New Summon Monster Rule

[Merlion]

This is my little idea for a variant way of handling Summon Monster spells. each spell can summon a creatue who has neither HD nor a CR greater than the caster level neccsary to cast each spell...or perhaps that number +1 or so.
Thoughts?

 

[Cheiromancer]

What problem are you trying to fix?

 

[Merlion]

I feel that the summon monster spells are a bit underpowered. Also to limited. Many of the given creatures you can summon with a given SM spell arent really powerful enough to do you a lot of good. SO I am trying to come up with a way to get creatures more on your own power level and open up more choices.

 

[Staffan]

The problem is that HD or CR doesn't accurately reflect the usefulness of the critter. For example, the Lantern Archon has 1 HD and CR 2, but is capable of casting Teleport without Error on itself and up to 50 lbs of objects, as well as casting Aid, Detect Evil and Continual Flame at will and being surrounded by a Magic Circle vs. Evil. That's why a Lantern Archon needs Summon Monster IV to work.

 

[seasong]

I just limit it to CR, but I also require that each creature be a separate summoning spell. That is, a wizard with Summon Lantern Archon (level 1 spell) would not be able to summon a different CR 1 creature with that spell.

In practice (and the spell caster does have Summon Lantern Archon, incidentally ), it works just fine. If a PC wants a particular creature that you don't think you, as a GM, can handle, then you say no. If the Lantern Archon bothers you, though, you might limit summonings by saying "if the creature can cast a spell higher level than the one required to summon it, you can't summon it". That would put Lantern Archons at Summon Monster VII.

Personally, though, I've enjoyed having a Lantern Archon sometimes pop up when the PCs need a language translator (tongues at will has been very helpful to them).

 

[Merlion]

So you do each one summons a single creature of the same challenge rating as the level of the spell?(I didnt realize Lantern Archons were CR 1)

 

[drnuncheon]

I just limit it to CR, but I also require that each creature be a separate summoning spell.

Your sorcerers must hate you.

J

 

[seasong]

Your sorcerers must hate you.

Heh.

On the other hand, I also allow non-combat uses of summoned creatures to last 1 minute per level, instead of 1 round per level. I like summoned creatures to have personality, extradimensional background, etc., and I encourage creative use of them .

Like I said, the most common use of the lantern archon at the moment is "summon translator".

But yeah, it's not real friendly to the sorcerers.

 

[Merlion]

It seems like creature with a CR equal to spell level would get a tad weak at higher levels. Thats why I was thinking CR equal to neccsary caster level.
but then maybe thats what you mean.

 

[KingCroMag]

In RR2 it has a Summon _____ spell. Level is based on CR/3 and has a 10 min a level duration. It might be worth a look.
-KCM