Playing a Pathfinder Summoner is like playing two characters: the Summoner, and the Eidolon they call into the world to help them.
Most people don’t want to adventure alone. And the Pathfinder Summoner never really will. They can magically call forth a powerful creature known as an Eidolon. This being will act as their friend, servant, traveling companion, or even as their personal deity.
The Pathfinder Summoner Basics
Like some other spell-based classes, the Summoner has a focus on Charisma and takes a boost to the attribute at character creation. They also begin their adventure with expert-level training in their Will and Fortitude saving throws. Additionally, Summoners start with training in Perception, Reflex, Simple Weapons, Unarmed Attacks, Unarmored Defense, spells as determined by their Eidolon, skills determined by their Eidolon, and a number of additional skills equal to their Intelligence modifier plus three.
In combat, Summoners will use a combination of spells and the assistance of the Eidolon. Together, the Summoner and Eidolon will fight as one, relying on and supporting each other’s attacks seamlessly. But Summoners will try to save their spells for when they are most needed, leaving the more mundane challenges to the Eidolon.
In non-combat situations, a Pathfinder Summoner has a personality and confidence that helps them take the lead in social situations and negotiations alike. Their Eidolon is almost always presence with them, so even if they are silent, their presence will have a powerful effect on social interactions.
The Summoner and Eidolon are often on alert for the presence of magic or danger. They will often work together to cover more ground, pool knowledge, or support each other’s skills and abilities.
Eidolon
The most notable unique aspect of the Pathfinder Summoner is their relationship with their Eidolon. This is a powerful and often otherworldly entity that the Summoner will use their own life force to manifest into the mortal world.
The Summoner’s connection with their Eidolon will take the form of a sigil on each of their bodies and will shine through any clothing, cloaks, and magic. But that sigil is just a physical representation of the strong connection that the Summoner and Eidolon share. The two will act in tandem, and even to the most magically unaware observer, it’s obvious that the two are connected in some way.
The Summoner’s connection with their Eidolon also gives them the ability to cast link spells. These are a kind of focus spell, and the focus point pool can be replenished by spending time with their Eidolon. Eidolons also have proficiencies equal to their Summoners, their own ability scores, their own unarmed attacks – they start with two, – and sometimes the ability to cast spells as an activity.
Kinds of Eidolons
Each Eidolon is a unique creature and character. As such, each draws their power and magic from a particular tradition. Depending on the tradition they draw from, the Eidolon will have access to different skills, senses, languages, and abilities.
Angel Eidolon: These Eidolons are celestial messengers and carry a special message to the mortal world with them. They often take on a mostly humanoid form, but with some more angelic features. Their tradition is Divine.
Anger Phantom Eidolon: Anger Phantom Eidolons are lost souls, bound to the mortal world by an ongoing anger or grudge. Sometimes they will take on mostly humanoid forms, but they are also known to look strange as well. Their tradition is Occult.
Beast Eidolon: These Eidolons are a manifestation of the life force of nature. They will take on an animal-like form. But it isn’t uncommon for them to look like an amalgam of many different creatures. Their tradition is Primal.
Construct Eidolon: The Construction Eidolon is a mental construct based on an astral thoughtform. The apperance they take on is limited only by the Summoner’s imagination and will vary greatly. Their tradition is Arcane.
Demon Eidolon: This Eidolon is a demon. They have a sin closely associated with them, and can also take on any number of physical appearances. Their tradition is Divine.
Devotion Phantom Eidolon: Devotion Phantom Eidolons are another kind of lost soul. These are bound to the mortal plane due to a strong sense of duty, undying devotion, or a need to complete an important task. Most take humanoid forms, though others will look strange. Their tradition is Occult.
Dragon Eidolon: Dragon Eidolons have a strong connection to magic and their minds often leave an echo in the Astral Plane. They take on the form of small dragon and wish to grow as powerful as ancient wyrms. Their tradition is Arcane.
Fey Eidolon: These Eidolons is a Fey. Many will have unusual features such as pointed ears or wings, but others will look entirely inhuman. Their tradition is Primal, but players who chose this Eidolon type should also consult the Fey Gift Spells.
Subscribe to our newsletter!
Get Tabletop, RPG & Pop Culture news delivered directly to your inbox.
Plant Eidolon: Plant Eidolons are similar to Leshys, and often look plant-like. Some so much so that they are impossible to identify. Their tradition is Primal.
Psychopomp Eidolon: Finally, Psychopomp Eidolons are sworn ushers of souls in order to maintain the courts of the dead. Their appearance will vary, but they almost always include an elaborate mask. Their tradition is Divine.
Multiclassing a Pathfinder Summoner
Any adventurer can forge a relationship with an Eidolon, share their life force and manifest the being into the physical world. And a constant friend and traveling companion can be helpful for almost every class. An Alchemist can gain an Eidolon lab assistant, while a Bard can raise their performances to new heights. Fighters can have another person to seamlessly execute tactics and techniques with. Meanwhile, a Ranger will cover much more ground in tracking.
Characters who multiclass as a Summoner will gain access to the feats Summoner Dedication, Basic and Advanced and Signature Synergy, Initial Eidolon Ability, Basic, Master, and Expert Summoner Spellcasting, and Expert Combat Eidolon.
How to Play a Pathfinder Summoner
With their Eidolons, Pathfinder Summoners are a little like playing two characters at once. Which can be helpful, especially in combat scenarios where they will have three actions and a reaction per round. But this also means that there is more for the player to remember and juggle.
While playing a Summoner, focus on what your Eidolon is doing as well as yourself. This may take the form of melee, feats to help boost or enhance the Eidolon’s effectiveness, or spells. Though, Pathfinder Summoners have a somewhat limited number spell. So try and save those as much as possible until you absolutely need them. Instead, try to rely more on feats and your Eidolon’s power, and cantrips.
Happy adventuring!
Don’t Miss:
Read more at this site