Hi Everyone,
I'm attempting to build an Elvin First Worlder summoner for my next PFS characters. I'm new to both the elf and the summoner so I could use a bit of advice. Thanks!
I'd like to play a summoner who exemplifies the "artful dodger" literary archetype. During a job, the elf acts as the plant while the eidolon is the true master thief. I went with a with a small, dog-like (quadruped) eidolon w/ disguise so that the eidolon can be included in most social situations.
While the elf isn't the most optimized choice for a summoner, I picked it for RP reasons and the FCB will let me summon my eidolon at a moments notice when needed - a good tactic that I can exploit for a thief.
I went with First Worlder to add some needed utility to my summons - again, focusing on versatility over damage.
Character Background: One day, an Elvin street urchin witnessed his furry, best friend get run over by a rich-man's carriage. The next day, the dog returned, healthy as ever. They have been thick as thieves ever since. It's been over 100 years since that event. To summon his eidolon, the elf plays a short, melodic tune on a simple dog whistle.
TLDR: Elf "artful dodger" type - Summoner distracts while dog eidilon steals. Small quadroped eidolon for optimal scouting/thievery. Build (spoilers) below.
A tall, lean, dark haired, Elvin gentleman thief. His friends call him "Riches" because of his fancy dress. He usually appears to be jovial but aloof as his eyes wander, keeping a look out for his dog and companion thief.
CN Elf First Worlder Summoner
Racial Substitutions: Envoy, Urbanite
FCB - Summon/Dismiss Eidolon in 1 round
STR 10, DEX 16, CON 12, INT 16, WIS 10 CHA 14
Feat Progression: 1- Extra Evolution, 3- Extra Summons, 5- Extra Evolution, 7- Extra Summons, 9- Extra Evolutions, 11- Extra Summons
Traits: Fast-Talker, Reactionary
Skills: Bluff 1 (+7), Diplomacy 1 (+5), Handle Animal 1 (+6), Linguistics 1 (+7), Spellcraft (+7)
Spells:
0 - Acid Splash, Detect Magic, Open/Close, Message
1 - Reduce Person, Unfetter
Summon Nature's Ally: 5/day
This eidolon appears as northing more than a small dog with a well-groomed coat of shiny, black and brown fur. He follows his master everywhere, is well behaved, and is a favorite with local townspeople. None suspect, however, that this dog stole the crown jewels.
Small Quadruped (fey)
STR 10, DEX 16, CON 11, INT 7, WIS 10, CHA 11
AC 16, HP 3
Attack (bite) +5, 1d4+0
Feats: Combat Reflexes
Evolutions: Bite (0), Limbs x2 (0), Climb (1), Skilled- Disguise (1), Skilled- Stealth (1), Skilled- Perception (1)
Extra Skills: Disable Device, Disguise, Escape Artist, Slight of Hand
Skills: Disable Device 1 (+7), Disguise (+12), Perception 0 (+8), Stealth 1 (+19), Slight of Hand 1 (+7)
Here is a discussion about this character's functionality in a PFS group
Thanks for the advice!
bump...
Thanks Victor. This character would really shine in a home game. But, unfortunately, I only get to play PFS, so that's where all of the cooler ideas must go.
Fortunately, my experiences with my local PFS group are that they allow lots of RP and don't focus too much on the "complete the mission, get the loot" mentality.
Dot
Bump again?
By the way -- it will be several levels before that favored class bonus actually pays off. It doesn't give you the ability to summon your eidolon in one round -- it reduces the time required to summon your eidolon by one round each level it is taken until you can summon it in one round at 9th level.
If you are interested in summoning your eidolon quickly, that can be taken care of at 4th level with a 2nd level spell (Summon Eidolon) -- and you would not really be able to dispense with that spell until 5 levels later.
What about the summoner's feat progression?
It seems rather...dull? Any other suggestions to help the versatility of this character?
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What about the summoner's feat progression?
It seems rather...dull? Any other suggestions to help the versatility of this character?
You could probably drop every instance of Extra Summons and Extra Evolution. If you want to focus that heavily on summoning then look at making your individual summons better, or invest in some cool tricks for yourself or metamagic. The Eidolon may be half your character, but it's only half and it relies on you. (You can get a feat to keep it guarding your bleeding out injured corpse...)
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Instead of just taking Extra Evolution and Extra Summons so many times, I'd take Spell Focus Conjuration, Augment Summoning, Superior Summoning, and then look into what you would prefer from Moonlight/Sunlight Summoning. Also consider Toughness, Improved Initiative, and Great Fortitude.
The only problem with Spell Focus (Conjuration) is that, with the elf, it is a waste of a feat. I need to wait till 3rd level for my next feat to get any real benefit.
I could go human and take SF (Con) and Augment Summoning and still do the small skilled eidolon. Then take either moonlight or starlight summons at 3rd level. FCB = Extra Eidolon skill points. With a 14 INT, that would give me a combined 10 skill points each level - same as a rogue with a 14 INT.
STR 10, DEX 14, CON 14, INT 14, WIS 10, CHA 16
Feats: SpF (Conjuration), Augment Summons
SNA 6/day
But, which evolution should I drop for the eidolon? Climb?
A standard human "rogue" could be fun. The fey eidolon could have chosen to partner with the street urchin on a whim or to take part in some elaborate joke - the pickpocketing is an extension of the typical "trickster fey" M.O.
Or, if I am focusing on Summons, should I drop the First Worlder archetype?
Also, I play a Taldan bard in PFS - VERY Taldan (pompous with French accent and all). Which human subrace would give me a completely different RP experience with the summoner?
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The only problem with Spell Focus (Conjuration) is that, with the elf, it is a waste of a feat. I need to wait till 3rd level for my next feat to get any real benefit.
I could go human and take SF (Con) and Augment Summoning and still do the small skilled eidolon. Then take either moonlight or starlight summons at 3rd level. FCB = Extra Eidolon skill points. With a 14 INT, that would give me a combined 10 skill points each level - same as a rogue with a 14 INT.
** spoiler omitted **
But, which evolution should I drop for the eidolon? Climb?
A standard human "rogue" could be fun. The fey eidolon could have chosen to partner with the street urchin on a whim or to take part in some elaborate joke - the pickpocketing is an extension of the typical "trickster fey" M.O.
Or, if I am focusing on Summons, should I drop the First Worlder archetype?
Also, I play a Taldan bard in PFS - VERY Taldan (pompous with French accent and all). Which human subrace would give me a completely different RP experience with the summoner?
First, take some Create Pit spells and the Spell Focus Conjuration spell will never be worthless. The Pit Spells are some of the best CC spells in the game, and do have saves involved.
I'd drop Climb probably, since Climb checks are more often then not take-10able, and jokish in PFS, and you can re-summon the eidolon if you have time. You don't really need a climb speed at level 1. Also I'd drop Stealth[IIRC the feat grants 2 points] and take it later. At this level, the +8 will be wasted as soon as a heavy-armoured frontliner comes in going "Clankity Clank-Clank".
For a different RP experience, Shoanti is pretty Anti-Taldan, its a much more tribal focus than the Urbanized Taldan.