Post/Author/DateTime	Post
rinagar 01-14-05, 02:55 PM	I'm compiling a short list of Summoned monsters and would like to get your vote for which are the best monsters to summon. I realize that different situations might warrant monsters with special talents, certain elementals might be better in this situation or that, but just for general overall combat, I'd like to hear what you think the top 1 or 2 monsters are for each level Summoning spell. It might even be that your recommendation for a certain level of spell is to summon more monsters of a lower level, etc. Basically I just wanna know, for each level of spell, what's the best monster or monsters to summon from the list. This is for land combat so don't worry about water or flying scenarios. Thanks much.
Tsuul 01-14-05, 02:59 PM	The one listed in the PHB, of course. :P
Tsuul 01-14-05, 03:04 PM	What is the level of the character now? Usualy the best monster to summon is your highest level available, unless your in a special situation that needs multiples or have a specific need.
tarkin 01-14-05, 03:10 PM	Summon monsters sucks for general combat. The spell's entire usefullness is for unsual combat situations, and for NON-combat stuff. Dogs track, owl fly, beetles glow providing light porpoise swim badgers rage and have scent (invisible creatures) Monkey has hands to manipulate things. etc. etc. etc.
rinagar 01-14-05, 03:18 PM	Just compiling a general list for all the spell levels, not for a specific character. And lets just imagine, for a moment, that you DO just want to summon something to help fight for a few rounds: what do you think is the best monster to summon for basic combat. For example, for Monster Summon III, I think that a Celestial Bison is pretty decent, good hit points, strong attack, and Damage resistance. It's not a complicated question. If you don't think there is such a thing, you need not comment here. Thanks.
tarkin 01-14-05, 04:02 PM	My preferences, note these are the best of a poor lot 1) badger: Rage 2) bee vs single enemey, bombadier vs many enemeies 3) bison: charge 4) lion: rake and bite = grapple 5) griffon/tiger (rake) or against spell casters: bear (grapple) 6) dire lion vs single opponent, air elemental vs many (high dex + combat reflexes + 10 ft reach) 7) fire/air elementals = 15 ft + high dex + combat reflexes vs many. Girralon vs single. 8) fire/air elementals vs many, dire bear vs single opponent. 9) fire/air elementals vs many, Leonal vs single.
rinagar 01-14-05, 04:06 PM	That's just what I needed. Thanks for taking the time to give it some thought.
Kratch 01-14-05, 10:37 PM	I'm partial for using my third level SM to cal 1D3 wolves. But generally, the list above by Tarkin is quite good.
TrustTymora 01-15-05, 01:16 AM	Archon, lantern way way tougher then it looks. Ultra effective when you get many of them buzzing around. Try it, I think you will agree. Added bonus - still effective against those spell casters that put up a Protection from... spell! Bear or Lion can't touch but nice fuzzy little floating balls of light blasting away with a little +2 ranged attack seem to do the trick every time. Not to mention their mobility, damage reduction, aura of menace, magic circle against evil, ability to cast aid and other spells(see below) Ever thought about opening a shop that sells continual flame items! LOL TT
rinagar 01-15-05, 01:32 AM	yeah I recently discovered the lantern archon myself while I was working on my Summon monster tables. Another cool thing is they can Teleport at will and transport up to 50 lbs with them. Since they can understand any language with Tongues, it's easy to communicate with them and tell them go fetch something on the other side of the battlefield, etc...
TrustTymora 01-15-05, 03:40 AM	No actually they can't use their teleport ability according to the spell. TT
rinagar 01-15-05, 04:32 AM	my mistake...I stand corrected.