Summon Swarm: Too powerful with errata

[Stalker0]

This argument came up in my group last week, thought I'd see what you all think.

The summon swarm spell lets you summon, bat, rat, or spider swarms. In the monster manual, all of this swarms take half damage from weapons. However, it was errated to make them immune to weapon damage.

So do you think the spell was originally intended to be immune from weapon damage and it got fixed, or is the spell too strong now that the errata is included?

 

[Rystil Arden]

This argument came up in my group last week, thought I'd see what you all think.

The summon swarm spell lets you summon, bat, rat, or spider swarms. In the monster manual, all of this swarms take half damage from weapons. However, it was errated to make them immune to weapon damage.

So do you think the spell was originally intended to be immune from weapon damage and it got fixed, or is the spell too strong now that the errata is included?

I think the power level of the spell is fine, due mainly to the duration being Concentration.

 

[Stalker0]

I think the power level of the spell is fine, due mainly to the duration being Concentration.

Concentration +2 rounds.

 

[Rystil Arden]

Concentration +2 rounds.

Yup. The extra 2 rounds aren't a big deal though. It ties up the caster's actions for a while with the Swarm as a substitute, then sticks around for two more rounds. And if you attack the caster, you can get rid of it in two rounds while also dealing damage to a permanent enemy instead of a summoned minion.

 

[Corsair]

Also note that the caster can't control where the swarms go. Especially mobile foes (monks or barbarians for instance) can just move so one of your friends is closer to the swarm.

 

[Sejs]

Bull Rushing a caster into his own swarm?

Priceless.

 

[lukelightning]

Yup. The extra 2 rounds aren't a big deal though.

You bet they are! When the swarm starts to chomp on you or your friends you can't just dismiss it...it hangs around for two more rounds eating you.

 

[werk]

You bet they are! When the swarm starts to chomp on you or your friends you can't just dismiss it...it hangs around for two more rounds eating you.

Almost like summoning a MONSTER!

 

[Bagpuss]

Yeah it is still balanced because of the real possibility of it turning on the party.

 

[lukelightning]

Almost like summoning a MONSTER!

What do you mean? With the summon monster spells you have absolute control over the monster, so it only attacks you or your friends if you tell it to.

Summon swarm summons something that you have no control of at all, other than where it initially appears and some control over how long it stays..."concentration plus two rounds."