ood e7olutions to di' are Eite=Reac-=ri' and 5ounce=Rake=Rend, and #artial:ea'on 5ro6ciency is alays use/ul.

.ther "7olutionsSpoiler

4ideIn 'ractice, unless you8re 'laying a Slugger build, you8ll ne7er -a7e enoug- e7olution 'oints /or all t-eattacks you ant, meaning you8ll 'robably end u' skim'ing on de/ensi7e and utility e7olutions. Still, i/you -a7e a /e 'oints s'are, it8s ort- 'icking some u'.

1=5oint %7olutions

Climb:-e c-ea'est ay o/ getting oB t-e ground. ood /or #ounted builds, as t-e %idolon can bringyou along it- it.,ills:Nery situational. 5robably only ort- it /or an a9uatic cam'aign.Impro7ed 1atural )rmour:G2 AC /or 1 e7olution 'oint is a good deal. Stack it it- #age Armour,ob7iously. Con/usingly ritten = see t-e !A+.agic )ttacks:7ercoming R


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radar unit o/ t-e 'arty, and you can e7en make your %idolon into a 'assable rogue by taking t-is /orStealt- and isable e7ice.S*im:again, t-is is /or a9uatic cam'aigns.

2=5oint %7olutions

4light:!lig-t is good, and you ant it. -e only 9uestion is -et-er you ant to s'end t-e 'oints ont-is, or >ust use 7erland !lig-t instead.Immunity:%cellent -en it a''lies, and ort- considering at -ig-er le7els -ere energy attacks start

to get /re9uent and dangerous. Still, it mig-t be better to >ust use Lesser %7olution Surge.Tremorsense:-e net u' on t-e detection tree, t-is lets you automatically 'in'oint enemies on t-eground.

3=5oint %7olutions

Blindsense:I/ you ant a senses e7olution, trade u' to t-is /rom remorsense once Hying enemiesbecome common.Burro*:In most cases Hig-t is better.%amage Reduction:R is ne7er a bad t-ing to -a7e, but 3=" 'oints is a lot to 'ay. Eoosting AC is'robably more e?cient.4right+ul Presence:oesn8t ork on enemies it- more 4 t-an t-e %idolon, -ic- dangerousenemies ill almost alays -a7e.

Web:oo e'ensi7e, and too easy /or enemies to get loose.

=5oint %7olutions

Blindsight::ould be good i/ it didn8t re9uire Elindsense. & e7olution 'oints is too muc-.Breath Weapon:1


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Attack0 reatsord G" (2d$G$)EuBs to Fse0 #age Armour, %nlarge 5erson

-e o''osite etreme /rom t-e 5ouncer, t-is maimises t-e -itting 'oer o/ a standard attack. :-en%nlarged t-is boasts a greatsord strike dealing an im'ressi7e 3d$G& damage out to a 1"=/oot reac-.Lo AC, t-oug-, so you8ll need to use its reac- to take /ull ad7antage o/ Aos.

Ripper !@st-6e7el#Spoiler

4ide!orm0 Ei'ed%7olutions (etra)0 Eite (1), Ability Increase (Strengt-, 2)!eats0 5oer AttackAC0 13Attack Routine (it- 5oer Attack)0 Eite G (1d$G$) and 2 clas G (1dG)EuBs to Fse0 #age Armour, %nlarge 5erson

I/ you >ust ant to maimise damage on a /ull attack, t-is is t-e %idolon to use. A glass cannon build =one /ull attack ill almost certainly kill an enemy, but it-out any source o/ 5ounce or /ree mo7ement,getting t-at /ull attack mig-t be di?cult.

5iller Centaur !@Dth-6e7el#

Spoiler4ide

-is is an eam'le o/ -at a really nasty -ig-er=le7el %idolon can look like. It8s a -ybrid o/ t-e 5ouncerand Slugger 'ackages, designed as an al'-a=strike build ca'able o/ killing a good /raction o/ le7el=a''ro'riate enemies in one round.

-e stats belo assume t-e /olloing all=day buBs are acti7e0 #age Armour, reater #agic !ang,7erland !lig-t (all last 1* -ours at CL 1*). -e %idolon carries to magic items0 a ( greatswordand a"elt o strength ). (In 'ractice it ould -a7e /ar more items and 'robably some etra buBs like4eroism.)

!orm0 +uadru'ed450 &$ (d1*G32)

AC0 2 (G3 e G12 A G armour =1 si;e)Initiati7e0 G3S'eed0 * /t, Hy * /t.Ability Scores0 Str 2 (3*) e 1$ Con 1& Int & :is 1* C-a 11Sa7es0 !ort G Re/ G :ill G2


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a7erage c-ance o/ 1=round=killing a monster t-at8s su''osed to be a c-allenge /or an entire 'arty is/airly im'ressi7e.

Sample Builds !Reader Contributions#

4lank Buddy !@st 6e7el#= *ontri"uted "$ +l$aSpoiler

4ide

!orm0 9uadru'edAC0 1 (23 it- mage armor, stacking 2& s-ield)Initiati7e0 G3S'eed0 *8Si;e0 SmallAbility Scores0 U1* 1$ 13 & 1* 11TC-osen Skills0 UAcrobatics(1)T G1", USleig-t o/ 4and(1)T G&, U2 ot-ersTEase Skills0 U5erce'tion(1)T G12, UStealt-(1)T G11!eats0 odge (1st)%7olutions (base)0 bite, limbs(legs), limbs(legs)%7olutions (etra)0 Skilled(Acrobatics)(1), Skilled(5erce'tion)(1), Im' at Armor(1)Attack Routine0 Eite G2 (1dG*)

otes0 -is build alks 'oint. 4e -as t-e best 'erce'tion bonus o/ anyone in t-e 'arty. I/ -e sets oB atra' t-at does more t-an 1"=2* 'oints damage, -e ill be back tomorro, it- a -ango7er, instead o/dead. In a battle, -e uses acrobatics to mo7e t-roug- t-reatened s9uares it- near immunity to getinto Hank. Readying to aid anot-er once a com'atriot mo7es to t-eir Hank 'osition, t-en 'er/orms AidAnot-er so t-e com'atriot gets a combined G to t-eir attack. 4e doesn8t take :ea'on !inesse,because /eats cannot be sa''ed out -en -e transmogri6es into a strengt- based attacker later.odge is alays nice, but 'ick a /eat t-at ill be use/ul t-roug-out -is career. 4e is not t-e kill stealingstar o/ t-e s-o. 4e makes e7eryone elses >obs sa/er and easier.

Accom'anying Summoner0Str 1$, C-a 12, 4eirloom reatsord, does 2d$G damage, it- eit-er G", G& or G to -it. S'ells0S-ield, %'editious Retreat. I/ t-e 'arty doesn8t -a7e 'lanning or sur'rise, neit-er s'ell is a re9uiredcast. Eut, -en you -a7e t-e timing ad7antage, t-ey are 9uite use/ul. -is summoner s-ould be built

/or 6g-ting.5!S0 A/ter t-e 1st, module, 'ick u' a and o/ #age Armor /or 25A. 2nd module, Lesser Re>u7enate%idolon.

ounted %ragon-In-Training !@st-@Dth le7el#= *ontri"uted "$ TorinathSpoiler

4ide@st-le7el:U#ounted (a.k.a. ragon in=trainingT!orm0 U9uadru'edTAC0 1 (1* Ease, G2 A, G2 e)Initiati7e0 G2S'eed0 *

Ability Scores0 UStr 1$ e 1 Con 13 Int & :is 1* C-a 11TSkills0 Acrobatics G$, !ly G$, Stealt- G$, 5erce'tion G,!eats0 5oer Attack (1st)%7olutions (base)0 Eite, Limbs(legs)2%7olutions (etra)0 Ability Increase(Str)(2), #ount(1)Attack Routine0 Eite G3 (1d$G")otes0 :it- a 4uman it- #:5(Lance) and #ounted Combat and %nlarge 5erson on t-e %idolon.

Eth le7el:U#ounted (a.k.a. ragon in=trainingT ("t- Le7el)!orm0 U9uadru'edTAC0 1 (1* Ease, G2 A, G AE, G3 e)


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Initiati7e0 G3S'eed0 *Ability Scores0 UStr 1 e 1$ Con 13 Int & :is 1* C-a 11TSkills0 Acrobatics G1*, !ly G1, Stealt- G1*, 5erce'tion G&,!eats0 5oer Attack (1st), !lyby Attack (3rd)%7olutions (base)0 Eite, Limbs(legs)2%7olutions (etra)0 Ability Increase(Strengt-)(2), Eite(1), Clas(1), #ount(1), !lig-t(2), 5ounce(1)Attack Routine0 Eite G$ (1d$G12), 2 clas G$ (1dG)otes0 4uman ill no -a7e Ride=by Attack.

@Dth le7el:U#ounted (a.k.a. ragon in=trainingT (1*t- Le7el)!orm0 U9uadru'edTAC0 2" (1* Ease, G2 A, G AE, G3 e, G2 A(Large), G1 odge, =1 Si;e)Initiati7e0 G3S'eed0 *Ability Scores0 UStr 2 e 1$ Con 1& Int & :is 1* C-a 11TSkills0 Acrobatics G1, !ly G1, Stealt- G1, 5erce'tion G11,!eats0 5oer Attack (1st), !lyby Attack (3rd), odge%7olutions (base)0 Eite, Limbs(legs)2%7olutions (etra)0 Eite(1), Clas(1), %nergy Attacks(2) Large(), #ount(1), !lig-t(2), 5ounce(1), ail(1),

ail Sla'(1)

Attack Routine0 Eite G13 (1dG1d$G22), 2 clas G13 (1d$G1d$G1"), and ail Sla' G11(1dG1d$G&)otes0 4uman ill no -a7e S'irited C-arge.

1om-beast !@st-ADth le7el#= *ontri"uted "$ erik-)Spoiler

4ide#eant to out=rig-t kill one 'erson at a time -ile not being a glass cannon. (Ei'ed -al/=el/ build)

Le7el 10%7os0Eite, %nergy!eats0IFS

Le7el "0%7os0Eite, Slam, %nergy, ri', 3 le/t /or setting a''ro'riate!eats0IFS, Im'ro7ed ra''le (9uali/y /or t-is by taking ad7antage o/ ability score increase, and later 'ut a'oint into de at le7el ")Stat boost0 eLe7el 1*0

@ou s-ould get your %idolon a G2 de belt be/ore making it large%7os0Large, Sallo :-ole, Eite, rab (bite), Im'ro7ed amage (bite), Reac- (bite), le/t /or 're/erence ust to maimi;e t-e amount o/ da;ing.

Skill-dolon !@st-@Dth le7el#= *ontri"uted "$ nategar/-Spoiler

4ideUSkill=dolonT (1st Le7el)


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!orm0 Ser'entineAC0 13 (Ease 1* G e 3)Initiati7e0 G3S'eed0 2* /tAbility Scores0 U12 1$ 13 & 1* 11TSkills0 U5erce'tion(1)T G, UStealt-(1)T G&, UAcrobatics(1)T G&, Uisable e7ice(1)T G&,Ui'lomacy(1)T G!eats0 :ea'on !inesse (1st)%7olutions (base)0 Ubite, climb, reac-(bite), tail, tail sla'T

%7olutions (etra)0 Limbs(Arms), #ountAttack Routine0 Eite G (1d$G1) and ail Sla' =1 (1d$G1).otes0 4alHing /a7ored class bonus (or "t- le7el ability increase to Int) gi7es etra skill 'oint. #aes out6rst /our skills and di's t-e 6/t- into use/ul skills. 4alHing -as utrider alternate racial trait (bonus onRide and 4andle Animal) and :anderlust alternate racial trait (G1 CL on mo7ement s'ells, G2 onnoledge(eogra'-y) and Sur7i7al). %'editious Retreat com'ensates /or slo mo7ement. #ageArmor, a good ride c-eck, and #ounted Combat /rom t-e -alHing -el' 'rotect t-e %idolon /rom attacks,t-oug- admittedly not muc- at le7el due to s-ort s'ell durations.

USkill=dolonT ("t- Le7el)

!orm0 USer'entineT

AC0 1 (Ease 1* G e 3 G IA 2 G A )Initiati7e0 G3S'eed0 2* /tAbility Scores0 U1 1& 13 & 1* 11TSkills0 U5erce'tion()T G1", UStealt-()T G1, UAcrobatics()T G1, Uisable e7ice()T G1,i'lomacy(1)T G, USense #oti7e(1)T G, UEluB(1)T G, UIntimidate(1)T G!eats0 :ea'on !inesse (1st), Combat ReHees (2nd)%7olutions (base)0 Ubite, climb, reac-(bite), tail, tail sla'T%7olutions (etra)0 USkilled(5erce'tion)(1), Skilled(Stealt-)(1), Skilled(isable e7ice)(1),Skilled(Acrobatics)(1), #ount(1), Im'ro7ed atural Armor(1), Limbs(Arms)(2)TAttack Routine0 Eite G& (1d$G2) and ail Sla' G2 (1d$G2)otes0 :it- im'ressi7e skills, t-e %idolon can make a good skill=monkey rogue, /reeing u' o'tions /ort-e Summoner and t-e rest o/ t-e 'arty.

USkill=dolonT (1*t- Le7el)

!orm0 USer'entineTAC0 2 (Ease 1* G e G IA 2 G A )Initiati7e0 GS'eed0 2* /tAbility Scores0 U1$ 2$ 13 & 1* 11TSkills0 U5erce'tion()T G1, UStealt-()T G2&, UAcrobatics()T G2&, Uisable e7ice()T G2&,Ui'lomacy(3)T G$, USense #oti7e(2)T G", UEluB(2)T G", UIntimidate(1)T G!eats0 :ea'on !inesse (1st), Combat ReHees (2nd), Lunge (3rd), Agile #aneu7ers (t-), #ultiattack(bonus)

%7olutions (base)0 Ubite, climb, reac- (bite), tail, tail sla'T%7olutions (etra)0 USkilled(5erce'tion)(1), Skilled(Stealt-)(1), Skilled(isable e7ice)(1),Skilled(Acrobatics)(1), #ount(1), Im'ro7ed atural Armor(1), ri'(Eite)(2), Ability Increase(e, 2)(),Limbs(Arms)(2)TAttack Routine0 Eite G13


24/35

4ideEuild intended to soak u' enemies8 attacks and inHuence t-e battleground. !ocuses on Con


25/35

creature (At le7el 12 may be better oB it- medium and an etra a''lication o/ Con increase t-oug-).5otentially better EluB and Sense #oti7e i/ skilled is a''lied. C 2* /or 5oison. Set u' /or Intimidating5roess /or t-e net /eat, /reeing u' an e7olution 'oint t-at as 'ut into Skilled or sim'ly added toreally intimidate t-ings. Eeteen 'oisoning, intimidating, and antagoni;ing, you8ll ne7er run out o/combat o'tions. #ount gi7es anot-er o'tion /or t-e nome.

Spells

Summoner SpellcastingSpoiler4ide

!or all your %idolon8s 'oer, an %idolon alone is >ust a 6g-ter it- sub='ar 4 and e9ui'ment. It8s yours'ells t-at trans/orm t-e %idolon into a real combat monster.

At 6rst sig-t t-e Summoner s'ell list seems eak, only going u' to le7el $, but t-is is misleading.Summoners get many ecellent s'ells discounted one or to (or e7en t-reeJ) s'ell le7els don /rom t-ei;ard


26/35

,uidance:A G1 one=oB bonus doesn8t seem like muc-, and it isn8t, but it8s /ree and unlike mostcantri's it stays >ust as use/ul t-roug-out your career. :-ene7er anyone in t-e 'arty8s about to makean im'ortant c-eck, 'oke t-em it- t-is. (ote0 5oking t-em in real li/e and saying Muidance. X'okeXuidance. X'okeX uidance. X'okeXM is /unny but may cause t-em to -it you.)6ight:ot as good as ancing Lig-ts, but -andy i/ you87e /orgotten your torc-.age Hand:5ick u' keys t-roug- bars, im'ress c-ildren, or >ust grab t-at drink it-out getting out o/bed.ending:akes a -ile to cast, but a -andy utility eBect.essage:o t-is is really good, kind o/ t-e e9ui7alent o/ s-ort=range radio. 5ut it on t-e rogue be/ore

s-e scouts a-ead, on t-e i;ard be/ore -e turns in7isible = -ell, >ust cast it -ene7er your 'arty8s doinganyt-ing..pen;Close:MIs it tra''edQM MLet me c-eck.M E#J M@ea-, it8s tra''ed.MRead agic:ood /or identi/ying scrolls, i/ you don8t -a7e a -ig-=S'ellcra/t c-aracter to do it /or you.Resistance:It ould be muc- better i/ only it asn8t a resistance bonus. As it is, t-is becomes uselessas soon as t-e 'arty 'icks u' Cloaks o/ Resistance (-ic- t-ey8ll do starting at about t-=le7el). Still, atlo le7els t-is is a decent s'ammable buB.

6e7el @ SpellsSpoiler

4ide)larm:@ou don8t really -a7e t-e s'ells to s'are on t-is kind o/ t-ing, but it8s admittedly a 'retty goodeBect. #ig-t be ort- considering once you get -ig- enoug- le7el t-at you 6nd you87e got 1st=le7el

slots s'are.)nt Haul:Im'ressi7e boost to carrying ca'acity, but ay too situational. Scroll it i/ you ant it.%a=e onster:Summoners get t-is earlier t-an anyone else. 5ity it8s still so eak."ndure "lements:It8s a great s'ell, but you don8t ant it as a s'ell knon. Scroll or and it."nlarge Person:ood on your %idolon, and great i/ it8s a bi'ed (grants Reac-J) Eoosts damage at t-ee'ense o/ an eBecti7e =2 to AC. Slo casting time, -oe7er. ecent duration, so i/ you don8t -a7eenoug- s'ells knon, you s-ould 'robably get scrolls or e7en a and o/ t-is."3peditious Retreat::ould get a -ig-er rating i/ 4aste asn8t so muc- better. I8d suggest scrolling it,but G3* s'eed really is nice and t-is isn8t a bad c-oice /or a /orm like Ser'entine -ic- is a bit slo.4eather 4all:oo situational, t-oug- -en you need it you R%ALL@ need it.,rease:5ossibly t-e best le7el 1 s'ell in t-e game, t-is is a su'erb and incredibly Heible eBect. ri'enemies, make t-em dro' t-eir ea'ons, clog u' corridors, -el' allies esca'e gra''les, and more. nto' o/ t-at, it8s SR0 o and bene6ts /rom S'ell !ocus (Con>uration).

Identi+y:@ou8re generally better oB it- multi'le castings o/ etect #agic.Gump:ake 4aste or %'editious Retreat instead.age )rmour:%ssential /or %idolon bu?ng. At -ig-er le7els, cast t-is in t-e morning it- an %tendrod to last all day. @ou s-ould 'robably carry a cou'le o/ scrolls as ell /or emergencies.agic 4ang:A good s'ell /or %idolons it- one 'oer/ul natural attack. 5robably not ort- s'endingan action on in most 6g-ts, but essential against incor'oreals and t-ings it- R


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n+etter:Remo7es t-at 'esky distance restriction on your %idolon. Eeare, t-oug- = it also remo7esLi/e Link.nseen Ser7ant::-o ouldn8t ant a ser7ant on callQ Lots o/ /un, and actually 7ery use/ul indungeon en7ironments /or dealing it- tra's and loose items.0entriloJuism:ot really your area, but you mig-t be able to make use o/ it.

6e7el A SpellsSpoiler

4ide

)lter Sel+:nce t-e most 'oer/ul second=le7el s'ell in 3.", Alter Sel/ is a 'ale s-ado o/ -at it usedto be. Still use/ul /or its 7ersatility, but not muc- good /or t-e %idolon as it causes t-e %idolon to lose itsnatural attacks (unless all you ant is a disguise).Barkskin:-is starts oB a7erage, but t-e AC bonus increases as you go u' t-e le7els until it8s actuallybetter t-an #age Armour. Fse it- a rod o/ %tend S'ell to maimise duration. on8t be in a rus- totake it, t-oug- = $t- or 1*t- le7el is a better 'lace to 'ick it u'.Bear's "ndurance:A solid toug-ness boost.Blur:2*Y concealment is nice, but 'robably not ort- a standard action in t-e middle o/ combat.Bull's Strength:-e classic damage buB. -e only reason t-is isn8t rated %cellent is t-at by about t-etime you get t-is, you8ll be t-inking o/ adding Strengt-=boosting items to your %idolon, and t-ey don8tstack.Cat's ,race:Anot-er decent buB. @ou 'robably don8t ant more t-an one out o/ t-e trio o/ t-is, Eear8s%ndurance, and Eull8s Strengt-.

Create Pit:!unny and use/ul. An enemy t-at /ails its sa7e is don a 2*=3* /oot 'it, taking mostcreatures it-out mobility 'oers out o/ t-e 6g-t. Eene6ts /rom S'ell !ocus (Con>uration).%etect Thoughts:It8s a non=buB non=combat s'ell, and you don8t -a7e many slots s'are /or t-ose . . .but it8s 'retty -andy all t-e same."agle's Splendour:Eoost your sa7e Cs, buB an %idolon8s Intimidate, or >ust look nice /or meeting t-eking."7olution Surge9 6esser::ings /or Hig-t, energy damage /or natural attacks, tremorsense /or -idingenemies, energy immunity . . . t-is is a su'erb Heible buB /or your %idolon, and it8s -ard not to take it.4o3's Cunning::it- so many ot-er good buB s'ells, t-is doesn8t really stand out.,lide:ake !eat-er !all instead, or >ust ait /or Hig-t.,litterdust::-en c-oosing s'ells knon, you ant Heibility, and t-is deli7ers in s'ades. Anti=stealt-,anti=in7isibility, SR0 o, and a 'oer/ul blinding eBect. @our o''onent gets etra sa7es to t-ro it oB,but i/ t-ey8re blinded it- an angry %idolon eating t-eir /ace, t-ey8re likely not to li7e long enoug- to get

t-e c-ance. Also bene6ts /rom S'ell !ocus (Con>uration).Haste:ne o/ t-e best buB s'ells in t-e game, and you get it a le7el earlier t-an e7eryone elseJ :ooJEuBs to s'eed, AC, and attack, and you can target t-e -ole 'arty too. -e only (7ery small) drabackis t-at %idolons using natural attacks mig-t not bene6t /rom t-e etra attack . . . maybe. See t-e !A+.In7isibility:A 7ery -andy de/ensi7e buB and utility s'ell. ood in Stealt- Summoner builds, -ere youstay -idden and let your creatures do t-e 6g-ting /or you. ote t-at /or oBensi7e 'ur'oses, you get t-ereater 7ersion net le7el0 t-is is more de/ensi7e


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Summon onster II:-is is starting to /all be-ind your summon ability. Fse t-at instead.Summon S*arm:ot terrible or anyt-ing, but it8s -ig-ly unlikely you8ll -a7e a slot to s'end on t-is.Wind Wall:I/ arc-ers are annoying you, don8t sit t-ere be-ind a :ind :all staring at t-em, go killt-em.

6e7el SpellsSpoiler

4ide)Jueous .rb:It8s a decent attack s'ell, but you -a7e better c-oices.

Black Tentacles:asty battle6eld control s'ell. @our C-arisma doesn8t matter, only your le7el.Charm onster:Lots o/ t-ings are immune and it re9uires t-e target to /ail t-e sa7e . . . but i/ you canget 'ast t-at, you get to make t-e biggest, meanest t-ing around your /riend /or days and days.%e7olution:A/ul. A debuB t-at only orks on %idolonsQ%imension %oor:ne o/ t-e best utility s'ells around. oubles as attack and de/ense, and you get itat a loer s'ell le7el t-an ot-er classes, tooJ%imensional )nchor:!or normal use, it8s good at -at it does, but you on8t need it all t-at o/ten.4oe7er, /or t-ose 'lanar binders out t-ere, t-is is ort- taking.%ispel agic:is'elling is good, but t-e di7ine casters do it better t-an you.%isplacement:"*Y miss c-ance ould make t-is a good c-oice . . . i/ it didn8t -a7e to com'ete it-reater In7isibility."nlarge Person9 ass:Stick it- t-e single=target 7ersion."7olution Surge:!ast 4ealing, Large si;e, and Elindsense stand out -ere. 5robably not 9uite as good

as t-e Lesser 7ersion /or its le7el, but still a great s'ell.4ire Shield:Cast it on your %idolon, atc- attackers burnJ ood energy 'rotection too.4ly:e7er a bad s'ell to -a7e . . . at t-is le7el. Eut net le7el you get 7erland !lig-t, so you may antto ait /or t-at instead.Heroism:A good long=duration buB it- a rare bonus ty'e, t-is is ell ort- %tending.In7isibility9 ,reater:Anot-er in t-e list o/ great s'ells t-at you get at a loer s'ell le7el t-ane7erybody else. A brutal oBensi7e buB and a 'oer/ul de/ensi7e one too.6ocate Creature::ay too situational.agic Circle against K:It8s not terrible, but you 'robably ant to lea7e t-is to ot-er classes. -is'airs u' it- imensional Anc-or to be used in 5lanar Einding, but I8d be tem'ted to >ust get scrolls.agic 4ang9 ,reater:t-e iconic natural ea'on buB. reat duration. Eest it- a single 'oer/ulnatural attack, almost as good it- multi'les, goes don s-ar'ly in use/ulness i/ your %idolon 'icks u' asord.

inor Creation:ice, but you don8t really -a7e t-e Cra/t /or it.1ondetection:oo nic-e.Protection +rom "nergy:ot really ort- it com'ared to t-e alternati7es.Rage:-ere are /ar better buB s'ells.Reduce Person9 ass:Really not ort- it.Reu7enate "idolon:In 7irtually all cases you8re better oB s'amming a -ealing and.Seek Thoughts:oo situational, really.Spiked Pit:Create 5it8s bigger brot-er. Still good, t-oug- starting to /all be-ind.Stoneskin:%'ensi7e, but i/ you8re illing to soak u' t-e cost (-ic- I8m usually not) t-is is a 'oer/ulde/ensi7e buB.Summon onster I0:Summon #onster8s caug-t u' again, but it /aces stiB com'etition /or a slot.Tongues:oo nic-e, really. Eesides, you87e got Linguistics.Wall o+ 4ire:-e second o/ your good battle6eld control s'ells t-is le7el, and one o/ your only eBecti7e

damage s'ells.Wall o+ Ice:-e t-ird. Again, loer=le7el t-an on t-e :i;ard or Sorcerer list.Water Breathing:Fnless you8re 'laying an a9uatic cam'aign, ski' t-is one.

6e7el L SpellsSpoiler

4ide)cid Pit:-e 5it s'ells are becoming a orse and orse deal by t-is 'oint = :i;ards got access to t-isone at le7el &. n to' o/ t-at, more and more monsters -a7e ays o/ getting out o/ t-em.Bale+ul Polymorph:Sa7e or be turned into a s9uirrel. ne o/ your /e !ortitude sa7e=or=loses.Bear's "ndurance9 ass:Ey no 'retty muc- e7eryone in your 'arty is going to be loaded don it-stat boosting items. I/ you ant a mass D8s @ s'ell, t-is is 'robably t-e best c-oice, but it8s unlikely to do


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muc- and it8ll get steadily less use/ul as your 'arty8s ealt- continues to increase.Bull's Strength9 ass:See abo7e.Cat's ,race9 ass:See abo7e.Contact .ther Plane:ne o/ t-e more 'oer/ul di7ination s'ells, t-is can get you a lot o/ in/ormationi/ used care/ully, but it de'ends a bit on # discretion.%ismissal:Sure, it gets rid o/ etra'lanar t-ings, but L@ etra'lanar t-ings."agle's Splendour9 ass:#ost o/ t-e 'arty on8t need t-is."7olution Surge9 ,reater:-e to' o/ t-e %7olution Surge tree, gaining you t-e bene6t o/ bot- o/ t-e're7ious to in a single actionJ %cellent buB.

4o3's Cunning9 ass:Again, 'retty useless /or most o/ t-e 'arty.Hold onster:Sa7e or die . . . 'robably. Lots o/ t-ings are immune, t-oug-.Insect Plague:At t-is le7el, as' sarms aren8t muc- more t-an an annoyance.age's 4aith+ul Hound:oo nic-e.agic Gar:As t-e only necromancy s'ell on t-e Summoner s'ell list, t-is is a bit o/ an anomaly. Can dosome stu'idly 'oer/ul t-ings, but re9uires muc- more 'lanning t-an most s'ells.aor Creation:Lea7e t-is to t-e i;ard..7erland 4light:A great ay to gi7e your %idolon (or yoursel/) Hig-t, eBecti7ely sa7ing you e7olution'oints..*l's Wisdom9 ass:A G2 to t-e 'arty8s :ill sa7e isn8t bad, but t-ere are better c-oices.Planar Binding9 6esser:o you can -a7e e7en more outsiders /olloing you around. #ig-t ant toait /or t-e -ig-er=le7el 7ersions, t-oug-.Puri&ed Calling:It8s eBecti7ely a eaker 4eal on an eidolon t-at takes a minute to cast. In most

situations you8re better oB using a and or gi7ing your eidolon !ast 4ealing.Sending:reat at -at it does, but -at it does is 7ery s'ecialised.Summon onster 0:!alling be-ind again.Teleport:Anot-er one discounted /rom its usual s'ell le7el = you get t-is slig-tly later t-an a :i;ard,but it8s still an ecellent s'ell. on8t /orget to unsummon or s-rink your %idolon be/ore 'orting, andtrade it out once you get t-e reater 7ersion.Transmogri+y:Nery slo to cast, 7ery e'ensi7e. I really can8t imagine -o you8d use t-is o/tenenoug- to make it ort- it. I/ you ant to c-ange your %idolon, >ust use %7olution Surge.Wall o+ Stone:-e net ste' u' in t-e :all lineO an eBecti7e batte6eld control s'ell.

6e7el E SpellsSpoiler

4ide

Banishment:Again, it8s good against outsiders, but most o/ t-e time you8ll be 6g-ting somet-ing else.Creeping %oom:Centi'ede sarms are a >oke to CR 13=1" monsters.%ispel agic9 ,reater:It8s a good s'ell, but you8re 'robably better oB lea7ing t-is to t-e ot-ercasters."thereal Gaunt:A good esca'e or mobility s'ell /or you or your %idolon.Heroism9 ,reater:ne o/ t-e most 'oer/ul %idolon buBs out t-ere. It8s >ust a s-ame you don8t get itat t-e le7els Eards do.Hungry Pit:At le7el , Create 5it as good0 at le7el 13, 4ungry 5it >ust doesn8t make t-e cut.In7isibility9 ass:Cloaking t-e 'arty can be use/ul occasionally, but not t-at o/ten.Planar )daption:ood i/ you go 'lane=-o''ing o/ten and don8t -a7e anyone else to cast it /or you, butt-ere are 'robably better 'icks out t-ere.Planar Binding:12 4 ort- o/ outsiders can be 7ery nice. %7en i/ you get it a/ter t-e :i;ard, t-is isort- considering. ote t-at you8ll ant to access to #agic Circle


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Summon onster 0II:-is is t-e last le7el at -ic- your summon s'ells kee' u' it- your Summonclass ability. I/ you ant to take one o/ t-e -ig-=le7el ones, you s-ould make it t-is one.Teleport9 ,reater:-e acce't=no=substitutes mobility s'ell. Sitc- out ele'ort /or t-is -en you -a7et-e c-ance.True Seeing:Costs money, but it8s ort- it /or t-e Must Say oM to illusions.Wall o+ Iron:5robably not ort- a "t-=le7el s'ell knon. Stick it- :all o/ Stone or :all o/ Ice.

6e7el M SpellsSpoiler

4ide)ntipathy::eird and 7ery situational.Binding:e7er seen t-is used e7en once, muc- less /re9uently.Charm onster9 ass:ot enoug- o/ an im'ro7ement on C-arm #onster to be ort- t-e slot.%imensional 6ock:Eeing able to s-ut don 'lanar tra7el ould be -andy, ece't t-at most o/ t-ecreatures it- trans'ortation SLAs -a7e SR as ell.%iscern 6ocation::it-out t-is s'ell, i/ you ant to 6nd somet-ing, you ask 5Cs. :it- t-is s'ell, you

>ust ask t-e #.%ominate onster:!reaking ama;ing -en it orks. Eeteen :ill negates, SR0 @es, and immunities,t-oug-, it8s -ard to make it stick.Incendiary Cloud:$d$ 6re damage a round ould -a7e been scary . . . 67e or ten le7els ago. Againstt-e kind o/ o''osition you8re /acing at t-ese le7els, it8s not muc- more t-an a nuisance.a=e:See t-at MoneM in t-e sa7ing t-ro descri'tionQ -at8s -y t-is is good. #ake a c-allenging

6g-t easier by s'litting u' t-e enemies.Planar )daption9 ass:I guess you can be t-e 'arty 'lane guide. It makes t-ematic sense, at least.Planar Binding9 ,reater:-e to' o/ t-e 5lanar Einding tree, t-is gi7es you access to outsiders easily'oer/ul enoug- to destroy your enemies . . . or you.Protection +rom Spells:#ost o/ t-e time you8re better oB it- Resistance items, but t-ere are limitedsituations -ere t-is is ort- t-e money.Summon onster 0III:Stick it- your Summon ID or ate SLAs.Sympathy:See Anti'at-y.Teleportation Circle:es'ite t-e cost, t-is is a 7ery 'oer/ul eBect, able to trans'ort an entire army.I/ you don8t -a7e an army and only need to bring t-e rest o/ your 'arty, reater ele'ort is better.

Summoned onsters

Summons 7s "idolon

Spoiler4ide

ne o/ t-e ma>or c-anges made to t-e Summoner /rom Eeta to 6nal 7ersion as a c-ange to itsSummon ability. -e Summon #onster I=ID SLA can no only be used -ile t-e %idolon is notsummoned. Alt-oug- a de6nite ner/, t-is isn8t as bad as you mig-t t-ink0 it >ust means you8ll bes'ending your 6rst round on buB s'ells instead o/ on summons. @ou only -a7e so many actions, a/ter all.

%Becti7ely -at t-is does is gi7e you a c-oice beteen going around it- your %idolon acti7e, or not. I/you kee' your %idolon around you get to use it instantly in t-e 6rst round o/ a combat, but you can8t useyour summon monster. I/ you kee' your %idolon dismissed, -oe7er, you can o'en a combat bysummoning a monster o/ your c-oice, and only 'ull out t-e %idolon -en you need it.

Summons -a7e to main ad7antages o7er %idolons = t-ey8re more 7aried and t-ey8re more e'endable.@ou can 'ick t-e rig-t Summon /or t-e >ob, and unlike %idolons you don8t care i/ t-ey get killed or -a7et-eir le7els or ability scores drained.

In 'ractice, you8ll mostly use t-is as a backu' /or your %idolon = i/ your %idolon gets killed or cri''led /ort-e day, >ust s'am summoned monsters instead. Still, summons are 'oer/ul, and lea7ing your %idolonin t-e et-er and relying on summoned monsters instead is a 7iable tactic. Since you can only kee' oneset acti7e at a time, don8t bot-er kee'ing t-em ali7e = t-ro t-em into combat and let t-em soak u' t-eenemy attacks.

Summon onster Tips and TricksSpoiler


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4ide

Fsing your Summon #onster SLA is a standard action t-at immediately ends any 're7ious use o/t-e SLA. @ou can use t-is to s9uee;e out to /ull attacks in a single round. 4a7e a 're7iously=summoned monster attack, t-en take your turn, summon anot-er monster (dismissing t-e oldone) and -a7e t-at attack too.

:-ile summoning anot-er monster it- your SLA dismisses an old one, t-at doesn8t a''ly to

summoning anot-er monster it- your spells. I/ you kee' one or to Summon #onsters in yours'ell list, you can -a7e multi'le summons out at once.

@ou can -a7e your Summon #onster SLA and your %idolon out at t-e same time. ust use t-e

Summon ability, t-en take 1 minute to call your %idolon. (-e rules say you can8t use yourSummon ability -ile your %idolon is acti7e, but t-ere8s not-ing sto''ing you summoning your+idolon-ile a Summonis acti7e.) Since your Summon lasts 1 minute


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4ideHound )rchon:S'ams aid, good aura, and #agic Circle Against %7il. Recommended.6ion:ood c-arger, summon it 1* /eet /rom t-e enemy and -a7e it 'ounce.ephits:Lots o/ SLAs a7ailable -ere.

Summon onster 0Spoiler

4ide)nklyosaurus:ood damage and brutal stunlock.

Babau:is'el and See In7is at ill.Bralani )=ata:4eals, buBs, and t-ros lig-tning bolts.6arge elemental:-ese are getting good no.

Summon onster 0ISpoiler

4ide%ire Bear;Tiger:uc-."rinyes:rue Seeing, 7ery nice.In7isible Stalker:An in7isible man can be -andy.6illend )=ata:A -ole ra/t o/ s'ecial abilities.Shado* %emon:S-ado Con>uration, S-ado %7ocation.Succubus:C-arming it- Cs in t-e 2*s.

Summon onster 0IISpoiler

4ideBone %e7il:#ore SLAs.Tyrannosaurus:%ats t-ings, really ell.0rock:Anot-er nasty set o/ abilities.

Summon onster 0IIISpoiler

4ideBarbed %e7il:Loads o/ s'ecial abilities -ere."lder "lemental:5oer/ul, 7ersatile beatstick.

He=rou:rabs and ri's.

Summon onster IKSpoiler

4ide-ere are really no bad c-oices at t-is le7el. -e Astral e7a, -aele A;ata, labre;u, Ice e7il,al/es-nee, and rum'et Arc-on all -a7e a cra;y amount o/ SLAs and s'ecial abilities, not to mentiongreat melee attacks. @our biggest 'roblem ill be remembering all t-e t-ings your summons can do.

Items

4a7ing to e9ui' bot- t-eir %idolon and t-emsel7es means Summoners tend to end u' s-ort on cas- = assuc-, t-e Cra/t :ondrous Item /eat is -ig-ly recommended to make your 5 go /urt-er. %7ery time yougo s-o''ing you8ll -a7e to decide -et-er to u'grade your %idolon8s e9ui'ment, or your on. -e

%idolon ill be in melee more, but it also on8t alays be around.

The Shared Slots ProblemSpoiler

4ideSummoners s-are magic item body slots it- t-eir %idolon, -ic- is a ma>or nuisance. 4ere are someays round it.

,et items in di$erent slots:#ost magic item abilities can at least in t-eory use diBerent bodyslots /rom standard. !or instance, i/ you ant bot- you and your %idolon to -a7e 8esistanceitems (a good idea, by t-e ay) get a Cloak o/ Resistance /or yoursel/ and a Nest o/ Resistance/or your %idolon. -e 3." book #agic Item Com'endium -as a good guide to -ic- slots are andaren8t associated0 it suggests t-at a nonassociated item s-ould -a7e a G"*Y cost bum'.


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Combine items:5er t-e 5at-6nder rules on MAdding e AbilitiesM, you can combine items in

t-e same slot /or a G"*Y 'rice increase. oing t-is can /ree u' some etra slots. #ulti=bene6titems like t-e stat boost items are also a good 'lan.

se non-slotted items:Ioun stones, etc. -is is less 're/erable t-an t-e 6rst to met-ods,since t-e 'rice increase is G1**Y instead o/ G"*Y.

S*itch around:I/ orst comes to orst, get a /e etra items, lea7e t-em oB -ile your%idolon8s around, and 'ut t-em on -en your %idolon is dismissed. (Summoner items -a7e'riority o7er t-e %idolon8s.) :aste/ul, ob7iously, but gets t-e >ob done.

Recommended "Juipment - "idolonSpoiler

4ide)mulet o+ ighty 4ists:Fnless you8re going a ea'on=ielder build, t-is s-ould be your %idolon8s6rst buy. C-oose beteen an en-ancement bonus (to get magic attacks in t-e le7els be/ore you getaccess to greater magic ang) and en-ancements like S-ocking or !laming (to boost damage o7ermulti'le -its). Fn/ortunately, u'grading it beyond G1 is -orribly e'ensi7e, e7en it- t-e Cra/t:ondrous Item discount.

Weapon:I/ your %idolon -as a ea'on 'ro6ciency, buy it se7eral co'ies o/ t-e rele7ant ea'on = Irecommend one Sil7er, one Cold Iron, at medium le7els a G1 #agic, and at -ig-er le7els a G1 #agicAdamantine. :it- %idolon Strengt- scores, carrying ca'acity is unlikely to be a 'roblem.

)rmour:%idolons can8t ear armour. Fse #age Armour instead.

Shield:%idolons can use s-ields, but you8re unlikely to -a7e a s'are -and.

Stat Boosts9 Physical:G2 Strengt- ill be your 6rst 'riority, u'graded to G -en you can aBord it.e and Con 'robably aren8t ort- t-e money until -ig-er le7els (remember t-at it- t-eir loer 4%idolons get less bonus 45 t-an you do /rom etra Constitution). ry and get your Strengt- boost asbracers or auntlets o/ gre 5oer rat-er t-an a belt, so t-at your Summoner can ear a Eelt o/ #ig-tyConstitution.

Resistance:Fnless you 'lan to cast Resistance on your %idolon once 'er minute, 1* times 'er day,you8ll ant a resistance item. rouble is, you8ll ant one on your Summoner too. ry to get a G1 Nest o/Resistance or similar, and u'grade it -en you can.

Boots o+ Speed:%'ensi7e, but ecellent /or an %idolon. Cra/t t-em i/ you can aBord t-em.

Recommended "Juipment - SummonerSpoiler

4ide)rmour:In ascending order o/ 're/erence, it goes somet-ing like t-is0 Leat-er U Studded Leat-er UC-ain S-irt U G1 C-ain S-irt U G1 #it-ral C-ain S-irt. @ou can 'robably sto' at G1 mit-ral = u'grading/urt-er is unlikely to be ort- t-e money.

Weapon:Carry a crossbo. Fnless you8re 'laying a mounted or Hank buddy summoner, any more t-ant-at is o7erkill.

Shield:on8t bot-er. A G1 mit-ral buckler is ma$"e ort- it, but t-e %idolon8s s-ield bonus is /ree.

Stat Boosts9 ental:A 4eadband o/ C-arisma ill be your 6rst 'ick = e7en i/ you don8t care muc-about t-e sa7e Cs, you can use t-e etra s'ells and summoned monsters. on8t bot-er it-Intelligence or :isdom.

Stat Boosts9 Physical:@ou8ll -a7e a 'roblem -ere because t-ese ill conHict it- t-e %idolon = seeabo7e /or 'ossible solutions. Constitution is t-e 6rst c-oice, eterity t-e second.

Resistance:!ailing sa7ing t-ros is a bad t-ing, es'ecially at -ig-er le7els, so get a Cloak o/Resistance as soon as you can aBord it.


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Healing Wands:@ou8ll 'robably ant a and o/ Lesser Re>u7enate %idolon as soon as you can aBord it.nce your F# gets good, you8ll ant some ands o/ Cure Lig-t :ounds too.

.ther Wands:Any Summoner s'ell t-at you e'ect to cast o7er and o7er again is ort- 'icking u' asa and (t-oug- -ealing ands s-ould be t-e 'riority). S-ield, #age Armour, and 5rotection /rom %7il aregood c-oices.

Scrolls:et t-ese /or situational and utility s'ells t-at you on8t use o/ten. %ndure %lements is a goodeam'le o/ a s'ell t-at you don8t need o/ten but can be a li/esa7er -en you do. Skim t-e S'ells section

abo7e /or ideas = some o/ my /a7ourites include In7isibility, See In7isibility, S'ider Climb, and imensionoor or ele'ort. nce your F# gets -ig- enoug-, you can start to include select -ealing s'ells likeeutralise 5oison or (Lesser) Restoration.

etamagic Rods:@ou8ll ant at least one Lesser Rod o/ %tend, and 'robably to. A Lesser Rod o/Reac- is also ort- it, and a Lesser Rod o/ a;ing can be nasty. nce you -a7e enoug- gold, a normalRod o/ %tend ill let you etend your 7erland !lig-ts.

Rings:A Ring o/ eHection is a bit e'ensi7e, but ne7er really a bad c-oice /or eit-er you or your%idolon. Rings o/ :i;ardry ould be a great ay o/ boosting your limited s'ells 'er day i/ t-ey eren8tso -orribly e'ensi7e. At -ig-er le7els, a Ring o/ !reedom o/ #o7ement makes an eBecti7e get=out=o/=

>ail=/ree card. !inally, a Ring o/ !eat-er !alling is a good c-oice i/ you use 7erland !lig-t a lot.

4reJuently )sked ured by summon s'ells. 4oe7er, it orks it- t-e Summon +idolons'ell >ust 6ne.

A? %oes )ugment Summoning *ork on the Summoner's summon monster spell-like abilityNSpoiler

4ide)ns*er:Consensus is yes. !rom >orbond on t-e 5at-6nder boards0 7There ha1e "een se1eral threadson this. 0 $ou ha1e a spell like a"ilit$, an$ eat $ou ha1e that can modi$ the spell works, with thee;ception o metamagic eats which re


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M? When and ho* o+ten can an "idolon take the Impro7ed 1atural )rmour e7olutionNSpoiler

4ide)ns*er:-is one is 6elded by os-ua . !rost /rom t-e 5at-6nder boards0

7As or the 0mpro1ed atural Armor e1olution, that last sentence is unortunatel$ not 1er$ clear. #ere'sthe intent and how $ou should handle it until the class is fnalied6

The intent was that $ou could take it at le1el (, le1el (/, le1el (-, and le1el )/. So it should readsomething like, 7This e1olution ma$ "e taken once or e1er$ f1e le1els the summoner possesses,minimum le1el (.7 So $ou could take it at le1el (, "ut then $ou'd need ten summoner le1els to take itagain 3le1el (/:, (- summoner le1els to take it a third time, and )/ summoner le1els to take it a ourthtime.

#ope this helps%7

O? %oes an "idolon using natural attacks get an e3tra attack +rom HasteNSpoiler

4ide)ns*er:Fnclear. -e rules 9uite s'eci6cally say no. n t-e ot-er -and, ames acobs /rom t-e 5!boards says yes. Ask your #.

? %o Summoners need to take a +ull-round-action to use metamagicNSpoiler

4ide)ns*er:ddly, no. I/ you read t-e descri'tion o/ metamagicin t-e 5at-6nder SR, Summoners aren8tlisted as one o/ t-e classes t-at need to take etra time to use metamagic. -e same a''lies tometamagic rods. 5robably >ust an editing mistake, t-oug-.

Q? %oes an "idolon get summoned *ith gear or *ithoutNSpoiler

4ide)ns*er:-e rules don8t s'ell it out, but t-e general rule on tele'ortation

the summoner handbook (pathfinder)

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