Depends on what you want to do with it. For normal combat it may be too risky with you allies around, unless you all fit in the circle. I personally prefer if there’s a Magic Circle up first. But if you cast it out of combat, you prepare a suitable sacrifice, and your DM is cool with it, as is your alignment, you might end up with a Hellhound buddy. Or a nightmare steed. Of course you’d have to keep up with the suitable amount of killing necessary, so I’d say about at least four humanoids every couple of days personally. But that’s only if your DM allows your demon to persist after being summoned and is a bit lenient on what counts as a Demon, because technically, Nightmares and Hellhounds aren’t devils or demons, technically.
Wait...how are you doing this? Demon summoning only lasts an hour with concentration. Where did the sacrifice thing come from? Houserule? That’s a lot of murder...
Xanthar's has a set of spells that seem tailored for NPC's to cast and I consider this one of those spells. It's a great spell for flavor, but known level 7 spells are rare and this one is too situational for most players to take. That said, I'm sure the villain NPC Warlock or Wizard in many a campaign are casting this spell. Just like a good NPC cleric would likely know and cast the Ceremony spell.
Yea it’s true that the demon is under your control for the hour with uninterrupted concentration, but our house rule is that the demon may persist after this of its own free will. Whether it be because you bargained with it and it’s agreed to help you, or if you pissed it off sufficiently enough for it to attempt to attack. Of course these situations are exceedingly rare, and we only came up with it because my Profane Soul Blood Hunter is basically a paladin if Asmodeus, and isn’t against the constant murder with her lawful evil disposition. They’re fair game if their bandits or hugs. Maybe even occasionally breaking into the local jail for some dog food.
The risk of the spell lies in the demon getting out of your control but this can easily be fixed by using the turn you have summoned it to command it to reveal it's true name to you. After that it will have disadvantage on it's saving throws to break free of your control and that coupled with a low CHA demon (such as a barlgura) almost guarantees that the demon will never leave your command. However, I'd confirm with your DM that you can ask it's true name and be answered when you have summoned it. Because while the spells wording suggest you should be able to ask and be answered such a thing, your DM may have other feelings on the matter.
Yes. The max CR for the demon increases by 1 for each spell slot above fourth. At 17th you should be able to use a 5th level slot from your Pact magic to summon a 5 CR demon.
However, you can’t use your 6-9 mystic arcanum as those are not spell slots.
I think this a great idea...what could go wrong? I'll be fine if I stay in the blood circle...right?
Seriously, is this spell adding to my known spells at 7th or 8th level? A ton of fun but too risky?
Depends on what you want to do with it. For normal combat it may be too risky with you allies around, unless you all fit in the circle. I personally prefer if there’s a Magic Circle up first. But if you cast it out of combat, you prepare a suitable sacrifice, and your DM is cool with it, as is your alignment, you might end up with a Hellhound buddy. Or a nightmare steed. Of course you’d have to keep up with the suitable amount of killing necessary, so I’d say about at least four humanoids every couple of days personally. But that’s only if your DM allows your demon to persist after being summoned and is a bit lenient on what counts as a Demon, because technically, Nightmares and Hellhounds aren’t devils or demons, technically.
Wait...how are you doing this? Demon summoning only lasts an hour with concentration. Where did the sacrifice thing come from? Houserule? That’s a lot of murder...
Xanthar's has a set of spells that seem tailored for NPC's to cast and I consider this one of those spells. It's a great spell for flavor, but known level 7 spells are rare and this one is too situational for most players to take. That said, I'm sure the villain NPC Warlock or Wizard in many a campaign are casting this spell. Just like a good NPC cleric would likely know and cast the Ceremony spell.
Yea it’s true that the demon is under your control for the hour with uninterrupted concentration, but our house rule is that the demon may persist after this of its own free will. Whether it be because you bargained with it and it’s agreed to help you, or if you pissed it off sufficiently enough for it to attempt to attack. Of course these situations are exceedingly rare, and we only came up with it because my Profane Soul Blood Hunter is basically a paladin if Asmodeus, and isn’t against the constant murder with her lawful evil disposition. They’re fair game if their bandits or hugs. Maybe even occasionally breaking into the local jail for some dog food.
The risk of the spell lies in the demon getting out of your control but this can easily be fixed by using the turn you have summoned it to command it to reveal it's true name to you. After that it will have disadvantage on it's saving throws to break free of your control and that coupled with a low CHA demon (such as a barlgura) almost guarantees that the demon will never leave your command. However, I'd confirm with your DM that you can ask it's true name and be answered when you have summoned it. Because while the spells wording suggest you should be able to ask and be answered such a thing, your DM may have other feelings on the matter.
I was told recently that although I could cast "Summon Greater Demon" as a 17th level Warlock, the demon must be of challenge rating 5 or lower.
True?
Yes. The max CR for the demon increases by 1 for each spell slot above fourth. At 17th you should be able to use a 5th level slot from your Pact magic to summon a 5 CR demon.
However, you can’t use your 6-9 mystic arcanum as those are not spell slots.
Challenge rating 6 or lower **
Thanks!