Summoner Optimisation

[TheMinxTail]

So to pad out the numbers in my player's group, I added in a conjurer to the mix (pathfinder rules). Since its a conjuration, specifically summoning specialist, the group has access to a variety of little arcane knick knacks and backup for when they really need it, However, in the last few battles, 'Green' the Summoner (its a soulless DMPC, she doesn't need a good name, just something to pad out the obituery) has been fairly insignificant, unable to shift her own weight and even being a detrement to the PCs. I suppose it is't fair to get an ambush on a wizard, but there you go, the idiot PCs presented a perfect opening with stupid in-fighting (one of them tried to push the paralysingly hydrophobic samurai PC into the nearest river, so punishment was in order.)

Well, the party just hit level four and I have a couple of games downtime to rework the stats. My default feat selection is the Augment Summoning mini-tree and Sudden Extend (3/day). I was wondering also what a good spell selection would be - currently the group is acting as a strike team headed for the HQ of an army of orcs. Any suggestions would be great, and I'm really looking for some good feats. I could easily houserule some, but I want to keep a good game balance.

[Anasazi]

I know this isnt in the direction of suggestion that you where hoping for, but I'd suggest all together removing the DMPC.
DMPC's are good when:
*you have one or two players, both new to the game, and are preparing to join your main group.
*you're a new gm, or creating a new campaign, and you're testing your skills out with another player in real time.

DMPC's are not good, contrary to popular belief, when you dont have enough players to enter a campaign. if the campaign min is 4, and you have 3, dont create a DMPC, weaken up all encounters. Its a bit of work yes, but in the long run the players will be happier, and you wont be needing to think about the game from both sides.

On a side note, remember, Path's goal was to expand upon 3.5 even further, a 3.75 if you will, thus, all feats from 3.5 are technically compatible.

[Thrice Dead Cat]

Everything you need to know. (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=289.0)

[TheMinxTail]

I know this isnt in the direction of suggestion that you where hoping for, but I'd suggest all together removing the DMPC.
DMPC's are good when:
*you have one or two players, both new to the game, and are preparing to join your main group.
*you're a new gm, or creating a new campaign, and you're testing your skills out with another player in real time.

DMPC's are not good, contrary to popular belief, when you dont have enough players to enter a campaign. if the campaign min is 4, and you have 3, dont create a DMPC, weaken up all encounters. Its a bit of work yes, but in the long run the players will be happier, and you wont be needing to think about the game from both sides.

On a side note, remember, Path's goal was to expand upon 3.5 even further, a 3.75 if you will, thus, all feats from 3.5 are technically compatible.

Suffice it to say, I meet those criteria exactly - I am a new DM with an even less experienced party, and I KNOW that they can't handle juggling the magic system just yet. Also, I know that stuff is compatible with Pathfinder - where else would I get Sudden Extend. As for encounters, well, I probably should use a published adventure, but for now I'm winging it pretty well. I haven't got fully to grips with the CR system yet (the party easily laid waste to the cyrohydra that I wasn't sure they would survive), but I'm getting there. Trust me, when I can DM worth a crap and my players know what they're doing mechanically, I'll scrap the DMs and just give them a free second character or something. Plus, the DMPC helps me give the campaign a sense of direction.

[TheMinxTail]

Everything you need to know. (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=289.0)

Cool, thanks. I think I read that guy's PF Bard guide. Haven't used it yet though, sadly...