Gate vs. Monster Summon IX

[Izod]

As I read these 2 spells I can't see a differance other than, with Gate you can summon higher level and a more diversified array of creatures. Why would a caster ever take MS IX over gate. Oh and did I mention that with gate you can also travel. Seems like a no brainer to me, so I must be over looking something.

Also with gate it says that you can summon up to twice your HD if you summon only one creature. Well last time I looked there aren't any creatures of that HD listed in the MM. Does that mean you summon a pit fiend off the addvancement table or what?

 

[Arravis]

Another question on this...

Can you open a Gate on the same plane you're on if you're using it for travel?

 

[Cloudgatherer]

Well, when you look at them like that....

Here's the big difference between SM IX and Gate (IMO). Gate is a "calling" spell. This means whatever you call actually shows up, fights, and remembers who/what summoned it. If a gated creature dies, then it is dead (unlike SM IX).

So imagine being a summoner, and you summon a Solar to fight for you, and it gets killed. In most games, that might be the last of it, but DMs should note that the Solar is now missing from its homeplane. Is anyone (possibly a deity, another solar, other planar beings) going to notice?

But let's say the solar lives, vanquishes the enemy and can now return. The solar itself may look down upon you for calling it to fight in a "mortal affair". Do it repeatedly, abusing the power of Gate, the offending wizard may just get a visit from a divine agent.....

All this you can gather by reading the descriptions of summoning vs. calling spells. Gate is one of the few calling spells, while the SM series is purely summoning. Gate offers greater power, but also greater risk and responsibility.

Well, that's just one outlook on it anyway .

And in answer to the "travel" question:

A gate cannot be opened to another point on the same plane; the spell works only for interplanar travel.

Later!

 

[Greatwyrm]

Also, with SM IX, you get what you ask for. With Gate, there is nothing preventing what you ask for and anything else hanging around the gate from coming through. Sure, you control the demon you summoned, but his 6 buddies wandered through the hole too. Now what do you do?

 

[JacktheRabbit]

Summoned monsters fight for you no questions asked. Gate brings in an intelligent creature that may have qualms about an action and when it goes back to its home plane may remember what you did and get back at you later.

 

[LordAO]

There is no chance of pulling other creatures through when you use gate to call a creature. The gate opens on the creature, and stays open only long enough to transport it to you.

 

[0-hr]

There is no chance of pulling other creatures through when you use gate to call a creature. The gate opens on the creature, and stays open only long enough to transport it to you.

the SRD:

By naming a particular being or type of being as the
character cast the spell, the character may cause the gate to
open in the immediate vicinity of the desired creature and pull
the subject through, willing or unwilling.

Time gate is open? (shrug) I'd guess one round.

 

[Macbrea]

That also depends on what you ask for.

Sorceror, "I gate in a pit fiend to help me with this fight."


Gate opens and pit fiend is drug through, Another pitfiend standing next to him decided to come through also, because hey, it was a call for all pitfiends right? Heck, His two leutenants, who are pitfiends also come through! After all its a generic call for any pitfiend!

Quote from Spell gate
The character may hold the gate open only for a brief time (no more than 1 round per caster level) and must concentrate on doing so or sever the interplanar connection.

 

[Macbrea]

Now, gate is far more powerful when you actually know that pit fiends name. But then again that requires a tad bit more research and adventuring.

 

[Vaxalon]

The short version:

Gate has consequences. Summon doesn't.