Lantern Archon .. doubt and opinions...

[Rashak Mani]

We were facing a Demon with 20/+3 damage reduction and only one party member was able to damage it. So the Cleric used Summon Monster IV and brought a Lantern Archon.... so:

1. Are the light rays of the Lantern Archon natural energy attacks and therefore not subject to the damage reduction ?

2. "light" is a type of energy ? Or just a ranged attack form of a creature made of light and subject to damage reduction ?

3. Is the Lantern Archon a good choice of summoning ? They do have damage reduction themselves and ranged touch attack. How have you guys used this summoned creature. Good or bad evaluation ?

 

[James McMurray]

They are a good way to get around the gp cost of a continual flame.

 

[Hejdun]

They are a good way to get around the gp cost of a continual flame.

If you are using Summon Monster to get Lantern Archons, then the continual flames disappear as soon as the spell ends. If you summon them (as in, Conjuration (Calling) spells, then the spell lasts). I'll get a page quote in a second...

 

[James McMurray]

No need for a page quote, you're right. I'd forgotten that part.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

1. They are not subject to damage reduction.

2. "Light" is a type of energy (see Searing Light spell description), but it is not an element. AFAIK there are no creatures that are strong against light. Some undead are weak against light.

3. Yes, they seem very good. I don't really care about their DR, but they can actually land blows in combat. I think their damage is pretty low, actually. You'd be better off casting Greater Magic Weapon on your fighter's sword, axe, etc. At least, in my experience, YMMV.

 

[Kershek]

Hrm, I don't think energy attacks are subject to DR, but they are subject to SR...

 

[Jeremy]

Collin (the summoner, follow the link in my sig) likes to summon them as mobile gunnery stations.

He's whipped out a twinned summon monster for 2d4 of them before and dropped 8 touch attacking globes around my dragon for 2 touch attacks (against AC 6) per round for a grand total of 16d6 per round while he continued to summon other things.

Yeah, Lantern Archons are occasionally a good choice.

 

[Dr_Rictus]

Hrm, I don't think energy attacks are subject to DR, but they are subject to SR...

Only if they're spells or spell-like abilities. A lantern archon's light rays are extraordinary abilities, so they'll even work in an anti-magic field.

 

[Jeremy]

Shhhh... Not so loud. Collin reads these boards...

 

[Rashak Mani]

The light rays might work in the antimagic field... but the lantern archons themselves wont work. Summoned creatures in AMF stay in stasis or something else.

Multiple Lantern Archons soon look like a star wars episode with rays all over the place !!

Anyone else used them in combat ? Against what ? Results ?