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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jgsugden" data-source="post: 1196214" data-attributes="member: 2629">There is a trade off in spells: Raw power versus versatility. If a spell is very versatile, it is usually lower in pure power than other spells of the same spell level. If the spell has a lot of punch, it is usually restricted to only specific uses.Summon spells are the kings of versatility. They can be used to deal damage, to transport the party, to absorb damage, to provide healing, etc ... There are no spells out there that are as versatile. As a result, the pure power of these spells is very low. A fireball will do a heck of a lot more damage than a SM III monster. A fly spell will provide better transportation than a SM III monster. 3.5 tried to limit all the versatile spells. Eyebite was restructured. Emotion and Symbol were broken up into various spells. The only true multitasker remaining is the summon monster series. I have a feeling that they'll be completely reworked in 4.0 to remove the versatility. Instead of SM I, there will be Summon Celestial Hound. Instead of SM III, you'll have Summon Elemental (Lesser). Until then, try to figure out how to maximize the versatility. That is where these spells are really useful.</blockquote>