Sorcerer in need of Knowledge(Planes)

[Nightfall]

isn't the hellian, in r & r 2, a sorcerer based prc? seeing as wizards are never inducted into the group. it also gets some pretty cool abilities. not that its a summoner, but it is sorcerer based.

Yeah but I was trying to be a little less general specific. Not to mention the Helliann don't do much in the way of summoning just tatooing.

Okay well guys I appreciate at least Gaidin explaining how that might work for getting more summonings. So I guess that's fine. But still seems to me that there's some stuff about Summoner I'd like to fix. And I plan to with my R&R Revised Pr-classes in the near future.

 

[0-hr]

After all of this, I probably won't go with Summoner just because I don't like the requirement that even all of my non-summoning spells have to relate to my patron. As a sorcerer, I have too few spell choices as it is without having to waste options just to placate a patron. It's the same reason all those pages of Scion feats are a waste - I just can't see limiting myself any further. Ah well, I really wanted to use a Scarred Lands PrC to capture some of the flavor of our new campaign, but I'll probably end up a vanilla sorcerer just so my spell selection isn't hamstrung.

Thanks for the advice and help though.

 

[Gaiden]

After all of this, I probably won't go with Summoner just because I don't like the requirement that even all of my non-summoning spells have to relate to my patron. As a sorcerer, I have too few spell choices as it is without having to waste options just to placate a patron. It's the same reason all those pages of Scion feats are a waste - I just can't see limiting myself any further. Ah well, I really wanted to use a Scarred Lands PrC to capture some of the flavor of our new campaign, but I'll probably end up a vanilla sorcerer just so my spell selection isn't hamstrung.

Thanks for the advice and help though.

I too have attempted a summoner build worthy of the name. One thing I came up with which you might be interested in is somehow gaining access to the Summoner domain from DotF. I believe this is possible with the Contemplative PrC. However, IDHMBWM and could be wrong. If anything, gaining one level of Contemplative to get the domain is useful as from the description under prestige domains there is nothing saying that it has to apply to cleric spells. With that you could get one extra known spell per level (all summon and planar ally spells) and get the extend feat for free for any summoned creature. There is also the summoner PrC from 3.5 in the DMG.

I think the best build for a summoner is a cleric though. The reason for this is that they can, aside from gaining access to the summoner domain, also gain access to the good, law, evil, and chaos domains increasing the level of the summon spells when used to summon creatures of the type. They are a bit more limited of course with the limit on their selection of creatures with the rules as written.

I know this might be altering significantly from your original idea, but have you looked at the PrC on WoTC boards that deals with astral constructs. Those constructs will really kick ___ given the feats, PrC and flexibility of the psion class.

 

[pawsplay]

I'm fond of one level of Bard as a quick fix for ignorant Sorcerers. Not only do you get plenty of skill ranks, but you can even inspire the things you summon.

 

[billd91]

I'm fond of one level of Bard as a quick fix for ignorant Sorcerers. Not only do you get plenty of skill ranks, but you can even inspire the things you summon.

Another option if the DM will allow it. Take a level of Expert (the NPC class). With that you can PICK your 10 class skills and get 6 skill points per level. Think of it as advanced, though non-adventuring oriented, education concentrating on a specific topic.

Or just ask the DM to allow you to add one measley little knowledge skill to your repertoire of class skills.

 

[pawsplay]

Yeah. I think just about any DM would let you take Knowledge (the planes) instead of Knowledge (arcana), at the very least.

 

[MeepoTheMighty]

If you have access to Book of Exalted Deeds, the Exalted Arcanist prestige class is decent for summoners. You get a number of nifty divine spells on your class list including the planar ally line, which allow you access into the Thaumaturgist class from the DMG. I was going to play a character like that, but figured a goody-two shoes calling down angelic fury wouldn't be a good fit with the current band of nogoodniks I'm traveling with.

So I switched it up a bit, and I'm instead playing a Conjurer/Druid/Mystic Theurge, which is also a pretty neat summoner as well.

 

[Nightfall]

After all of this, I probably won't go with Summoner just because I don't like the requirement that even all of my non-summoning spells have to relate to my patron. As a sorcerer, I have too few spell choices as it is without having to waste options just to placate a patron. It's the same reason all those pages of Scion feats are a waste - I just can't see limiting myself any further. Ah well, I really wanted to use a Scarred Lands PrC to capture some of the flavor of our new campaign, but I'll probably end up a vanilla sorcerer just so my spell selection isn't hamstrung.

Thanks for the advice and help though.

There's far more good SL sorcerer Pr-classes than just summoner. Helliann, demonologist, Japhian Dynast, Blessed of Mesos, Adept of the Flame...I'm running out of lists. If you really want power, Blessed of Mesos. No question. It's flavor AND its fun. Scion feats are only a waste if all you want is to pick spells period. To me the fun of a Scion feat is being able to use in a Pr-class OR just as a way to gain more out of it. Angel-blooded man. Trust me Ki Ryn, you won't be sorry with any of these choices.

 

[Nightfall]

If you have access to Book of Exalted Deeds, the Exalted Arcanist prestige class is decent for summoners. You get a number of nifty divine spells on your class list including the planar ally line, which allow you access into the Thaumaturgist class from the DMG. I was going to play a character like that, but figured a goody-two shoes calling down angelic fury wouldn't be a good fit with the current band of nogoodniks I'm traveling with.

So I switched it up a bit, and I'm instead playing a Conjurer/Druid/Mystic Theurge, which is also a pretty neat summoner as well.

Bah. Blessed of Mesos kicks them around and makes them cry Uncle. Course I happen to enjoy Hallowed Mage more myself.