Expanding Monster Summoning templates for Wizards

[Olive]

The subject of allowing wizards to choose templates other than fiendish and celestial for SM spells has resulted in a fair bit of discussion between one of my players and I.

We both agree that wizards should be allowed to summon creatures with other templates. What I've done for clerics is allow them to summon any template represented by their gods offered domains and religion. So the goddess Denarri (CG, domains include earth) allows her clerics to summon celestial, anarchic and earth creatures.

Currently with wizards I allow them to summon any creature on my expanded list, with any template they like. Of course if they don't speak the language they can't tell them what to do, and I'll decide what attack and target it takes on.

This seems to me to be a slightly less than ideal situation. I'm not going to change it for this campaign, but I'll almost certainly introduce a huse rule for the next campaign.

My idea is this: wizards can choose two templates at 1st level that they can summon. Afterwards they can take a feat that allows them to expand that list.

Flexible Summoner [General]
This feat allows an arcane spell caster to select two additional templates to apply to their summoned creatures.
This feat can be taken multiple times, each time applying to new templates.

Does this sound like a reasonable situation? feedback always appreciated.

 

[SteelDraco]

I think you'd want to have some restrictions on which templates could be chosen. Are we talking mostly the elemental and alignment templates from the MM, or what? I can see some other fun ones, particularly from the Manual of the Planes, but I'm not sure they'd all work too well.

Mechanically, I think that's a fine way to go about it. I'd certainly say you're restricted to spells you can cast, though (so you can't summon Fiendish critters if you're not evil), but that's built into the description of the Summon Monster spells.

 

[Olive]

I think you'd want to have some restrictions on which templates could be chosen. Are we talking mostly the elemental and alignment templates from the MM, or what? I can see some other fun ones, particularly from the Manual of the Planes, but I'm not sure they'd all work too well.

I was thinking all the basic type templates: all the elemental ones, the four alignent ones. Nothing too wierd - psuedonatural is the domain of the alienist, and shasow I'd have to consider. Nothing that gives a CR plus more than the basic celestial and fiendish templates.

Mechanically, I think that's a fine way to go about it. I'd certainly say you're restricted to spells you can cast, though (so you can't summon Fiendish critters if you're not evil), but that's built into the description of the Summon Monster spells.

I allow wizards to cast what ever spell they like, and there's no rule to suggest otherwise. Clerics, I limit.

 

[Nifft]

I really dislike Wizards summoning Celestial critters. Goes against the flavor grain IMHO.

So I made these Summon Tables which allow a Wizard to craft his own elemental critters. (It's based on the Astral Construct design table.)

-- N

 

[SteelDraco]

I really dislike Wizards summoning Celestial critters. Goes against the flavor grain IMHO.

So I made these Summon Tables which allow a Wizard to craft his own elemental critters. (It's based on the Astral Construct design table.)

Oooh. Very nice.

And thus, there was yoinkage.

 

[Ferret]

I like that table, maybe there should be a Summoned template.

 

[Olive]

I really dislike Wizards summoning Celestial critters. Goes against the flavor grain IMHO.

Those are some cool tables. If I agreed with you on the celestial thing, I'd use them.

 

[Nifft]

Those are some cool tables. If I agreed with you on the celestial thing, I'd use them.

Even if you don't agree, you are hereby permitted to use the tables.

-- N

 

[Red Baron]

I really dislike Wizards summoning Celestial critters. Goes against the flavor grain IMHO.

So I made these Summon Tables which allow a Wizard to craft his own elemental critters. (It's based on the Astral Construct design table.)

Nice work, N. Very cool.

 

[Olive]

Just out of interest does anyone ahve any feedback on my ideas?