Instead of a conjuration wizard? I'm trying to decide what spells I'd enjoy having and other tricks... I'm looking to make a summoner and it's either a gnome or an old human, not specific for the two classes, gnome druid or gnome wizard, or human druid and so on.
I do like wildshape, I love the fact I can speak with animals, so those parts are fine.
I think I like summon beast, but not sure I'm a fan of the conjure woodland beings and such spells because there's so many of them and I'm not that keen on having too many things to control at the same time... I think. Also in general, the rest of the spells.. Having some healing is always nice and the option to pick and change spells now and then is good too.
Wizard on the other hand gets more teleport, illusions and such spells I really enjoy. On the other hand I'm not sure how fond I am of the demonic summons, though I am not averted to them. Some seem cool, some are just weird.. The constructs seem nice though.
Some thoughts on some cool spells to use, or other ideas of why I should pick the druid variant, is welcome
If you want to play a summoner, go with Shepherd Druid. They get two immediately useful features at second level, summoning or not (both are even better with summons): Essentially an always-on Speak with Animals, and the Spirit Totem. The Spirit Totem is useful whether you have summons or not, but becomes exponentially better when you have more creatures on the battlefield.
At sixth level, they get two additional buffs for their summons -- magical attacks and extra HP. They get that extra HP eight levels earlier than Conjuration Wizards get a similar buff to their summons' health (in the form of temp HP).
Their level 10 feature improves their totem in regards to their summons. It's a nice benefit.
Their level 14 feature is mostly just a fun bonus that helps their survivability.
Meanwhile, Conjuration Wizards get a bad feature at level two. The item being visibly magical really limits the potential of their minor conjuration. And it does nothing for summoning spells.
Their level 6 feature is a modified Misty Step, basically. Useful, but not for summoning.
Their level 10 feature is very nice, for both summoning spells and any other conjuration spells.
Their level 14 feature mirrors what Shepherd Druids got at level 6.
In my eyes, there is no competition between what class is the best summoner in the game. Shepherd Druids win by a mile.
Keep in mind you do not need to constantly flood the battlefield with 8 conjured creatures ... just pick a higher CR, lower quantity option and you'll do just fine. Heck, Summon Beast is a great spell on its own, and it only brings along one creature.
Finally, if you want the teleportation, just invest a feat into Fey Touched to get Misty Step into your spell list. Summoners in particular generally don't need all of their ASIs, because they can get by with less than maxed spellcasting stats but they want to max out Constitution.
If you want to play a summoner, go with Shepherd Druid. They get two immediately useful features at second level, summoning or not (both are even better with summons): Essentially an always-on Speak with Animals, and the Spirit Totem. The Spirit Totem is useful whether you have summons or not, but becomes exponentially better when you have more creatures on the battlefield.
At sixth level, they get two additional buffs for their summons -- magical attacks and extra HP. They get that extra HP eight levels earlier than Conjuration Wizards get a similar buff to their summons' health (in the form of temp HP).
Their level 10 feature improves their totem in regards to their summons. It's a nice benefit.
Their level 14 feature is mostly just a fun bonus that helps their survivability.
Meanwhile, Conjuration Wizards get a bad feature at level two. The item being visibly magical really limits the potential of their minor conjuration. And it does nothing for summoning spells.
Their level 6 feature is a modified Misty Step, basically. Useful, but not for summoning.
Their level 10 feature is very nice, for both summoning spells and any other conjuration spells.
Their level 14 feature mirrors what Shepherd Druids got at level 6.
In my eyes, there is no competition between what class is the best summoner in the game. Shepherd Druids win by a mile.
Keep in mind you do not need to constantly flood the battlefield with 8 conjured creatures ... just pick a higher CR, lower quantity option and you'll do just fine. Heck, Summon Beast is a great spell on its own, and it only brings along one creature.
Finally, if you want the teleportation, just invest a feat into Fey Touched to get Misty Step into your spell list. Summoners in particular generally don't need all of their ASIs, because they can get by with less than maxed spellcasting stats but they want to max out Constitution.
Thanks, good points!
In regards to summon beast, I see it's possible to upcast, is it ever worth doing or just better to focus on other summons after you become a higher level?
Was thinking since it gets some extra hp but more importantly more attacks
Honestly, not sure. I think it mostly depends on what you want from the character -- does controlling a small pack of wolves appeal to you more than controlling one very angry possum (I always flavor my Summon Beast as a possum)?
The one thing that doesn't work about it is that level 6 Shepherd ability, as the Bestial Spirit does not use hit dice for its HP calculation. That said, talk with your DM. I think it would be a really easy fix (something like +2 HP per level of the spell or something?).
Honestly, not sure. I think it mostly depends on what you want from the character -- does controlling a small pack of wolves appeal to you more than controlling one very angry possum (I always flavor my Summon Beast as a possum)?
The one thing that doesn't work about it is that level 6 Shepherd ability, as the Bestial Spirit does not use hit dice for its HP calculation. That said, talk with your DM. I think it would be a really easy fix (something like +2 HP per level of the spell or something?).
I don't think it's very fair to compare those two, since clearly the possum is superior.
Plus, as a Druid, you can Wild Shape and fight alongside your summoned Bear/Tiger/Opossum. In the thick of the battle, the enemy might even forget which of you is which!
Well, except for the fact i'm not a moon druid so it would be a tiger and a house cat :p
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Instead of a conjuration wizard? I'm trying to decide what spells I'd enjoy having and other tricks... I'm looking to make a summoner and it's either a gnome or an old human, not specific for the two classes, gnome druid or gnome wizard, or human druid and so on.
I do like wildshape, I love the fact I can speak with animals, so those parts are fine.
I think I like summon beast, but not sure I'm a fan of the conjure woodland beings and such spells because there's so many of them and I'm not that keen on having too many things to control at the same time... I think. Also in general, the rest of the spells.. Having some healing is always nice and the option to pick and change spells now and then is good too.
Wizard on the other hand gets more teleport, illusions and such spells I really enjoy. On the other hand I'm not sure how fond I am of the demonic summons, though I am not averted to them. Some seem cool, some are just weird.. The constructs seem nice though.
Some thoughts on some cool spells to use, or other ideas of why I should pick the druid variant, is welcome
If you want to play a summoner, go with Shepherd Druid. They get two immediately useful features at second level, summoning or not (both are even better with summons): Essentially an always-on Speak with Animals, and the Spirit Totem. The Spirit Totem is useful whether you have summons or not, but becomes exponentially better when you have more creatures on the battlefield.
At sixth level, they get two additional buffs for their summons -- magical attacks and extra HP. They get that extra HP eight levels earlier than Conjuration Wizards get a similar buff to their summons' health (in the form of temp HP).
Their level 10 feature improves their totem in regards to their summons. It's a nice benefit.
Their level 14 feature is mostly just a fun bonus that helps their survivability.
Meanwhile, Conjuration Wizards get a bad feature at level two. The item being visibly magical really limits the potential of their minor conjuration. And it does nothing for summoning spells.
Their level 6 feature is a modified Misty Step, basically. Useful, but not for summoning.
Their level 10 feature is very nice, for both summoning spells and any other conjuration spells.
Their level 14 feature mirrors what Shepherd Druids got at level 6.
In my eyes, there is no competition between what class is the best summoner in the game. Shepherd Druids win by a mile.
Keep in mind you do not need to constantly flood the battlefield with 8 conjured creatures ... just pick a higher CR, lower quantity option and you'll do just fine. Heck, Summon Beast is a great spell on its own, and it only brings along one creature.
Finally, if you want the teleportation, just invest a feat into Fey Touched to get Misty Step into your spell list. Summoners in particular generally don't need all of their ASIs, because they can get by with less than maxed spellcasting stats but they want to max out Constitution.
Thanks, good points!
In regards to summon beast, I see it's possible to upcast, is it ever worth doing or just better to focus on other summons after you become a higher level?
Was thinking since it gets some extra hp but more importantly more attacks
Honestly, not sure. I think it mostly depends on what you want from the character -- does controlling a small pack of wolves appeal to you more than controlling one very angry possum (I always flavor my Summon Beast as a possum)?
The one thing that doesn't work about it is that level 6 Shepherd ability, as the Bestial Spirit does not use hit dice for its HP calculation. That said, talk with your DM. I think it would be a really easy fix (something like +2 HP per level of the spell or something?).
I don't think it's very fair to compare those two, since clearly the possum is superior.
Well, except for the fact i'm not a moon druid so it would be a tiger and a house cat :p