Monster Summoning (vs. Summon Monster)

[Quasqueton]

The old AD&D1 monster summoning spells were much different than what we have in D&D3. What you got was randomly determined, and it wasn't otherworldly beings, it was orcs, goblins, ogres, and trolls.

What are some interesting game situations you saw with monster summoning in previous editions of D&D?

Quasqueton

 

[LizardWizard]

Having our heads handed to us by a bunch of really annoyed trolls.
That was no fun.

 

[smetzger]

The classic one is that you could have a low level group of PCs summoned by a high level wizard that has them do something for him.

 

[Henry]

In our previous games, we saw NO situations where a Monster Summoning spell was used. This, in 19 years of play! In 3E, because of the spell's greater utility, it has actually seen play, and conjuring mages have become more prevalent, though not by much.