Caster Level on Summoning Spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Caster Level on Summoning Spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Errik
12-21-07, 12:09 AM I believe the answer on this is "no" but wanted to make sure before giving up. Does caster level do anything at all in regards to a summon spell? For example, a Fire Gnome(+2 caster level on spells with "fire" descriptor) uses Summon Nature's Ally II to call into play a small fire elemental and thus giving the spell the "fire" descriptor. So, my thoughts are that by rights it should improve the spell but by the rules it doesn't. Maybe I can talk my DM into adding a couple HD on or something. And thanks in advance for your feedback.

~Errik
steventirey1985
12-21-07, 12:14 AM An increase in caster level doesn't improve the creature summoned at all, but it does make the spell last longer.
Tedronai
12-21-07, 12:18 AM Caster Level increases on summoning spells will increase their duration, and make it more difficult to dispel the summoned creatures.
Errik
12-21-07, 12:27 AM Ooh. Didn't think of that. Not to bad. Thanks!
groveborn
12-21-07, 01:11 AM Only Summon Monster spells change their descriptors when summoning an elemental type. Summon Nature's Ally does not.

In the event that you meant Summon Monster, everyone who responded is correct.
Merestil Haye
12-21-07, 10:40 AM Only Summon Monster spells change their descriptors when summoning an elemental type. Summon Nature's Ally does not.That is not correct. Summon Nature's Ally spells also take on descriptors if the creature summoned is of a relevant type. From SNA IX :When you use a summoning spell to summon an air, chaotic, earth, evil, fire, good, lawful, or water creature, it is a spell of that type.
groveborn
12-21-07, 10:47 AM Summon Nature's Ally I
spell
Conjuration (Summoning)

Level:
Druid 1, Ranger 1

Components:
V, S, DF

Casting Time:
1 round

Range:
Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)

Effect:
One summoned creature

Duration:
1 round/level (D)

Saving Throw:
None

Spell Resistance:
No

This spell summons a natural creature. It appears where you designate and acts immediately, on your turn. It attacks your opponents to the best of its ability. If you can communicate with the creature, you can direct it not to attack, to attack particular enemies, or to perform other actions.

A summoned monster cannot summon or otherwise conjure another creature, nor can it use any teleportation or planar travel abilities. Creatures cannot be summoned into an environment that cannot support them.

The spell conjures one of the creatures from the 1st-level list on the accompanying Summon Nature's Ally table. You choose which kind of creature to summon, and you can change that choice each time you cast the spell. All the creatures on the table are neutral unless otherwise noted.

I don't see where it says that. Perhaps you'll be kind enough to show it to me?
Merestil Haye
12-21-07, 11:46 AM I don't see where it says that. Perhaps you'll be kind enough to show it to me?Certainly (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/summonNaturesAllyIX.htm).
narack
12-21-07, 12:35 PM caster level is really usefull expecially against enemy using protection against X or circle of protection tehy can banish your puppy with a simple low level spell
steventirey1985
12-21-07, 01:08 PM I don't see where it says that. Perhaps you'll be kind enough to show it to me?

Summon Natures Ally I and II don't have that sentance, but III through IX do.
groveborn
12-21-07, 10:58 PM And that's why I didn't catch it, since I used 1 to base the rest off, as they do!

So 1 and 2 don't change, but 3-9 do. Have fun...:rolleyes:
risner
12-23-07, 12:20 AM So 1 and 2 don't change, but 3-9 do. Have fun...:rolleyes:

It is either an editing error, or there are no qualifying monsters in SNAI and SNAII.
steventirey1985
12-23-07, 01:04 AM SNA I dosn't have any creatures that would qualify. However, SNA II lists small elementals, so it should take on the appropriate descriptor.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Errik 12-21-07, 12:09 AM	I believe the answer on this is "no" but wanted to make sure before giving up. Does caster level do anything at all in regards to a summon spell? For example, a Fire Gnome(+2 caster level on spells with "fire" descriptor) uses Summon Nature's Ally II to call into play a small fire elemental and thus giving the spell the "fire" descriptor. So, my thoughts are that by rights it should improve the spell but by the rules it doesn't. Maybe I can talk my DM into adding a couple HD on or something. And thanks in advance for your feedback. ~Errik
steventirey1985 12-21-07, 12:14 AM	An increase in caster level doesn't improve the creature summoned at all, but it does make the spell last longer.
Tedronai 12-21-07, 12:18 AM	Caster Level increases on summoning spells will increase their duration, and make it more difficult to dispel the summoned creatures.
Errik 12-21-07, 12:27 AM	Ooh. Didn't think of that. Not to bad. Thanks!
groveborn 12-21-07, 01:11 AM	Only Summon Monster spells change their descriptors when summoning an elemental type. Summon Nature's Ally does not. In the event that you meant Summon Monster, everyone who responded is correct.
Merestil Haye 12-21-07, 10:40 AM	Only Summon Monster spells change their descriptors when summoning an elemental type. Summon Nature's Ally does not.That is not correct. Summon Nature's Ally spells also take on descriptors if the creature summoned is of a relevant type. From SNA IX :When you use a summoning spell to summon an air, chaotic, earth, evil, fire, good, lawful, or water creature, it is a spell of that type.
groveborn 12-21-07, 10:47 AM	Summon Nature's Ally I spell Conjuration (Summoning) Level: Druid 1, Ranger 1 Components: V, S, DF Casting Time: 1 round Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels) Effect: One summoned creature Duration: 1 round/level (D) Saving Throw: None Spell Resistance: No This spell summons a natural creature. It appears where you designate and acts immediately, on your turn. It attacks your opponents to the best of its ability. If you can communicate with the creature, you can direct it not to attack, to attack particular enemies, or to perform other actions. A summoned monster cannot summon or otherwise conjure another creature, nor can it use any teleportation or planar travel abilities. Creatures cannot be summoned into an environment that cannot support them. The spell conjures one of the creatures from the 1st-level list on the accompanying Summon Nature's Ally table. You choose which kind of creature to summon, and you can change that choice each time you cast the spell. All the creatures on the table are neutral unless otherwise noted. I don't see where it says that. Perhaps you'll be kind enough to show it to me?
Merestil Haye 12-21-07, 11:46 AM	I don't see where it says that. Perhaps you'll be kind enough to show it to me?Certainly (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/summonNaturesAllyIX.htm).
narack 12-21-07, 12:35 PM	caster level is really usefull expecially against enemy using protection against X or circle of protection tehy can banish your puppy with a simple low level spell
steventirey1985 12-21-07, 01:08 PM	I don't see where it says that. Perhaps you'll be kind enough to show it to me? Summon Natures Ally I and II don't have that sentance, but III through IX do.
groveborn 12-21-07, 10:58 PM	And that's why I didn't catch it, since I used 1 to base the rest off, as they do! So 1 and 2 don't change, but 3-9 do. Have fun...:rolleyes:
risner 12-23-07, 12:20 AM	So 1 and 2 don't change, but 3-9 do. Have fun...:rolleyes: It is either an editing error, or there are no qualifying monsters in SNAI and SNAII.
steventirey1985 12-23-07, 01:04 AM	SNA I dosn't have any creatures that would qualify. However, SNA II lists small elementals, so it should take on the appropriate descriptor.