First Round Summoning Monster [Archive] - Wizards Community

First Round Summoning Monster [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Maxxx
03-10-06, 04:49 AM I have a villain that starts the fight with two summon monster V in the first round, but I am not sure what to summon to effectively battle a standard group of level 8 to 9. What would you sink is the best combination of creatures for such a cater and 2 summon monster V's ?
runestar
03-10-06, 05:29 AM What's your NPC and what allies does he have? I assume he's a lv9-10 mage? Do you automatically start with the 2 summon monsters or do you have to spend precious rounds casting them? If its the latter, you might want to start with a wall of force to buy you enough time to cast them. You will probably want a tank or 2, plus maybe an archer or ranged combatant. You will probably want the option with the most hp. For ranged, maybe you can opt for 1d4+1 dretches instead? Perhaps have them mass cast scare on the PCs followed by stinking cloud. :P What strategies is your NPC using?
Maxxx
03-10-06, 06:41 AM The NPC is a 11th level cleric with 2 rapid spell modified summon monster V memorised and divine metamagic quicken to get them out in the first round. After that round he tries to use a divine metamagic rapid spell modified planar ally to call an allied barbed devil to help him (this would cost him 10 rounds). In the two rounds before the encounter he has used divine metamagic rapid spell to call a total of 10 Fiendish boar's with two summon monster V and a metamagic rod of maximize.
runestar
03-10-06, 09:20 AM A boar only has an average of 25hp, a 9th lv fighter with PA and a 2-handed weapon can readily cleave through them easily. I really don't think even 10 of them will prove more than a speed bump, even if you argue that it buys you a few rounds, it seems the 6th lv slots are better spent elsewhere.
Maxxx
03-10-06, 10:03 AM That's a good point, but the use of other types of spells is not a real solution as the guy should really be focused on summoning, but I could use the descecrate spell and switch to summon undead instead, those ogre zombies summoned with summon undead III (or 4 of them when using summon undead V), with descecrate, would have an average of 63 hp. Wyvern zombies using summon undead IV would have a total of 108 hp and he could use some of the lower level spells to buff them (bless, magic circle against good, etc.) and using inflict mass to heal them. Using summon undead IV to call 4 bugbear zombies each is also not that bad, as these would also have an average 48 hp each. I don't think the sole fighter of the group would charge at a sight of 8 or more ogre zombies not knowing what else to suspect.
Maxxx
03-10-06, 10:09 AM Just realized that Insect Plague is also an option as it summons 3 swarms and can be used to annoy the group's wizard, who really has a bad fort save.
runestar
03-10-06, 12:09 PM If you wish to play a cleric focused on summoning theme, perhaps consider the thaumaturgist prc from the SRD/DMG3.5?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Maxxx 03-10-06, 04:49 AM	I have a villain that starts the fight with two summon monster V in the first round, but I am not sure what to summon to effectively battle a standard group of level 8 to 9. What would you sink is the best combination of creatures for such a cater and 2 summon monster V's ?
runestar 03-10-06, 05:29 AM	What's your NPC and what allies does he have? I assume he's a lv9-10 mage? Do you automatically start with the 2 summon monsters or do you have to spend precious rounds casting them? If its the latter, you might want to start with a wall of force to buy you enough time to cast them. You will probably want a tank or 2, plus maybe an archer or ranged combatant. You will probably want the option with the most hp. For ranged, maybe you can opt for 1d4+1 dretches instead? Perhaps have them mass cast scare on the PCs followed by stinking cloud. :P What strategies is your NPC using?
Maxxx 03-10-06, 06:41 AM	The NPC is a 11th level cleric with 2 rapid spell modified summon monster V memorised and divine metamagic quicken to get them out in the first round. After that round he tries to use a divine metamagic rapid spell modified planar ally to call an allied barbed devil to help him (this would cost him 10 rounds). In the two rounds before the encounter he has used divine metamagic rapid spell to call a total of 10 Fiendish boar's with two summon monster V and a metamagic rod of maximize.
runestar 03-10-06, 09:20 AM	A boar only has an average of 25hp, a 9th lv fighter with PA and a 2-handed weapon can readily cleave through them easily. I really don't think even 10 of them will prove more than a speed bump, even if you argue that it buys you a few rounds, it seems the 6th lv slots are better spent elsewhere.
Maxxx 03-10-06, 10:03 AM	That's a good point, but the use of other types of spells is not a real solution as the guy should really be focused on summoning, but I could use the descecrate spell and switch to summon undead instead, those ogre zombies summoned with summon undead III (or 4 of them when using summon undead V), with descecrate, would have an average of 63 hp. Wyvern zombies using summon undead IV would have a total of 108 hp and he could use some of the lower level spells to buff them (bless, magic circle against good, etc.) and using inflict mass to heal them. Using summon undead IV to call 4 bugbear zombies each is also not that bad, as these would also have an average 48 hp each. I don't think the sole fighter of the group would charge at a sight of 8 or more ogre zombies not knowing what else to suspect.
Maxxx 03-10-06, 10:09 AM	Just realized that Insect Plague is also an option as it summons 3 swarms and can be used to annoy the group's wizard, who really has a bad fort save.
runestar 03-10-06, 12:09 PM	If you wish to play a cleric focused on summoning theme, perhaps consider the thaumaturgist prc from the SRD/DMG3.5?