Advice on a Conjurer

[Greenfield]

This is a purely theoretical exercise: I'm trying to figure out a Conjuration specialist. I'm not building one, just trying to see what the advantages are.

I've read, many times, that Evocation casters, while common, aren't really optimum. They're trying to do via magic what any decent Fighter can do: Deliver straight damage.

So how do I build a better Conjurer (any class)? Start with straight PHB classes, feats and options.

What are the good options for summoned creatures, and why? (i.e. Wolves work as a team, and have Improved Trip.)

Again, please stick to straight PHB options, at least to begin with.

 

[Richards]

I'd probably start with the Augment Summoning feat. +4 Str and +4 Con to your summoned creatures is nothing to sneeze at, especially at lower levels. And that requires Spell Focus (conjuration) as a prerequisite, so you'd need to start there.

Johnathan

 

[Dandu]

Here's a conjurer wizard at level 10. His spellbook has a lot of options to cover various situations - and I neglected to select Summon Monster spells because I'm more a fan of utility and battlefield control.

 

[Grogg of the North]

For conjurer you have many different options available to you. Summoning, battlefield control and direct damage.

For summon spells, definitely look at Augment Summoning. You're going to want to look at summons that have unique abilities. Monsters that can trip, grapple or swallow whole are a plus. So now, you've not only added another fighter to the battlefield but you've also, hopefully, put a big ball of hit points on the battlefield that your cleric doesn't have to really worry about. Each axe blow that your celestial bear takes is damage your fighter doesn't need healed. Each time your fiendish wolf knocks a bandit on his butt is an opportunity for your fighter to power attack and finish him off.

For battlefield control, you have so many options. Grease, glitter dust, web and stinking cloud are just a few! If the enemy is slipping around on the ground, nauseous and blind then you're doing everyone a favor.

For damage, you have acid arrow, incendiary cloud and acid fog. But just because you are a conjurer doesn't mean you can't grab fireball. Unless you've banned Evocation. Where the big problem comes is when you add in other books. Things like the Orb of X spells from Complete Arcane. Now, your dealing as much damage as an evoker.

One other thing to note is that a lot of conjuration spells ignore SR and make your touch AC your save. Most evocation spells do not ignore SR and allow saves for half.