Planar Binding VS Summon Monster

[Vistra]

I'm wondering what the big difference is between these two spells? I'm considering playing a Wizard / Malconvoker, but before I go forward I should probably have a good understanding of Planar Binding.

[bekeleven]

Summon Monster line, then Planar Binding line.


Duration: Rounds/Level, or variable, up to days/level
Target: 1, 1D3, or 1D4+1 variable-powered monsters from a list; monsters of your choice limited by hit dice
Cast Time: 1 Round, 10 Minutes
Other notes: Binding can call a specific creature if desired; binded creatures will be more cautious since they can be killed; binding is often used with other spells, as noted in its description.


Summon Monster 9 calls outsiders of around CR 11 at its most powerful. Greater Planar Ally, an 8th level spell, can call 18 HD creatures that are often higher CR. Because of the lack of limitations associated with planar binding, as well as the longer duration, it's generally agreed to be higher-powered, allowing a wizard to "hire" the best bodyguards in the cosmos. Note that Gate is often considered a spell in the same vein as planar binding; the spell description even references the latter.

To put it simply, if you want to build a summoner, you can do a lot worse than malconvoker. If you want to build a planar pimp, you can do a lot worse than thaumaturgist (note that you need shenanigans to get into that as a wizard). I can dig up some specific summoner builds if you want.

[Vistra]

Summon Monster line, then Planar Binding line.


Duration: Rounds/Level, or variable, up to days/level
Target: 1, 1D3, or 1D4+1 variable-powered monsters from a list; monsters of your choice limited by hit dice
Cast Time: 1 Round, 10 Minutes
Other notes: Binding can call a specific creature if desired; binded creatures will be more cautious since they can be killed; binding is often used with other spells, as noted in its description.


Summon Monster 9 calls outsiders of around CR 11 at its most powerful. Greater Planar Ally, an 8th level spell, can call 18 HD creatures that are often higher CR. Because of the lack of limitations associated with planar binding, as well as the longer duration, it's generally agreed to be higher-powered, allowing a wizard to "hire" the best bodyguards in the cosmos. Note that Gate is often considered a spell in the same vein as planar binding; the spell description even references the latter.

To put it simply, if you want to build a summoner, you can do a lot worse than malconvoker. If you want to build a planar pimp, you can do a lot worse than thaumaturgist (note that you need shenanigans to get into that as a wizard). I can dig up some specific summoner builds if you want.

Sure that would be great.

My idea for this character is a Hobgoblin (homebrewed to +0 LA), who uses fire magic and summons demons to do his bidding (Pit Fiends, Balors, etc.)

So I want to focus on Fire spells myself and I was thinking of taking Fire Domain Wizard with Reserve Feat Fiery Burst, which will give me +2 Caster levels on fire spells.

Aside from fire spells I wanted my secondary focus to be on summonings. But after looking at the summon monster list, I was less then impressed at the options (mostly fiendish varieties of animals). Perhaps Planar binding has a better selection of demons and devils?

[Craft (Cheese)]

Well, the best place to start is to read the two (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/planarBindingLesser.htm) spells (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/summonMonsterI.htm) in full.

The main difference is that Summon Monster summons creatures, and Planar Binding calls them. A summoned creature is essentially just a copy of a real creature, and fades from existence when the duration is over: A summoned monster that's killed doesn't actually suffer any harm, and is automatically under the caster's control. A called creature, however, is actually transported from its home plane: It can be harmed permanently, and isn't automatically under the control of the caster (you have to make a bargain with the creature to get it to serve you). The basic differences are:

- Planar Binding takes considerable time and money, while Summon Monster is fast and costs nothing but a spell slot. Planar Binding also has the risk of the creature escaping and deciding to get revenge on you: Summon Monster has no such risks.

- Summon Monster has a duration of only a few rounds, but a creature bound with Planar Binding can potentially stick around as long as you like, so long as you give it a concrete goal. (Open-ended tasks have a 1 day/level time limit.)

- Summon Monster is limited to a short list of creatures you can summon, while Planar Binding is open ended and lets you call in anything you want so long as it's under the HD limit.

- Planar Binding generally gives you stronger creatures much faster: For example, you need a 9th level spell to summon a Hezrou, but calling one can be done with just a 6th level spell.

[bekeleven]

A few notes: There are items that make a summon spell act like the next highest summon spell. There's also an item that increases HP of summons by +1/HD, which requires you to worship Ehlonna. Besides those, your basic caster gear (metamagic rods et al) are ideal, with the exception that you don't really need the DC boost from stat increases.

As a malconvoker, you'll want a custom +30 skill item to bluff. It basically negates any potential downside to the class.

Note that when making these builds I was really into metamagic school focus. Like, really into it. I'm not sure why. Flavor to taste, possibly by replacing it with residual magic.

Sorcerer build
TN Human - Worshipper of Ehlonna
1: Sorc 1
Metamatagic Specialist
Spell Focus (Conj)
Infernal Sorcerer Heritage
2: Sorc 2
3: Sorc 3
Augment Summoning
4: Sorc 4
Dragonblood Sorc Substitution (SLA)
5: Sorc 5
Domain Access (Summoner)
6: Mindbender 1
Augment Summoning
7: Malconvoker 1
8: Malconvoker 2
9: Malconvoker 3
10: Malconvoker 4
11: Malconvoker 5
12: Paragnostic Apostle 1
Call of Worlds
Quicken SLA
13: Paragnostic Apostle 2
Divine Understanding (Summoner)
14: Malconvoker 6
15: Malconvoker 7
Rapid Spell
16: Malconvoker 8
17: Malconvoker 9
18: Paragnostic Apostle 3
Mind over Body
Rapid Metamagic
19: Paragnostic Apostle 4
Mortal Coil
Metamagic School Focus
20: Anything with a caster level
At level 20:
CL=24 (for demons), 22 (Other SM), +2/Dispels
Can cast 8th level SNA as a quickened SLA 3/Day (Costs 8/9 Slot)
- SM9 As Standard Action 3/Day
- AND Extended (Evil)
- AND Furied (Evil= +2 Damage/Weapons, +2 HP/HD, +2/Will)
- AND Twin (Evil=Extra summon)
- AND Fast Healing 5
- AND Augmented
- AND Telepathic Communication (Mindbender)

Straightforward Master Specialist build
1: Conjurer 1
Rapid Summoning
Enhanced Summoning
Focused Specialist (Enchant, Necro, Evoc)
Spell Focus (Conj)
Nexus Method
2: Conjurer 2
3: Conjurer 3
Imbued Summoning
4: Master Specialist 1
5: Master Specialist 2
6: Master Specialist 3
Metamagic School Focus
7: Master Specialist 4
8: Master Specialist 5
9: Master Specialist 6
Extend Spell
10: Master Specialist 7
11: Master Specialist 8
12: Master Specialist 9
13: Master Specialist 10
Beckon the Frozen
14: Malconvoker 1
15: Malconvoker 2
16: Malconvoker 3
Residual Magic
17: Malconvoker 4
18: Malconvoker 5
Rapid Spell
19: Paragnostic Apostle 1
Call of Worlds
20: Paragnostic Apostle 2
Divine Understanding (Summoner)
NET RESULT:
Ability to cast any Summon Monster spell
- Spontaneously (Nexus Method)
OR Imbued/Extend/Rapid for free (3/Day, Imbue+MM School Focus)
OR Imbued/Extend/Rapid for free (After another casting, Residual Magic)
- AND as a swift action (3/Day, Rapid Summoning+MS 10)
- AND Frozen (+1D6 Cold Damage/NA, Subtype, optional)
- AND Extended (Evil)
- AND Furied (Evil= +2 Damage/Weapons, +2 HP/HD, +2/Will)
- AND Twin (Evil=Extra Summon)
- AND Fast Healing 5
- AND Augmented
- AND +HP=CL
CL: 22 (Summons), +7/Dispels

Metamagic Abuse Build (tier1 by virtue of classes, but lazy otherwise)
1: Conjurer 1
Ban Enchant, Necro
Rapid Summoning
Enhanced Summoning
Spell Focus (Conj)
Metamagic School Focus (Conj)
2: Conjurer 2
3: Conjurer 3
Iron Will
4: Master Specialist 1
5: Master Specialist 2
6: Incantatrix 1
Ban Evocation
Extend Spell
Halruuan Adept
7: Incantatrix 2
8: Incantatrix 3
9: Incantatrix 4
Quicken Spell
Summon Elemental
10: Incantatrix 5
11: Incantatrix 6
12: Incantatrix 7
Repeat Spell
Residual Magic
13: Incantatrix 8
14: Incantatrix 9
15: Incantatrix 10
Empower Spell
Spell Thematics
16: Halruaan Elder 1
Adroit Casting: Repeat
17: Halruaan Elder 2
Signature Spell (Summon Monster IX)
18: Halruaan Elder 3
Arcane Thesis (Summon Monster IX)
Rashemi Elemental Summoning
19: Halruaan Elder 4
Adroit Casting: Quicken Spell
20: Malconvoker 1
NET RESULT
- Cast summons as standard
- Treat Quicken and Repeat as +2 Metas
- After every Meta'd casting, repeat 1 meta free next round
- Treat Empower as +1 Meta
- 3 -1 Metamagics per day (School Focus)
- Spontaneously cast SM8-9
- Free Extend (Evil Summons)
- Augment Summoning
- All Incantatrix shenannigans, including:
- 3/Day free Quicken or Repeat
- Free after-the-fact Extend
- Free Augmented, Rashemi Elemental on-tap
CL: 21 (Summons), 23 (SM9)
Also note that if you want to push binding over summoning, swap malconvoker 1 with Halruaan Elder 5, which gives circle magic access to insane caster level boosts.

Basic Thaumaturgist (with Rashemi)
1: Cloistered Cleric 1
Knowledge Domain
Summoner Domain
Dragon Domain
Imbued Summoning
Spell Focus (Conj)
2: Cloistered Cleric 2
3: Cloistered Cleric 3
Metamagic School Focus (Conj)
4: Cloistered Cleric 4
Planar Cleric Sub Level
5: Cloistered Cleric 5
6: Paragnostic Apostle 1
Call Of Worlds
Rapid Spell
7: Paragnostic Apostle 2
Divine Understanding (Summoner)
8: Thaumaturgist 1
9: Thaumaturgist 2
Divine Metamagic: Rapid
10: Thaumaturgist 3
11: Malconvoker 1
12: Thaumaturgist 4
Rashemi Elemental Summoning
13: Thaumaturgist 5
14: Malconvoker 2
15: Malconvoker 3
Residual Magic
16: Malconvoker 4
17: Malconvoker 5
18: Malconvoker 6
Extraordinary Concentration
19: Malconvoker 7
20: Malconvoker 8
NET RESULT:
Ability to cast Summon Monster
- Free Double Extend (Evil; single otherwise)
- AND 3/Day Free Metamagic
- AND Repeat every metamagic free next round
- AND Furied (Evil= +2 Damage/Weapons, +2 HP/HD, +2/Will)
- AND Twin (Evil=Extra Summon)
- AND Fast Healing 5
- AND Augmented
- AND Augmented + Rashemi (Elementals)
CL: 23, 24 (Good), +2 (Dispels)

Shifter Druid (Most people include more moonspeaker than this)
1: Druid 1
Shifter Druid Substitution Level
Greenbound Summoning
2: Druid 2
3: Druid 3
Ashbound
4: Druid 4
Shifter Druid Racial Substitution Level
5: Druid 5
6: Druid 6
Imbued Summoning
7: Druid 7
8: Druid 8
9: Moonspeaker 1
Augment Summoning
Spell Focus (Conjuration)
10: Moonspeaker 2
11: Moonspeaker 3
12: Druid 9
Natural Bond
13: Paragnostic Apostle 1
Call of Worlds
14: Moonspeaker 4
15: Paragnostic Apostle 2
Divine Understanding (Summoner)
Beckon the Frozen
16: Contemplative 1
Bonus Domain (Summoner)
17: Moonspeaker 5
18: Moonspeaker 6
Metamagic School Focus (Conj)
19: Druid 10
20: Paragnostic Apostle 3
Mind over Body
NET RESULT:
Cast Summon Nature's Ally:
- Free Double Extend
- As a Standard Action
- Augmented
- Frozen
- Greenbound
- +3/Hit
- 3/Day Free Imbue
- +HD=CL
Cast Summon Monster 1/Spell Level/Day (Domain)
CL: 20 (SNA), 23 (SM)

Oh, and I also have a rather fun build that can summon as a Sorcerer, Wizard, Cleric and Druid casting 9th level spells. But the build requires a race change (double PaO) at level 5 so it's pretty cheesy.

[Vistra]

Ok so if I wanted to focus on fire spells for myself and then perhaps as a secondary roll focus on the Planar Binding Spells, would Malconvoker still be the best choice or are they more geared toward summon monster rather then planar binding?

What about Thaumaturgist, would this be a better PrC for my concept?

[Urpriest]

Ok so if I wanted to focus on fire spells for myself and then perhaps as a secondary roll focus on the Planar Binding Spells, would Malconvoker still be the best choice or are they more geared toward summon monster rather then planar binding?

What about Thaumaturgist, would this be a better PrC for my concept?

Planar Binding are out-of-combat spells, so you don't really "focus" on them most of the time. While Malconvoker and Thaumaturgist will both help, if you're mostly focused on fire that's going to suck up a lot of your levels, since making blasting work generally takes a big commitment. I'd maybe put a feat or two into Planar Binding (Demon Mastery, or Infernal Bargainer) and otherwise just make sure you've got the spells to boost your Cha checks and penalize your target's.

[Psyren]

Thaumaturgist is more about Planar Ally than Planar Binding. They are similar but Ally is less likely to screw you over because your deity or philosophy is sending you the creature. Unfortunately, with Ally, the DM controls exactly what you get.

You can of course combine it with Malconvoker easily.

One suggestion I would make is to take a look at the Diabolist PrC (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/other-paizo/c-d/diabolist) from Pathfinder. And while you're at it, take a look at the PF Hobgoblin (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/other-races/featured-races/arg-hobgoblin) too (which is natively 0 LA.)

[Flickerdart]

You can of course combine it with Malconvoker easily.
Neutral worshiper of an evil deity, calls up demons from it claiming he needs to do evil and then gets them to run errands? Devious.

[Psyren]

Neutral worshiper of an evil deity, calls up demons from it claiming he needs to do evil and then gets them to run errands? Devious.

And uses the good deeds he performs to balance out the evil calling, keeping his alignment Neutral. And when Inhuman Resources calls him in for a performance review, he Bluffs his way out of it.

I smell a sitcom campaign :smallbiggrin:

[bekeleven]

Thaumaturgist is a calling themed PrC (planar ally/planar binding), although it has a few summoning boosts, so that fits better than malconvoker. However, it's annoying to get into as an arcane caster, since it requires a spell on the cleric list. There are a couple of ways to get the feat onto your wizard list for qualification; most of them cost a feat.

Malconvoker by contrast, is a summoning themed PrC that has a few calling boosts. Both work for both of course; you're starting with a tier 1 class, you can't really mess up.

[Tvtyrant]

They are extremely different, so comparing the two is difficult. Summoning spells are tactical in nature; short duration and easy casting means they work exactly as you would expect them to (as combat fodder.) Calling spells by contrast are like long term buffs; you spend a lot on them and you do not want to lose one.

[Vistra]

Yea I definatly think I like the idea more of summoning a demon against his will and forcing him to do my bidding. I like the bargaining aspect of it and the danger it presents if I fail.

So if I do win the service of a demon from planar binding do I just walk around like a demonic pimp with it? Or can I have it only appear in battle? Would be kind of hard to RP with a giant angry Pit Fiend following me around everywhere.

As far as PrC and feats go. Malconvoker seems awesome to help with Planar Binding, but also seems to focus more on summons, which if not particularly what I want, but perhaps its the closest I can get.

Are there any other feats you can think of that would help with Planar Binding or Summoning Demons / Devils?

And lastly Wizards have a lot of ACFs to consider. I was planning on taking Abrupt Jaunt, but Conjurer variant looks cool too, but perhaps only for summons and not Planar Binding?

I was considering taking Domain Wizard and going with Fire Domain to help my own spells, but maybe Conjuration Domain might be better? Or Focused Specialist?

[eggynack]

I was considering taking Domain Wizard and going with Fire Domain to help my own spells, but maybe Conjuration Domain might be better? Or Focused Specialist?
Go with the conjuration domain. Fire domain is not good. Conjuration domain is very good. Transmutation is also quite good, but conjuration may be more thematically appropriate. It's basically just like normal specialization, in that evocation is generally mediocre, and conjuration and transmutation are great.

[Vistra]

Do wizards make better Binders then Sorcerers?

[Vistra]

Go with the conjuration domain. Fire domain is not good. Conjuration domain is very good. Transmutation is also quite good, but conjuration may be more thematically appropriate. It's basically just like normal specialization, in that evocation is generally mediocre, and conjuration and transmutation are great.

I thought this too, but the spells on the Conjuration Domain are not really ones I see myself using a whole lot, where the Fire domain has all the spells (aside from planar binding) that I want to be casting.

Am I missing why Conjuration is a lot better?

[Gavinfoxx]

If you are planar binding, be sure to get relevant associated spells, like:

Magic Circle Against Law (for the Formians and such)
Magic Circle Against Evil (for most of the evil things)
Enervation
Bestow Curse
Dimensional Anchor
Spectral Hand
Lesser Geas

And Wizards make better 'everything except blasters' than sorcerers.

[eggynack]

I thought this too, but the spells on the Conjuration Domain are not really ones I see myself using a whole lot, where the Fire domain has all the spells (aside from planar binding) that I want to be casting.

Am I missing why Conjuration is a lot better?
Because the fire spells are a pile of blasting spells that range from mediocre to bad, while the conjuration spells are a pile of varying spells that range from pretty good to great. I mean, I'd say something like, "Look at this spell at this level, and compare it to the corresponding spell on the opposite list, and see how good the conjuration one is compared to the fire one," but I'd basically be doing that for every spell in sequence, because each and every conjuration spell is better (except for maybe acid splash vs. flare).

[Gavinfoxx]

Read the appropriate links here:

http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=399.0

Especially the various wizard handbooks and handbooks which talk about calling spells.

[Vistra]

Ohh, just found a pretty sweet feat for my concept Fiendish Summoning Specialist.

Does anyone know how I select these Fiends? What requirments must they meet for each summon monster spell (I, II, III, IV, etc.)

[Flickerdart]

If you're interested in calling, Nar Demonbinder is the go-to PrC...until you see its spell progression, which caps out at 8th level spells for no good reason. It's not a bad combination with Fiendbinder if you want your master of otherworldly creatures to ooze flavour out of every pore and don't mind dropping a tier or two.

[Vistra]

If you're interested in calling, Nar Demonbinder is the go-to PrC...until you see its spell progression, which caps out at 8th level spells for no good reason. It's not a bad combination with Fiendbinder if you want your master of otherworldly creatures to ooze flavour out of every pore and don't mind dropping a tier or two.

They are pretty weak options are they?

[Flickerdart]

They are pretty weak options are they?
Nar Demonbinder is pretty solid, just not for a full caster entry. A Paladin 1/Blackguard 10 qualifies, and gets 8th level spells at level 18 that way.

Fiendbinder is kind of rubbish, mostly because it's a 7/10 class whose class features are fairly underwhelming. Its biggest advantage is that the fiends called with its signature class feature are permanently bound to serve you (unless you are dead for more than 24 hours in a row).

[Pluto!]

Does anyone know how I select these Fiends? What requirments must they meet for each summon monster spell (I, II, III, IV, etc.)
There aren't really any parameters except the CR guidelines that you might extrapolate from the summon monster spells, and whatever leeway your DM is willing to grant.

The trick to optimizing your list is giving the DM a sandwich and complimenting his/her grooming ahead of time.

[Vistra]

So with Fiendish Summoning Specialist, which list to I draw from to select my new demons?

[Vistra]

There aren't really any parameters except the CR guidelines that you might extrapolate from the summon monster spells, and whatever leeway your DM is willing to grant.

The trick to optimizing your list is giving the DM a sandwich and complimenting his/her grooming ahead of time.

Lol, you must have answered while I was asking in the next post. Gonna go make a sandwitch

[Endarire]

Mastering the Malconvoker (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=2791.0)

[Tvtyrant]

Every summoner needs a Ring of Mighty Summons. Max HP

[eggynack]

Every summoner needs a Ring of Mighty Summons. Max HP
Also half the duration, which can often be problematic, and can often make the bonus HP meaningless if the summons wouldn't have died within the shortened time span anyway. It's a good item, but it's not perfect.

[Tvtyrant]

Also half the duration, which can often be problematic, and can often make the bonus HP meaningless if the summons wouldn't have died within the shortened time span anyway. It's a good item, but it's not perfect.

If you are a Druid you are likely auto-extending summons already, and if you are using them for combat 5-10 rounds is more than enough (average combat is what? 3 rounds? 4 rounds?)

You don't have to use it, but I can't think of a scenario where owning one is detrimental while I can think of lots where it would be detrimental not to.

[eggynack]

If you are a Druid you are likely auto-extending summons already, and if you are using them for combat 5-10 rounds is more than enough (average combat is what? 3 rounds? 4 rounds?)

You don't have to use it, but I can't think of a scenario where owning one is detrimental while I can think of lots where it would be detrimental not to.
True enough. I was planning to mention the nifty interaction with ashbound, but then I realized that it's non-applicable in this case, because we're talking about summon monster rather than summon nature's ally. Shortened duration can still be fairly problematic, even with ashbound summoning, if the druid is using standard druidic inevitability tactics, involving flight, a bunch of BFC's, and the summons (as well as the animal companion, and maybe some long term damaging factor like call lightning) for clean up. It's definitely cheap enough that it's worth having access to the ability though.

[Vistra]

So I just found this guide

http://community.wizards.com/forum/previous-editions-character-optimization/threads/1134896

And I was wondering, if these are all the legal summons, what would I need the "Fiendish Summoning Specialist" feat for?

[Vistra]

Alright so I looked up the Nar Demonbinder and it looks to be exactly what i'm looking for except.........it's entirely based off charisma and casts spells as a sorcerer :(

I was so happy reading the class description until I got to this part.

Is there any sense trying to make this PrC work with a Wizard? If not how would you guys go about building a good Nar Demonbinder?

[Pluto!]

And I was wondering, if these are all the legal summons, what would I need the "Fiendish Summoning Specialist" feat for?
Basically, fiends that aren't on that list. If you look up Gnorman's guide to the lower planes (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=5573.msg184193) (mostly a Planar Binding reference), he points out and discusses uses for all sorts of outsiders that aren't on summon lists.

[Urpriest]

Alright so I looked up the Nar Demonbinder and it looks to be exactly what i'm looking for except.........it's entirely based off charisma and casts spells as a sorcerer :(

I was so happy reading the class description until I got to this part.

Is there any sense trying to make this PrC work with a Wizard? If not how would you guys go about building a good Nar Demonbinder?

There's one prestige class, Ultimate Magus, from Complete Mage, that lets you combine a spontaneous casting class and a prepared casting class. You'll still be dependent on two different ability scores, but you'll be able to advance both sources of casting at least.

That said, you really ought to make sure you've got a build that can blast decently if that's most of what you want to be doing in combat, and fill in gaps in the build with summoning/binding optimization, rather than the other way around. Blasting well is hard.

[Vistra]

There's one prestige class, Ultimate Magus, from Complete Mage, that lets you combine a spontaneous casting class and a prepared casting class. You'll still be dependent on two different ability scores, but you'll be able to advance both sources of casting at least.

That said, you really ought to make sure you've got a build that can blast decently if that's most of what you want to be doing in combat, and fill in gaps in the build with summoning/binding optimization, rather than the other way around. Blasting well is hard.

This is exactly what I'm trying to do, I'm just not sure how best to accomplish it.


would being primarily a fire themed blaster, filing in the gaps with planar binding optimizing be better for a wizard or a sorcerer?

Nar Demonbinder, Incantrix, or possibly a gish type prc are all being consideted
Nar Demonbinder, incantrix

[Urpriest]

This is exactly what I'm trying to do, I'm just not sure how best to accomplish it.


So if I was to go with the Nar Demonbinder, would sorcerer be my best place to start? Do the have everything required to use planar binding effectively?

Or should I stick to wizard and enhance my planar binding through other means?

There are two ways to view Nar Demonbinder: as a class that gives you a new form of casting that you can stir into the old one, or as a class that gives class abilities that make you better at binding.

If you just want to use the casting, something like Wizard 7/Nar Demonbinder 1/Ultimate Magus 10/some other Wizard PrC 2 will work. You'll need DM permission to enter Ultimate Magus with Nar Demonbinder, since technically it requires 1st level spells and Nar Demonbinder starts at 4ths. If your DM is less permissive, there are tricks to get a 1st level spell on your list. This sort of build will give you free metamagic from sacrificing Nar Demonbinder slots (Persistent Spell and Quicken Spell are good choices), as well as a high caster level in Nar Demonbinder so you'll be really good at casting Blasphemy.

If you want the class features, Sorceror 8/Nar Demonbinder 7 is fine, if a bit awkward since it stops at 8th level spells.

Otherwise, I'd suggest sticking to Wizard, with blasting PrCs. There are a bunch of ways to enhance your planar binding just through spells alone, and if you really need it a couple feats (Infernal Bargainer in particular) will go a long way. Pick up a PrC that gives you free metamagic like Incantatrix and use it to blast effectively, with your binding serving as background flexibility. (To answer your earlier question, the bound fiends don't have to hang around near you all the time. Many of them can teleport, after all. Just make sure to have a hideout to do your calling in.)

[Flickerdart]

Wizards are slightly better for planar binding because they don't need to prepare it and magic circle unless they plan to bind something that day. On the other hand, sorcerers have better Charisma to use for those opposed checks.

[Urpriest]

Wizards are slightly better for planar binding because they don't need to prepare it and magic circle unless they plan to bind something that day. On the other hand, sorcerers have better Charisma to use for those opposed checks.

If you've got access to Dragon Magazine, Dragon 336 has a spell that lets you use Int instead of Cha for binding checks, among other benefits. It has a few other nice spells for binding, too.

[Vistra]

What would you recommend for a blaster wizard. Focused Specalized with Abrupt Jaunt, or Domain Wizard with Fire Domain?

If Specalized, what 3 schools can I drop without hurting my Planar Binding too much?