UA: Enhanced Summoning question

[sckeener]

From Unearthed Arcana pg 60:

Enhanced Summoning (Ex): At 1st level, a conjurer using this variant gains the Augmented Summoning feat for free instead of the Scribe Scroll feat.​

Question: does this mean that the wizard gets Spell Focus (conjuration) for free at 1st level? In other words would a normal human essentially have 4 feats at first level (2 being free, 1 bonus, and 1 for 1st level)?

 

[SteelDraco]

No, they just get the benefits of Augment Summoning. It essentially skips the need for the prerequisite feat.

 

[sckeener]

Thanks that makes sense.

I'll have to take it then....

I think this tweak will fix my conjurer. I've been playing with a build for a summoner for awhile now and this UA change is sweet. Giving up the wizard feats won't be too bad since I plan to become an Alienist by 5th level.

With this I'll have the Augmented Summoning feat for free. I'll take Spell Focus (conjuration) and Cloak of the Obyrith at 1st level, Beckon the Frozen at 3rd, and Demonic Skin at 6th.

Basically I'm creating an Adams Family version of Luna Lovegood (from Harry Potter) type of character focusing on summoning.

 

[SteelDraco]

I honestly wouldn't bother with Spell Focus: Conjuration. There's just not much that it helps with, particularly if you're going to be casting summoning spells all the time.

 

[stonegod]

The UA variant you really want is the Rapid Summoning one: 1 standard action means your minions have another round to act and you are not busy casting the entire time.

Spell Focus (conjuration) is a pre-req for some PrC IIRC [Master Specialist?], and if you do things other than summon, may or may not come in handy.

 

[Legildur]

I honestly wouldn't bother with Spell Focus: Conjuration. There's just not much that it helps with, particularly if you're going to be casting summoning spells all the time.

Gotta admit, if my Druid could have avoided taking it, then he'd have been happy.

Only use I've found for it so far is on the saving throw for undead when trying hit by a cure spell of some description (yes, I know that druids aren't as good at this as a cleric, but sometimes you just have to sacrifice the cure critical wounds to save your own skin).

 

[sckeener]

Since I'd like to get Beckon the Frozen, I'm stuck getting spell focus conjuration. It is a prereg.

I am envisioning some fishy history (Innsmouth theme) family background (hence the cloak of the Obyrith) and I like the idea that the cold damage/type from Beckon the Frozen would stack with the pseudonatural of the alienist.

The UA variant you really want is the Rapid Summoning one: 1 standard action means your minions have another round to act and you are not busy casting the entire time.

I thought about it and I'd do it if I didn't have to give up the familiar. Normally I would do anything to get rid of the familiar, but I kind of like that the alienist levels stack with wizard for the familiar and grant the pseudonatural template. At least I'd know my familiar would hit with a touch attack with the pseudonatural's true strike ability.

 

[Jubilee]

Personally, I'd take the Rapid Summoning and then sacrifice a feat for 'acquire familiar' which I think is from Complete Arcane if you really want the familiar benefits for alienist. The rapid summoning is worth it!

/ali

 

[Ender_rpm]

Rapid summoning and the free Augment Summoning (and the way it scales as you level) kick mucho booty. I just finished a short campaign with a Kobold Conjuror/ Summoner, and he was all about laying waste The Summonning as a standard action vice full round is the (silly filter) bollocks, as you can really get your critters into where they are most needed. If you're calling critters all the time, you're not really gonna miss your familiar, IMO. Have fun!!

 

[sckeener]

Personally, I'd take the Rapid Summoning and then sacrifice a feat for 'acquire familiar' which I think is from Complete Arcane if you really want the familiar benefits for alienist. The rapid summoning is worth it!i

Good idea...I hadn't thought of Obtain Familiar for this. Last time I was looking at that feat was when I was thinking about an Archivist summoner...but the feat wouldn't have worked for a divine caster.

Thanks. It'll probably be 6th level before I can get it so I'll miss out on the low level fun of having a familiar.