So my problem with their intent / the errata, is that all of the spells include the wording "or lower", which means that in all cases where choice of creature is left to the DM's discretion, the DM can just decide to stiff you every single time. Why would I ever want to burn a 4th level or higher spell slot to summon a single CR 1, 1/2, or 1/4 creature? In the case of those spells which give you bracketed options, Conjure Animals/Minor Elementals/Woodland Beings, why even offer any other option but eight 1/4 CR or lower creatures, since I would rather have eight 1/4 CR or lower creatures rather than four, two, or even just one CR 1/4 or lower creatures?
Granted, most DM's -- who don't just immediately house rule that players can choose whichever legal targets for the spell they like (perhaps with a caveat against Chwingas and the like) -- will choose max level creatures to avoid disappointing their players, but why even give them the opportunity to do otherwise? Isn't it better game design to determine a minimum power for the effect that is level appropriate, rather than having the maximum power of the spell effect be level appropriate, since in the former case the DM has the discretion to delight their players, whereas in the latter case they only have the discretion to disappoint? Especially given the oblique wording which the casual reader will take to mean that they are the one who chooses specific creatures, shouldn't WOTC take extra care to insure players don't have the rug pulled out from under them?
Certainly now you can summon exactly what you want using the new summon options then, rather than the old conjure spells. But if your DM is often lowering the CR, I’d really question if that DM is worth playing with. I bet illusions (and really all spells that don’t directly damage creatures instantaneously) aren’t much fun with them either.
Certainly now you can summon exactly what you want using the new summon options then, rather than the old conjure spells. But if your DM is often lowering the CR, I’d really question if that DM is worth playing with. I bet illusions (and really all spells that don’t directly damage creatures instantaneously) aren’t much fun with them either.
So my problem with their intent / the errata, is that all of the spells include the wording "or lower", which means that in all cases where choice of creature is left to the DM's discretion, the DM can just decide to stiff you every single time. Why would I ever want to burn a 4th level or higher spell slot to summon a single CR 1, 1/2, or 1/4 creature? In the case of those spells which give you bracketed options, Conjure Animals/Minor Elementals/Woodland Beings, why even offer any other option but eight 1/4 CR or lower creatures, since I would rather have eight 1/4 CR or lower creatures rather than four, two, or even just one CR 1/4 or lower creatures?
I'd guess the "or lower" clause is included to avoid "oops, there are no creatures of that type for that CR" (in cases the DM is limiting the creatures to those "appropriate" for terrain or something, or is running a homebrew world that doesn't include every creature in the books, or whatever reason). Given the concept of "spells do what they say they do, and nothing more", it'd be against the rules for a spell that conjured a CR 2 creature to conjure a CR 1 creature. The clause is probably there to allow for choosing a lower CR creature in case the higher one is unavailable, or not desired.
In any case, if you're worried that your DM might "stiff you", you're playing with the wrong DM. The relationship between a DM and a player should not be adversarial. If it is, having the DM summon lower CR creatures for your Conjure spell is hardly the biggest of your worries.
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They also do errata for philosophical changes. When they decided to be more PC and remove sexist/racist language, they did a bunch of errata.
That's still "existing text is inconsistent with intent", it's just that the intent might be new.
So my problem with their intent / the errata, is that all of the spells include the wording "or lower", which means that in all cases where choice of creature is left to the DM's discretion, the DM can just decide to stiff you every single time. Why would I ever want to burn a 4th level or higher spell slot to summon a single CR 1, 1/2, or 1/4 creature? In the case of those spells which give you bracketed options, Conjure Animals/Minor Elementals/Woodland Beings, why even offer any other option but eight 1/4 CR or lower creatures, since I would rather have eight 1/4 CR or lower creatures rather than four, two, or even just one CR 1/4 or lower creatures?
Granted, most DM's -- who don't just immediately house rule that players can choose whichever legal targets for the spell they like (perhaps with a caveat against Chwingas and the like) -- will choose max level creatures to avoid disappointing their players, but why even give them the opportunity to do otherwise? Isn't it better game design to determine a minimum power for the effect that is level appropriate, rather than having the maximum power of the spell effect be level appropriate, since in the former case the DM has the discretion to delight their players, whereas in the latter case they only have the discretion to disappoint? Especially given the oblique wording which the casual reader will take to mean that they are the one who chooses specific creatures, shouldn't WOTC take extra care to insure players don't have the rug pulled out from under them?
Certainly now you can summon exactly what you want using the new summon options then, rather than the old conjure spells. But if your DM is often lowering the CR, I’d really question if that DM is worth playing with. I bet illusions (and really all spells that don’t directly damage creatures instantaneously) aren’t much fun with them either.
I second this statement.
I'd guess the "or lower" clause is included to avoid "oops, there are no creatures of that type for that CR" (in cases the DM is limiting the creatures to those "appropriate" for terrain or something, or is running a homebrew world that doesn't include every creature in the books, or whatever reason). Given the concept of "spells do what they say they do, and nothing more", it'd be against the rules for a spell that conjured a CR 2 creature to conjure a CR 1 creature. The clause is probably there to allow for choosing a lower CR creature in case the higher one is unavailable, or not desired.
In any case, if you're worried that your DM might "stiff you", you're playing with the wrong DM. The relationship between a DM and a player should not be adversarial. If it is, having the DM summon lower CR creatures for your Conjure spell is hardly the biggest of your worries.