[PF] Synthesist Summoner as a Bear Shaman

[Yahya]

Hi guys,

I have a concept that I am not quite sure how to develop. It is for a game in Golarion, specifically in cold areas near the Crown of the World. My character is a human, who for some reason or another (that I don't know yet), developed a bond to a bear, who watches over the character.

My thinking is, that perhaps the synthesis summoning ability could sort of take the form of a spirit bear. The problem with this, is that it takes a long time summon the eidolon, and that does not match so much with my concept.

What do you guys think? Is this doable? Is this realistic? If so, what would be the best path through the eidolon selections?

Or maybe I should just settle and go with druid?

Thank you in advance! :smallsmile:

[Slipperychicken]

So you mean that the bear-spirit infuses the character's body with strength and physical prowess? In that case, I think Synthesist is appropriate. Not sure how to deal with the summoning time (I say work it out with your DM), but you can keep it out all day, so quickly summoning it doesn't seem like a huge balance issue.

To deal with unconsciousness, some way to acquire the effect of Keep Watch (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/k/keep-watch) would allow your Eidolon to be out 24/7. Maybe there's a way to get it on the Summoner spell list? Maybe you could convince your DM to allow that to work.

As far as base forms go, I suggest Quadraped, although Biped is a perfectly valid choice too. It depends on whether you prefer to imagine the bear on all fours, or standing upright on its hind legs. If you do go Quadraped, add Pounce to the list of evolutions below.

Obviously, for the evolutions: Claws (taken twice, for both front and hind limbs), Bite, Grab (select Claws), Rake, Ability Increase (Strength), Improved Natural Armor, Scent, Magic Attacks. Although this selection is mostly chosen for flavor, it is powerful.

Additionally, to help your Armor Class, the Mage Armor spell will stack with both the Eidolon's natural armor bonus and the Shielded Meld class feature.

[Keneth]

I see this more as a barbarian or druid concept. Oracle is also a standard shaman choice, usually with Barbarian and later Rage Prophet levels.

Summoner can be refluffed to fit the concept. If no one else is playing an arcane caster, then it's a decent choice.

[grarrrg]

The problem with this, is that it takes a long time summon the eidolon, and that does not match so much with my concept.

What do you guys think? Is this doable? Is this realistic?

Well, there is always the Summon Eidolon (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/s/summon-eidolon) spell, which, for a measly 1-round casting time gets you your Eidolon-suit for 1 minute/level. Downside is that it is a 2nd level spell, so it isn't accessible until char-level 4.

Then again, as a Druid, you'd STILL have to wait until at least char-level 4 to get Wild Shape anyway. And then you can only use it 1/day and only for up to 4 hours (+1 use every 2 levels).
Whereas, if you carefully manage your Eidolon, it's bonuses can last all day.


The other way to get "quick Eidolon", which is worse at lower levels, but much better at higher levels, is to be an Elf (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/core-races/elf), their Summoner Favored bonus is to reduce the Summoning Time by 1 round, so at level 9 you'd be able to do a "normal" summoning as a 1-round action.

[Keneth]

Then again, as a Druid, you'd STILL have to wait until at least char-level 4 to get Wild Shape anyway. And then you can only use it 1/day and only for 1 hour tops (to start with).

Wrong, the wild shape lasts for 4 hours at level 4 and by the time you get to level 6 you can use it twice per day for 6 hours which amounts to basically the entire day. There's also the Bear Shaman (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/druid/archetypes/paizo---druid-archetypes/bear-shaman) which, while not the best archetype, fits the bill perfectly.

[grarrrg]

Wrong, the wild shape lasts for 4 hours at level 4 and by the time you get to level 6 you can use it twice per day for 6 hours which amounts to basically the entire day. There's also the Bear Shaman (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/druid/archetypes/paizo---druid-archetypes/bear-shaman) which, while not the best archetype, fits the bill perfectly.

You are correct.
But either way, Druid or Summoner, you still don't get ANY "fast changing" until at LEAST level 4.

And while Bear Shaman is VERY nice from a flavor standpoint, it is even WORSE from a Low-Level standpoint, as they don't even get Wildshape until level 6!
Granted, when they do get it, it counts you as +2 levels for Bear-transforms, but still...