Augment Summoning

[Bad Paper]

Er?

oh, whoops, sorry, you didn't; I missed my Search check.

And CustServ got back to me again:

Sure.... as long as we're clear that the spell has to be from the school conjuration, and have the subschool of summoning, then correct. It won't work on other conjuration spells... such as calling, creation, healing, or teleportation.

So there it is. He's serious.

Since I haven't seen either this feat or things like Elemental Swarm in play yet, can anyone say whether they think this feat overpowers some of those ninth-level spells? I mean, there's "yes, the feat gets applied multiple times," but there's "no, when dealing with huge spells like that, it's not such a gigantic boost in power."

 

[Rystil Arden]

oh, whoops, sorry, you didn't; I missed my Search check.

And CustServ got back to me again:So there it is. He's serious.

Since I haven't seen either this feat or things like Elemental Swarm in play yet, can anyone say whether they think this feat overpowers some of those ninth-level spells? I mean, there's "yes, the feat gets applied multiple times," but there's "no, when dealing with huge spells like that, it's not such a gigantic boost in power."

Well, let's put it this way: If you're afraid of Augment Summoning, then stay far away from Greenbound Summoning from Lost Empires of Faerun!

 

[Hypersmurf]

So there it is. He's serious.

I'd have been interested to see if they gave the same answer if the Cleric text had been pointed out.

Actually, I might try myself

Edit - Question submitted:

The description of the Cleric class contains the following paragraphs:

** The cleric can “lose” any prepared spell that is not a domain spell in order to cast any /cure/ spell of the same spell level or lower (a /cure/ spell is any spell with “cure” in its name).

** An evil cleric (or a neutral cleric of an evil deity), can’t convert prepared spells to /cure/ spells but can convert them to /inflict/ spells (an /inflict/ spell is one with “inflict” in its name).

... where 'cure' and 'inflict' are italicised as indicated.

The text of the Augment Summoning feat states:

** Each creature you conjure with any /summon/ spell gains a +4 enhancement bonus to Strength and Constitution for the duration of the spell that summoned it.

... where 'summon' is italicised as indicated.

The Shadow Conjuration spell refers explicitly to 'any conjuration (summoning) spell', and the name of the subschool is 'summoning', not 'summon'.

Given that the text of Augment Summoning follows the same format as the Cleric text - 'any /italicised word/ spell' - and doesn't refer to a school and subschool by name as Shadow Conjuration does, it it reasonable to assume that 'any /summon/ spell' follows the same pattern as 'any /cure/ spell' or 'any /inflict/ spell' - that is, that 'any /summon/ spell' refers to any spell with 'summon' in its name?

If Augment Summoning were intended to affect any spell of the summoning subschool, I assume it would follow the pattern of Shadow Conjuration, and state "Each creature you conjure with any conjuration (summoning) spell..." - that is, school and subschool spelled out, no italics, and not using a form of the word different to that of the subschool name ('summon' vs 'summoning').

Does this seem correct?

Thanks,
-Hyp.

-Hyp.

 

[green slime]

um, just that it's odd that this Bard/Sorcerer/Wizard spell would be available to good-leaning clerics, but only if they prepare a different spell in its place. Also, when I think of spontaneous casting, I usually don't think of a spell with ten-minute casting time. But that's just me.

Ummm, no. Because that spell doesn't appear on their class spell list. Which was basically something I assumed, I had no pressing need to leap off and check the details of your little unlikely example. I also wouldn't expect my players to pull a fast one like that, and if they did, ... well let's just say it wouldn't be a pretty sight. So I'll say yes, it really is just you.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Bwa-ha-ha-ha!

Ah, CustServ, you never fail to amuse.

Hi there Matthew,

Thank you for contacting Wizards of the Coast game support! You are correct in that Augment Summoning refers to creatures conjured with a spell that has the word "Summon" in its name.


Take Care and Good Gaming!

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I think Sam and Chris need to sort it out... by Thunderdome!

Two Customer Service Representatives enter... one Customer Service Representative leaves!

-Hyp.

 

[DarkJester]

B

I think Sam and Chris need to sort it out... by Thunderdome!

Two Customer Service Representatives enter... one Customer Service Representative leaves!

-Hyp.

That was pretty good.

 

[Wish]

Funny, yes, but it doesn't seem to really roll off the tongue...

 

[Bad Paper]

Because that spell doesn't appear on their class spell list. Which was basically something I assumed, I had no pressing need to leap off and check the details of your little unlikely example. I also wouldn't expect my players to pull a fast one like that, and if they did, ... well let's just say it wouldn't be a pretty sight. So I'll say yes, it really is just you.

...except it's Hypersmurf's absurd example, not mine

I think Sam and Chris need to sort it out... by Thunderdome!

My money's on Chris. He's the supervisor; he's got at least one more level of Expert.

I also prodded Chris with a stick: I pointed out that Sam gave a different answer. muhaha

Can we at least debate the intent and playability of the different interpretations of the feat? Like, what happens if elemental swarm gets the benefits of the feat? Does it really matter at that high level? Eight elementals aren't, you know, such a thrilling challenge. Maybe no one cares. :\

 

[Hypersmurf]

I also prodded Chris with a stick: I pointed out that Sam gave a different answer. muhaha

Did you forward him just the answer, or the question and answer, or just tell him Sam gave a different answer?

-Hyp.

 

[green slime]

No, he prodded him with a stick, said "Sam gave a different answer" then laughed maniacally "muhaha"

Of course, that could just be my personal interpretation. I'm subjective like that.