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Message: <blockquote data-quote="IanB" data-source="post: 2716626" data-attributes="member: 1473">Methodology nitpick with the summons/astral construct comparison:Since the AC is by definition the 'best' creature to summon on the AC "list" it really only makes sense to compare it directly to the 'best' melee bruisers on the summon monster lists. In most cases I think that means comparing it to the elementals.Taking the average hp/damage/armor class of a bunch of creatures with other special abilities that may or may not impact a given encounter doesn't seem very useful.But compare just the raw combat stats, setting aside any special abilities beyond DR:Elder Fire ElementalSize HAC 25Speed 60hp 204Attacks +26/+26 (2d8+6 + 2d8 fire)15' reachDR 10/--Elder Earth ElementalSize HAC 22Speed 30hp 228Attacks +27/+27 (2d10+11/19-20 crit)15' reachDR 10/--Elder Water ElementalSize HAC 23Speed 30 / swim 120hp 228Attacks +25/+25 (2d10+9/19-20 crit)15' reachDR 10/--Elder Air ElementalSize HAC 27Speed fly 100hp 204Attacks +27/+27 (2d8+6)15' reachDR 10/--9th level Astral ConstructSize HAC 33Speed 50hp 144Attacks +28/+28 (2d6+16)15' reachDR 15/magicThe construct has notably higher AC (note that it isn't high enough that, say, a rival summoned elemental would care too much), but pays for it with a very large HP deficit and a generally worse DR type. I think it looks balanced with the elementals as summons, and really, it doesn't matter how it stacks up to other summoning choices, if it isn't better than the best melee option in the other lists.Now, possibly the comparison breaks down at lower spell levels, I didn't map it all out. Someone else can take the time to do that. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /></blockquote>

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