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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Swarmkeeper" data-source="post: 8081260" data-attributes="member: 6921763">A jerk DM is gonna be a jerk DM whether you cast Conjure X or not.  That isn't the fault of the Conjure X spell mechanics.I'm not sure there really is a true Summoner archetype in 5e, but cool idea.  Conjuration Wizard or Shepard Druid come close I guess.  I picture a new subclass that gains the ability to specify the creature more accurately beyond just Type when casting a Conjure X spell, perhaps twice a day.  And with buffs and/or more creatures and/or multiple types of creatures.  But those come with class levels not just with the base spells.I think that already happens.  The DM hands over the Conjured creature stats to the player to take care of.  Not my job as DM to run the PC's summons.And that might be one reason why the choice of the specific creature is up to the DM.  The DM can pick the creature most appropriate for the environment and prevent a player from spamming wolves or pixies or whatever every time.  If the player could specify the exact creature every time, then I think the Conjure X spells become more powerful and might all be another spell level or two higher each. Now, as DM, I like to take the player's preference into account when picking the creature, assuming it makes sense for the current environment.  Rather than me just picking something that suits my DM whim, I pick 4 or 6 choices including the PCs preference and let a die roll decide.  I'm even fine with a player spending inspiration for a better chance to get what they want.  But you are right, it is not the fault of the summoning mechanic that some groups of Beasts or Fey or whatever are better than others.I think "unreliable" is overstating it - especially when we take the "jerk DM" out of the equation.  A PC gets what is advertised when the spell is cast:  "Eight beasts of challenge rating 1/4 or lower" etc.</blockquote>

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