[PF] Personas, Eidolons, and Silica (Optimizing a Multiclass Summoner)

[Magatsu Izanagi]

The short version: How the heck do I go around making an effective multiclass summoner?

The long version: The basic character concept I've got, inspired in broad strokes by the Shin Megami Tensei: Persona series, is that of a fighter who can summon a Persona, a creature formed from his/her subconscious, as combat support, demonstrated by the following spoiler-tagged image of Chie Satonaka (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Chie_Satonaka) and Tomoe Gozen (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Tomoe_Gozen) in the Persona 4 manga:

http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20111018030532/megamitensei/images/thumb/4/4f/Persona_4_Tomoe_Gozen.jpg/331px-Persona_4_Tomoe_Gozen.jpg

This pretty much necessitates using a non-synthesist summoner (evolutionist?) as the chassis, though the concept also mandates a second (and possibly even third) class, which could be anything depending on the specific Persona user. For instance, the aforementioned Chie is primarily an unarmed fighter, which would mean either monk, a fighter archetype, or a combination thereof for her; the same would also apply to her comrade-in-arms from Persona 3 and Persona 4 Arena, Akihiko Sanada (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Akihiko_Sanada). Given that known Persona users also count among their number a two-weapon fighter (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Yosuke_Hanamura), a duelist (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Mitsuru_Kirijo), an idol singer (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Rise_Kujikawa), a robot girl with a giant axe (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Labrys), a grenadier (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Jin_Shirato), and no less (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Naoto_Shirogane) than three (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Takaya_Sakaki) gunslingers (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Tohru_Adachi), the sky's pretty much the limit from a roleplaying perspective. (What classes would the other members of SEES, Strega, and the investigation team have, anyway?)

Mechanically, however, that's where the rub lies for me. There's only so many evolution points that a summoner can invest in his/her eidolon, especially at lower levels. Would any attempt at multiclassing have to be limited to one or two-level dips, or can the prospective Persona user afford to expand the abilities of his/her other class(es) while maintaining a reasonably strong and unique eidolon? Which evolutions would be needed to replicate a specific Persona like the aforementioned Tomoe Gozen (or Jiraiya, Konohana Sakuya, Take-Mikazuchi, et cetera)?

For that matter, how would one go about modeling Elizabeth (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Elizabeth) and her siblings, preferably without having to resort to 3.X stuff like gestalts or epic levels?

Not related to Persona, but still related to the general topic of multiclass summoners: One of the many character concepts I have floating around in my head is a specific application of the Persona user idea, inspired in broad strokes by Silica (http://swordartonline.wikia.com/wiki/Silica) from Sword Art Online: A knife-wielding throat-ripping bitch who can call on her draconic eidolon friend to assist in the carnage. Judging from Silica's stated skillset, which includes stuff like Acrobatics and Musical Instrument, she probably took a dip in bard somewhere, which would probably be fine for a completely straightforward adaptation of her character, which in turn would be a topic best left for another thread.

In any case, I'm still using Silica as a very broad inspiration for my own character. For starters, rogue and ninja also have Acrobatics and Perform as class skills; if I wanted a real throat-ripper, which would be the more ideal choice? The dragon eidolon model presented in Ultimate Magic and the SRD could pose a problem, though, as it requires the full 26 evolution points of a 20th-level summoner to unlock all the needed evolutions; which ones can I do away with to reduce the evolution point quota so I can pile on the rogue or ninja levels?

[Renen]

Multiclass summoner? Why not gundolon?

Seriously tho, make a Gish summoner. But for the love of god don't multiclass. Unless you want to be very unoptimized

[Magatsu Izanagi]

Probably should have made it even more clear that the character concept I want is that of a non-synthesist, which means that a gundolon or something equally cheesy is straight out.

Considering the generous feat progression for all classes and the changes to the skill system from 3.X, though... Might as well just eat a few feats and dump some extra skill points here and there to fine-tune things if straight summoner from 1 to 20 is really the best choice in this situation.

[Slipperychicken]

I'm not familiar with the show, so could you post a list of skills/combat powers of each character and persona? I have no doubt we can accomplish the Eidolon's mechanics (they can easily be OP, after all), although the Summoner might be a viable melee combatant, if less than stellar.


Modeling anime characters in d20 tends to be a challenge, but I want to see what we can do here.

[Magatsu Izanagi]

I'm not familiar with the show, so could you post a list of skills/combat powers of each character and persona? I have no doubt we can accomplish the Eidolon's mechanics (they can easily be OP, after all), although the Summoner might be a viable melee combatant, if less than stellar.


Modeling anime characters in d20 tends to be a challenge, but I want to see what we can do here.
Hoo boy. This is gonna be a real doozy, considering that between Persona 3 and Persona 4, there's a ton of characters to stat out, along with their Personas. I'll try my best to summarize things, but you and any other folks who might want to get in on this might have to visit the wiki links I've provided and try to puzzle things out. Alignments are definitely up to debate. The end results won't be exactly like their anime/game sources, but close enough should hopefully be good enough.

Persona 3 Content
Protagonist/Minato Arisato/Makoto Yuki (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Protagonist_%28Persona_3%29), Female Protagonist/Minako Arisato (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Female_Protagonist_%28Persona_3_Portable%29) (starting Persona: Orpheus (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Orpheus); ultimate persona: Messiah (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Messiah_%28Persona%29))
- Alignment: Neutral good?
- Probably lucked out on their ability score rolls
- MC proficient with all weapon classes except firearms and knives in Persona 3, limited to one-handed swords in Persona 3 Portable; FeMC favors polearms
- Orpheus: Very limited skills (basic fire spell, attack debuff, physical attacks, basic healing in Persona 3 FES)
- Messiah: Multiple elemental resistances, immune to certain insta-kill spells, fast healing, strong AoE attacks and party heals

Yukari Takeba (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Yukari_Takeba) (starting Persona: Io (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Io_(Persona)); ultimate Persona: Isis (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Isis))
- Alignment: Neutral good?
- Favors bow and arrow in combat (arcane archer dip?)
- Io and Isis: Healing spells, air-based attacks (not sure what the D&D/PF analogue for the Wind element in Megami Tensei would be), appears capable of magical flight, has a very mean-looking pair of horns

Junpei Iori (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Junpei_Iori) (starting Persona: Hermes (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Hermes); ultimate Persona: Trismegistus (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Trismegistus))
- Alignment: Chaotic good?
- Intelligence and Wisdom are probably his dump stats
- Favors two-handed swords in combat
- Hermes and Trismegistus: Fire spells, fire resistance/immunity, strong physical attacks, fast healing (Trismegistus only), looks capable of flight (Trismegistus only)

Mitsuru Kirijo (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Mitsuru_Kirijo) (starting Persona: Penthesilea (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Penthesilea); ultimate Persona: Artemisia (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Artemisia))
- Alignment: Lawful good?
- Uses one-handed swords in Persona 3 and FES, specializes in rapiers in Persona 3 Portable (duelist dip?)
- Penthesilea: Healing and cold spells, enchantments (Google "marin karin") and debuffs, cold resistance, armed with a rapier and dagger
- Artemisia: Healing and cold spells, enchantments and debuffs, cold immunity, armed with a whip

Akihiko Sanada (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Akihiko_Sanada) (starting Persona: Polydeuces (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Polydeuces); ultimate Persona: Caesar (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Caesar))
- Alignment: Lawful good?
- Primarily an unarmed fighter (can also use spiked gauntlets, punching daggers, or similar weapons)
- Polydeuces: Electricity spells, debuffs and limited healing, electricity resistance, strong physical attacks
- Caesar: Electricity spells, debuffs and limited healing, electricity immunity, strong physical attacks, also carries a longsword

Fuuka Yamagishi (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Fuuka_Yamagishi) (starting Persona: Lucia (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Lucia); ultimate Persona: Juno (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Juno))
- Alignment: Neutral good?
- Probably has poor physical stats
- Prefers to stay away from the front line
- Lucia and Juno: Pure support (healing, divination, dimension door)

Aigis (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Aigis) (starting Persona: Palladion (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Palladion); ultimate Persona: Pallas Athena (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Pallas_Athena))
- Alignment: Neutral good?
- Android (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/humanoids/android)
- Integrated firearms (gunslinger dip?)
- Palladion and Pallas Athena: Buffs, strong physical attacks, damage reduction, armed with a spear

Koromaru (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Koromaru) (starting Persona: Cerberus (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Cerberus))
- Alignment: Neutral good?
- Possibly an awakened dog
- Has natural attacks, but insists on fighting with a knife in his teeth
- Cerberus: Multiheaded quadruped, fire spells and debuffs, fire immunity, immune to certain insta-kill spells

Ken Amada (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Ken_Amada) (starting Persona: Nemesis (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Nemesis); ultimate Persona: Kala-Nemi (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Kala-Nemi))
- Alignment: Lawful good?
- Needs the young (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/templates/simple-template-young-cr-1) template
- Favors spears in combat
- Nemesis and Kala-Nemi: Healing and insta-kill spells, strong physical attacks, immune to certain insta-kill spells

Shinjiro Aragaki (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Shinjiro_Aragaki) (starting Persona: Castor (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Castor))
- Alignment: Chaotic good?
- Favors axes in combat
- Castor: Fast healing, strong physical attacks, carries a spear, might need a quadruped base

Metis (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Metis) (starting Persona: Psyche (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Psyche))
- Alignment: Neutral good?
- Android (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/humanoids/android)
- Favors axes and hammers in combat
- Psyche: Mostly physical attacks, also has some cold spells, enchantments, and debuffs

Takaya Sakaki (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Takaya_Sakaki) (starting Persona: Hypnos (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Hypnos))
- Alignment: Chaotic evil?
- Packs a Smith & Wesson Model 500 (gunslinger dip?)
- Hypnos: Multiple elemental attacks, immune to death effects, undead appearance, looks capable of flight

Jin Shirato (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Jin_Shirato) (starting Persona: Moros (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Moros)
- Alignment: Chaotic evil?
- Loves grenade spam (grenadier alchemist dip?)
- Moros: Multiple forms of attack (physical, elemental, debuffs)

Chidori Yoshino (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Chidori_Yoshino) (starting Persona: Medea (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Medea))
- Alignment: Neutral evil/true neutral?
- Favors a chain-axe (kusarigama?) in combat
- Medea: Fire and insta-kill spells, enchantments and debuffs, fast healing, carries a dagger

Elizabeth (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Elizabeth) (wields multiple Personas, favors Thanatos (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Thanatos) in Persona 4 Arena)
- Alignment: True neutral?
- Favors spells and magic items in combat (maxed-out UMD for scrolls and wands?)
- Thanatos: Strong physical attacks and AoE spells, carries a longsword

Persona 4 and Persona 4 Arena Content
Protagonist/Souji Seta/Yu Narukami (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Yu_Narukami) (starting Persona: Izanagi (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Izanagi); ultimate Persona: Izanagi-no-Okami (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Izanagi-no-Okami))
- Alignment: Neutral good?
- Also lucked out on his ability score rolls
- Favors one-handed swords in combat
- Izanagi: Very limited skills (basic electricity spells, buffs, and debuffs, physical strikes), carries a halberd
- Izanagi-no-Okami: Multiple elemental spells and resistances, damage reduction, carries a halberd

Yosuke Hanamura (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Yosuke_Hanamura) (starting Persona: Jiraiya (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Jiraiya); ultimate Personas: Susano-o (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Susano-o), Takehaya Susano-o (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Takehaya_Susano-o))
- Alignment: Neutral good?
- Intelligence and Wisdom are probably his dump stats
- Two-weapon fighter, favors light weapons (dagger, short sword, light mace, et cetera) in combat
- Jiraiya: Healing spells, buffs and debuffs, strong physical attacks, dimension door
- Susano-o: Healing spells, buffs and debuffs, strong physical attacks, fire resistance, dimension door
- Takehaya Susano-o: Healing spells, buffs and debuffs, strong physical attacks, fire immunity, dimension door

Chie Satonaka (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Chie_Satonaka) (starting Persona: Tomoe Gozen (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Tomoe_Gozen); ultimate Personas: Suzuka Gongen (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Suzuka_Gongen), Haraedo-no-Okami (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Haraedo-no-Okami))
- Alignment: Lawful good?
- Unarmed fighter, master of the dreaded Galactic Punt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX-A2F6QKwQ) (Punishing Kick?)
- Tomoe Gozen: Mostly physical attacks, some buffs and cold spells, cold resistance, carries a two-bladed sword
- Suzuka Gongen and Haraedo-no-Okami: Mostly physical attacks, some buffs and cold spells, cold immunity, carries a two-bladed sword

Yukiko Amagi (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Yukiko_Amagi) (starting Persona: Konohana Sakuya (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Konohana_Sakuya); ultimate Personas: Amaterasu (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Amaterasu), Sumeo-Okami (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Sumeo-Okami))
- Alignment: Neutral good?
- Favors a fighting fan (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---final/weapons/eastern-weapons) in combat
- Konohana Sakuya: Fire and healing spells, fire resistance, wings
- Amaterasu: Fire and healing spells, fire immunity, electricity resistance, wings, carries a katana
- Sumeo-Okami: Fire and healing spells, fire and electricity immunity, wings, carries a katana

Kanji Tatsumi (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Kanji_Tatsumi) (starting Persona: Take-Mikazuchi (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Take-Mikazuchi); ultimate Personas: Rokuten Maoh (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Dairoku_Tenmaou), Takeji Zaiten (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Takeji_Zaiten))
- Alignment: Chaotic neutral/chaotic good?
- Favors shield bashing and improvised weapon usage
- Take-Mikazuchi: Large size, strong physical attacks, some electricity spells and a smattering of other spells (healing, buffs, debuffs), electricity resistance, fast healing, wields a longsword
- Rokuten Maoh: Large size, strong physical attacks, some electricity spells and a smattering of other spells (healing, buffs, debuffs), electricity immunity, fast healing, wields a longsword
- Takeji Zaiten: Large size, strong physical attacks, some electricity spells and a smattering of other spells (healing, buffs, debuffs), electricity immunity, damage reduction, fast healing, wields a longsword

Rise Kujikawa (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Rise_Kujikawa) (starting Persona: Himiko (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Himiko); ultimate Personas: Kanzeon (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Kanzeon), Kouzeon (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Kouzeon))
- Alignment: Neutral good?
- Idol singer and entertainer by trade (maxed Charisma, points in various Perform skills, possible bard dip)
- Prefers to stay away from the front lines, though not averse towards getting in on the action herself if necessary
- Himiko, Kanzeon, Kouzeon: Mostly support (healing spells and divinations) but can retaliate effectively if necessary (Kouzeon has six arms!)

Teddie (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Teddie) (starting Persona: Kintoki-Douji (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Kintoki-Douji); ultimate Personas: Kamui (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Kamui), Kamui-Moshiri (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Kamui-Moshiri)
- Alignment: True neutral/neutral good?
- Strength's probably his dump stat, despite his fondness for melee
- Wears a bear suit (possible armor?) and favors hand-mounted weapons (spiked gauntlets, punching daggers, et cetera) in combat
- Kintoki-Douji: Cold and healing spells, dimension door, cold resistance, magical flight
- Kamui: Cold and healing spells, dimension door, cold immunity, electricity resistance, resistance to certain insta-kill spells, claws (possible rend), magical flight
- Kamui-Moshiri: Cold and healing spells, dimension door, cold and electricity immunity, immunity to certain insta-kill spells, claws (possible rend), magical flight

Naoto Shirogane (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Naoto_Shirogane) (starting Persona: Sukona-Hikona (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Sukuna-Hikona); ultimate Personas: Yamato-Takeru (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Yamato-Takeru), Yamato Sumeragi (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Yamato_Sumeragi))
- Alignment: Lawful neutral/lawful good?
- Favors a revolver in combat (gunslinger dip?)
- Sukona-Hikona: Insta-kill spells, some elemental spells and buffs, powerful physical attacks, insta-kill resistance, carries a longsword
- Yamato-Takeru: Insta-kill spells, some elemental spells and buffs, powerful physical attacks, fire resistance, immune to death effects, carries a longsword
- Yamato Sumeragi: Insta-kill spells, some elemental spells and buffs, powerful physical attacks, fire immunity, immune to death effects, carries a longsword

Tohru Adachi (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Tohru_Adachi) (starting Persona: Magatsu-Izanagi (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Magatsu-Izanagi))
- Alignment: Neutral evil?
- Maxed-out Bluff
- Favors a revolver in combat (gunslinger dip?)
- Magatsu-Izanagi: Frightful presence, undead appearance, multiple elemental spells, powerful physical attacks, immune to death effects, carries a halberd

Labrys (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Labrys) (starting Persona: Ariadne (http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Ariadne))
- Alignment: Lawful good?
- Android (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/humanoids/android)
- Wields a greataxe exclusively
Immediate problems I can recognize with a direct translation from Persona to Pathfinder:
- No real analogue for the Wind element, thus no Garu family of spells
- Eidolons don't have access to phantasmal killer, finger of death, or other save-or-die spells AFAIK, which means no Light or Dark spells (Hama, Mudo, et cetera)
- Spell resistance might be the closest thing we can get to Light/Dark resistance or blocking
- Personas can use spells as long as their caster has sufficient HP/SP reserves, while an eidolon's SPAs are 1/day (3/day if you spend 2 additional evolution points on a specific basic/minor/major magic evolution once you have it)

[Mjollnir075]

If I were to build it, I would go

Gunslinger 1 (Mysterious Stranger)/Summoner 19 (Evolutionist)

Mysterious Stranger gets Grit based off Charisma, and a deed that lets you get Cha to damage

Evolutionist would be partly for fluff. Main character in P3 (haven't played 4. Yet.) could change his persona (if I remember correctly), so just fluff it to say you are getting a new persona when you change your Eidolon.

When summoning your Eidolon, just fluff a empty shot to the head with your pistol as part of the ritual.

[Magatsu Izanagi]

If I were to build it, I would go

Gunslinger 1 (Mysterious Stranger)/Summoner 19 (Evolutionist)

Mysterious Stranger gets Grit based off Charisma, and a deed that lets you get Cha to damage

Evolutionist would be partly for fluff. Main character in P3 (haven't played 4. Yet.) could change his persona (if I remember correctly), so just fluff it to say you are getting a new persona when you change your Eidolon.

When summoning your Eidolon, just fluff a empty shot to the head with your pistol as part of the ritual.
Anybody with the Wild Card ability (the main protagonists, Aigis in FES) can indeed change their Persona, as long as they pay their dues when they resummon registered Personas from the Compendium. Fits well with the evolutionist having to pay 200 gp/summoner level when they mutate their eidolon. There's also transmogrify at level 12 to emulate switching out Personas while in combat, though it's 1/day, and it may be a tad inconvenient to actually cast it in the middle of a fight.

[ScrambledBrains]

First off, thank you for posting this, since I was considering posting something myself related to re-creating Persona characters in either Pathfinder or 3.5. :smallsmile:

That said, from what I know of both Persona 3 and 4's characters(Having played and beaten both games in a Max S-Link, True Ending run), and of the Summoner class, you'll find that using the Summoner as a chassis won't do you much good because of how the Summoner class is designed to punish any multi-classing, coupled with the fact that most of SEES and the Investigation Team are reasonably skilled combatants in their own right, while the Summoner class isn't. Your best bet is either Gestalt(Which you've already mentioned not wanting to do.) or homebrew.

[grarrrg]

Mechanically, however, that's where the rub lies for me. There's only so many evolution points that a summoner can invest in his/her eidolon, especially at lower levels. Would any attempt at multiclassing have to be limited to one or two-level dips, or can the prospective Persona user afford to expand the abilities of his/her other class(es) while maintaining a reasonably strong and unique eidolon?

Hmmm....limited Multiclassing? It's almost as though a Class Dipping Guide (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=230500) of some sort would come in handy...if only there were such a thing...

The following suggestions are NOT intended to be used on the same character. I am also not familiar with what you are trying to emulate, so you're on your own for what would work for whom.

Monk for 3 levels, any archetype that keeps Still Mind, take Monastic Legacy (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/monastic-legacy-combat). Half of your Non-Monk levels count towards Unarmed damage progression, throw on a Monk's Robe for funsies.
You now count as level 8 for AC bonus (3 monk +5 Robe) giving a +2 bonus, up to level 16 for Unarmed Damage, 2d8 (3 monk + 17/2 non-monk +5) and get WIS-to-AC.


As a Summoner, CHA is one of your high stats, might as well use it.
1 level of Oracle with Nature or Lore Mystery (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/base-classes/oracle/mysteries/paizo---oracle-mysteries/lore), take the Revelation that replaces DEX with CHA for AC (I prefer Lore, as it replaces it for Reflex Saves, instead of CMD). Throw on the Noble Scion (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/noble-scion) Feat (Scion of War option) for CHA to Initiative instead of DEX. Hooray! Now you don't need DEX and can pump up STR/CON that much more.


On the same "CHA = GOOD" note, there's always the classic 2 levels in Paladin for CHA to all Saves, and a 1/day Smite Evil, while the Damage bonus from Smite will be low, the To-Hit bonus should be decent.
If you don't mind hanging around the class until level 4, take the Oath of Vengeance (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/paladin/archetypes/paizo---paladin-archetypes/oathbound-paladin/oath-of-vengeance) archetype, it lets you convert 2 Lay on Hands uses into another use of Smite Evil, and since your Lay on Hands is partially based on your CHA score, this can easily double or triple your Smites/day.


The Eldritch Heritage (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/eldritch-heritage) line of feats can get you some decent bonuses without having to go outside the class (it does eat up some feats though). The three most helpful Bloodlines would be Abyssal, Draconic, and Orc. (note: even though I list them as "Draconic 9" you aren't allowed to take the matching Feat until 2 levels later).
Abyssal (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/sorcerer/bloodlines/bloodlines-from-paizo/abyssal-bloodline) 1 is Claws, 3 is Electricity Resist 5 and +2 Save vs. Poison, Abyssal 9 is a scaling bonus to STR, Abyssal 15 would boost your Summon Monster ability from Summoner.
Draconic (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/sorcerer/bloodlines/bloodlines-from-paizo/draconic-bloodline) 1 is Claws, 3 is Energy Resist 5 (your choice) and a +1 Natural Armor bonus, 9 is a Breath Weapon, and 15 is Permanent Wings w/Fly Speed 60ft.
Orc (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/sorcerer/bloodlines/bloodlines-from-paizo/orc-bloodline) 1 is...crappy, if it weren't a Standard Action it'd be better, Orc 3 is +4 Save vs. Fear and +1 Natural Armor, Orc 9 is a scaling bonus to STR, Orc 15 is Super-Enlarge Person.
Might as well throw Sylvan (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/sorcerer/archetypes/paizo---sorcerer-archetypes/wildblooded/sylvan) in there as well, you get an Animal Companion of your level-3.

On a related note to the above, Summoners qualify for the Dragon Disciple PrC on their own, it grants the Draconic Bloodline bonuses (at appropriate levels) and gives decent Natural Armor and STR bonuses and such. Probably stop at level 4 tops though, which would still get you +4 STR, +3 Natural Armor (+2 from DD that stack with the Bloodline +1), and a couple minor or 1/day bonuses.


Summoner's have a good number of Buff spells on their list, the Improved Share Spells (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/improved-share-spells) feat can make good use of this, letting one spell benefit both of you, albeit at half duration.


Half-Elf and Goblin have favored class bonuses of +1/4 Evolution point (Goblin must spend on "fire" abilities). It isn't much but it can get you a little bit more.
Also, Half-Elves can take the Wild Caller archetype for another +1/4 Evo/level (but you lose access to certain evolutions).


NOTE: The following are ideas are NOT supported by the rules, but if you ask really really nicely, your DM may allow them.

Allow Boon Companion (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/boon-companion) to work for Eidolons.

Allow PrC's with "+Arcane Casting" to 'trade' the Spell Casting levels for Eidolon advancement. This would actually allow PrC's to be USEFUL to a Summoner, especially ones like Eldritch Knight and Dragon Disciple.

[Magatsu Izanagi]

First off, thank you for posting this, since I was considering posting something myself related to re-creating Persona characters in either Pathfinder or 3.5. :smallsmile:

That said, from what I know of both Persona 3 and 4's characters(Having played and beaten both games in a Max S-Link, True Ending run), and of the Summoner class, you'll find that using the Summoner as a chassis won't do you much good because of how the Summoner class is designed to punish any multi-classing, coupled with the fact that most of SEES and the Investigation Team are reasonably skilled combatants in their own right, while the Summoner class isn't. Your best bet is either Gestalt(Which you've already mentioned not wanting to do.) or homebrew.
While I did say that I'd prefer not to gestalt, I've definitely reconsidered now that I've had a bit more time to think about it. While grarrrg's class dipping guide (seriously, how the heck did I miss that; that'll teach me to not fumble around the forums while sleep-deprived) is certainly helpful, and there's tons of neat stuff I can use there along with the advice he's already given here, I'm now realizing that summoners really don't mesh well with multi-classing. Gestalting may very well be the only way I can pull off these particular character concepts while remaining (relatively) faithful to the source material, and with more room to experiment with regards to levels, I can afford to be really crazy with class combos, assuming straight summoner on one side of the gestalt to best preserve the eidolon and its abilities.

To start off the gestalt madness, Chie as a hungry ghost monk, complete with Punishing Kick and the ability to knock her enemies back 20' at level 20; not quite Galactic Punt, but it should work for the purposes of this exercise. (Too bad Chie's not Large, or she could get Awesome Blow. I'd consider giving her Jotunbrud, but a strict reading of that feat means that she'd still be ineligible for Awesome Blow.) Maybe throw in Greater Trip and Vicious Stomp to give her two free AoOs against any opponent she knocks down, as well as Tripping Strike to give her a free trip attempt whenever she crits and Ki Throw to allow her to control where her opponents land when she trips them. Akihiko could be either a martial artist or brawler, possibly with a greater emphasis on charging, bull rushes, and overrunning as opposed to tripping. Both of them can benefit equally from the other feats in the Power Attack and Combat Expertise lines, as well as the various unarmed combat feats out there (Crushing Blow, Elemental Fist, and Jawbreaker, to name three) as long as there's room remaining in the progression for those feats.

For Rise, I'm thinking either the celebrity or diva bard archetypes, purely for fluff purposes. Dunno how well those particular archetypes would actually work out in combat, but then again, she's mostly a support character. Maybe a trapper ranger dip for tracking, trapfinding, and to give her a little extra bite in combat (she can now join in on All-Out Attacks in Persona 4 Golden, IIRC), though what combat style could she use?

For Mitsuru, Noble Scion (scion of war) would be great from a fluff perspective as one of her 1st-level feats, and given her affinity with the rapier, she could make a good duelist. Appropriate fighter archetypes could be tactician or lore warden. She could also be able to afford a dip into student of war, which could also be a thematically appropriate choice for the other "mission control" characters (Fuuka, Rise, Teddie).

Naoto, Aigis, Takaya, and Adachi are clearly gunslingers (all mysterious strangers except for Aigis), though they all go in very different directions. Naoto can have a few levels of shield marshal/grand marshal and sleepless detective to reflect her law enforcement background, then maybe diversify into an oath of vengeance paladin after level 16. Takaya, on the other hand? Oracle 5 with wasting curse and lore mystery (sidestep secret a must, maybe brain drain for kicks and giggles), then one or two levels of Gray Gardener/Gray Warden even if the fluff requirement for that class states that the prospective Gardener/Warden must publicly execute a tried and sentenced individual. Adachi can also have a few shield marshal and sleepless detective levels, but he'll take antipaladin instead of paladin (maybe loosen the alignment requirements from CE only to any evil, as Adachi's probably more NE than anything else; on that note, giving him maxed-out Bluff and an amulet of proof against detection and location or some other item that grants nondetection can easily explain how he was able to evade the suspicions of Dojima and the Investigation Team). Bit stumped on Aigis, though she could have a few levels of ranger (evil outsiders as a favored enemy, archery or crossbow combat styles) to reflect her intended purpose as an anti-Shadow weapon.

[ScrambledBrains]

@Magatsu Izanagi: Ok then, I wish you luck in properly portraying everyone how you want to. I also wish I could be of more help, but unfortunately, I have limited experience in Pathfinder, and I also feel that some Homebrew might be a better idea for the characters, given their very wide ranges of personal abilities(And that's not even covering either Protagonist). Then again, YMMV. :smallbiggrin:

[Arbane]

I would've just said: "Chie's a Summon who happens to use Improved Unarmed Strike", because if ALL the PCs work like that, none of them will be too overpowered comparatively.

Teddie and Elizabeth are obviously Outsiders... but what sorts?

Edit to add: come to think of it, Persona-users probably shouldn't be modeled as Summoners - they're more like Binders.

[Magatsu Izanagi]

I would've just said: "Chie's a Summon who happens to use Improved Unarmed Strike", because if ALL the PCs work like that, none of them will be too overpowered comparatively.

Teddie and Elizabeth are obviously Outsiders... but what sorts?

Edit to add: come to think of it, Persona-users probably shouldn't be modeled as Summoners - they're more like Binders.
My gut's telling me either aasimar or fetchling for Elizabeth (and Margaret and Theodore, for that matter) and Teddie. Tiefling, ifrit, oread, sylph, and undine are right out for cosmetic and mechanical reasons.

As for the whole binder thing, I don't have a copy of Tome of Magic on hand, so I wouldn't know personally. I'll have to take your word on that class being a potential alternate route.