For the purpose of this post when I say 'summons' I am using it interchangeably with pets, actual summoned creatures, and hirelings.

While pondering over some build options for a new character two of the new feats for U29 were all about Summons. This made me curious if it was possible to make an effective 'Summoner'.

Now to start I want to admit that I suspect the answer is no, especially where epic elite and beyond comes into question. But the hell with it, seems like it could be interesting for awhile anyway. I figure a druid is the best option, as it has a customizable pet, summon spells, and summon buffing spells, combined with my owlbear, panther, and a hireling that makes for a small party of 6 including myself for solo operations. The question now is how best to utilize what is available to me to make the best possible summons.

Thus far I see the following as potentially useful.

FEATS

  • Augment Summoning
  • --Improved Augment Summoning (Only mentions summons, does it affect only summoned creatures?)
  • ----Scion of Elysium (Ditto?)
  • Druid Past Life x3


That seems about it for feats, slim pickings to boost summons effectiveness. Is it worth giving up an epic feat and a legendary feat? Probably not, I am somewhat cynical that even with these additions summons will hold up in the higher levels, but who knows, maybe I'll be surprised.

ENHANCEMENTS
  • Nature's Warrior - Blood Moon Frenzy (On a kill, +20/30/40 movement, +10/15/20 attack speed) [Total investment in tree: 8ap]
  • Harper Agent - Harper Leadership (+2/3/4 stats) [Total investment in tree: 8ap]


I considered Heroic Companion from the Harper Agent tree as well, but it just does't seem worth the extra points, but I could be wrong. Have the devs said what, if any, the plans are for the third tree? A tree with pet enhancements could go a long way with this build... Well, longer.

EPIC DESTINY
  • Primal Avatar
  • --Friends of Nature (Level 1, Fits the theme)
  • --Natural Shielding (Level 2)
  • --The Oncoming Storm (Level 3)
  • --Summon Dryad Elder (Level 4) (Does this replace another summon, so if I had a Dryad or Elder Fire Elemental, would they be replaced, or is it in addition to?)


SPELLS
  • Animal Growth (Level 5)
  • Fang: Magic, Align (Level 1/2)
  • Pack Aptitude (Level 5)
  • Pack Presence (Level 2)
  • Tenacious Pack (Level 6)
  • Mass, Ability Score (Level 6)


Obviously healing spells and the summon natures ally line goes without saying.

ITEMS
  • Necklace of Mystic Eidolons


Any other items that benefit summons, or would allow for other benefits from the above feats, enhancements, etc, etc?

TOTAL BUFFS

@ 30 (Numbers in parenthesis include spell buffs.)
  • Base Creature.
  • +16 Ability Scores. (+4 Enhancement, +6 Circumstance to One, +4 Size to Strength, +4 Size to Constitution, -2 Size to Dex) [PLs would make it an additional +6].
  • +70 Melee & Ranged Power.
  • +120 Spell Power.
  • +75 MRR.
  • +110 PRR.
  • +200 HP.
  • +10% Dodge.
  • +150% (180%) Fortification.
  • +On a kill, +40% movement & +20% attack speed for 12 seconds.
  • +5% chance to ignore incoming damage entirely. Does not affect any incoming Positive, Negative, or Repair effects.
  • +1% chance to knockdown enemies.
  • +1% chance to deal 20d20 sonic damage.
  • +1% chance to deal 20d20 lightning damage.
  • +Evasion.
  • (+60 Healing Amplification).
  • (+5 Enhancement weapon/Align weapon).