Help me make a low level GOD

[PhaedrusXY]

I wonder if the 'Defend' trick is intended for the animal to attack your attacker, or for it to start using Aid Another (Defense) on you though.

I think the latter might be a bit too "out of the box" for most people (especially typical WotC game designers...). I'd assume it is the former. I think this is actually defined somewhere, isn't it?

[Akalsaris]

Toad + Toughness = 6 more hp, conjuration school for 50% longer summons would be awesome.

That's all I know at low level, if you were human could add in Dodge for a free + 1 ac, leads into wind stance and lightning stance.

Pfft! Shape Soulmeld: Rage Claws=13 HP. More if Azurin or if you have Essentia.

Elan>>Toughness+Toad.

Sinfire, this is for PF + Spell Compendium game   Toad + Toughness are pretty much his only options here for extra HPs.  Oh, and Favored Class (Conjurer) for a free Improved Toughness effect, which I didn't even learn about until yesterday.

I wonder if the 'Defend' trick is intended for the animal to attack your attacker, or for it to start using Aid Another (Defense) on you though.

I think the latter might be a bit too "out of the box" for most people (especially typical WotC game designers...). I'd assume it is the former. I think this is actually defined somewhere, isn't it?

It was probably brought up in one of the Dragon magazines.  I'll try using the Defend trick next game and see how it goes - I have to tread a bit carefully, as some of the DMs have already been getting a bit edgy about the celestial riding dogs already.

[Sinfire Titan]

Sinfire, this is for PF + Spell Compendium game   Toad + Toughness are pretty much his only options here for extra HPs.  Oh, and Favored Class (Conjurer) for a free Improved Toughness effect, which I didn't even learn about until yesterday.

Oh, that's lame.

How did they change Pyrotechnics? If it's identical to the SRD version, use the Smoke Cloud effect instead of Glitterdust unless the enemy is invisible. Same effect, no save/SR, and can deny them actions if they fail a DC 15+1/round Fort save.

[Akalsaris]

Nah, the spell is unchanged, as are smoke effects. 

Still, unlike glitterdust the spell has some significant drawbacks:
1.  120" blindness is going to hit me and all my allies and summoned monsters, and the blinding version destroys the fire and doesn't create a smoke cloud.  It also includes a Will save negates for the blindness.
2.  The smoke cloud version also completely negates all vision within and out of the cloud, which means that we won't be able to hit opponents inside it.  Though that can be handy too!
3.  It's a little tricky to position the spell correctly because of the need for a fire source.  That's not such a huge problem for a conjurer in PF though, since Summon Elemental (Small Fire) is available at SM II =P  It will deal CL dmg to my creature , which is peanuts at 3rd level.  You could also use a fire elemental familiar, a Flaming Sphere or an PC with a torch, I guess (sucks to be the PC though!). 
4.  The 20" cloud is pretty damned big compared to glitterdust - a lot of times this will catch party members as well.
5.  The DC will be 1-2 pts lower for a conjurer

All of those are situational though - I think the best idea is simply to prepare both glitterdust and pyrotechnics.

[Sinfire Titan]

The Smoke Cloud version offers no save at all, and blinds them for X+1d4+1 rounds, where X is the number of rounds they spend inside the smoke cloud itself. If they even walk into it, and exit in the same action, they are blinded for 1d4+1 rounds, no save.


Magical fire isn't consumed, so a rock with Eternal Flame cast on it works. You don't need to target the flame itself to cast the spell, you just need to cast it and have the flame source on hand. Alchemist's Fire also works, especially if its you who's on fire. As for targeting those inside the smoke, Gust of Wind or just drop AoEs like Stinking Cloud, or use the Blindsight spell from the SC to allow the party tank to wade in unhindered.

[PhaedrusXY]

Magical fire isn't consumed, so a rock crossbow bolt with Eternal Continual Flame cast on it works.

I was thinking about this last night after seeing your original post. An archer firing an arrow with Continual Flame paired with a spellcaster armed with this spell could really mess up an approaching enemy party. The spell is long range, and has a freakin' HUGE area of effect, and so is actually better than Glitterdust in many ways. It would take a partner to work with you to pull it off, but the benefits are worth the extra action cost in many situations.

[Akalsaris]

Continual Flame is another good idea   Since Lantern Archons can cast it at will, it's also easy and cheap to stock up on them once you get to SM III (or SM IV in 3.5). 

I understand how you got your reading of the blinding effects, but I don't think that's the intended one:

A writhing stream of smoke billows out from the source, forming a choking cloud. The cloud spreads 20 feet in all directions and lasts for 1 round per caster level. All sight, even darkvision, is ineffective in or through the cloud. All within the cloud take -4 penalties to Strength and Dexterity (Fortitude negates). These effects last for 1d4+1 rounds after the cloud dissipates or after the creature leaves the area of the cloud. Spell resistance does not apply.

I think the effects that linger are only the ones that I highlighted, as the loss of sight is simply a function of the cloud's presence obscuring vision - if the creatures were specifically blinded, then the spell would call that out in the description as "All within the cloud take -4 penalties to Strength and Dexterity and are blinded." 

Oddly enough, I think by RAW a fire elemental has to make a save or choke from the smoke as well. 

[PhaedrusXY]

I think Akal-saris has the right reading.

But the freakin' 120 foot radius blinding flash version is itself awesome as hell, even with the save. You just need a buddy to fire the arrow of Continual Flame into the ground 121 feet away from you.

[Treantmonklvl20]

Working on a mini-guide at the moment.

Treantmonk, can I have your permission to re-use the formatting from Mastering the Malconvoker while critiquing the new Summon Monster lists? 

Sorry for delay - I was moving all weekend.

By all means, feel free.  PM me when you've posted so I can take a look-see.  I'm a summoning junkie