Posting a different topic as to not derail this thread: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=84609

I was motivated to post because of the thread I linked, and something I read LetumLux post as well, about some things possibly needing change due to the current player numbers in Amia.

A forum user commented about 2 "good" Animal summon options, but wouldnt divulge any more because that would get the thread locked. I too was reminded via PM that it is not proper "forum etiquette" to discuss summon stats or post screenshots of them.

Can we discuss that? From what I read on the forums Skype is a very common form of communication both ingame and out of it. I am guessing that these stats/items/summons are openly discussed and shared there, as well as many other pieces of information related to the module and its modifications. Dont you think that the forum could use some more freedom in discussing those here as well?

IMHO it prevents this information from reaching new players, and I would think informed new players is a good thing. Personally, I dont see much logic in it when a new player would, for example, find advice in the Fishing Lessons sub-forum telling them to take 1 level of bard at 27 for a skill dump, and not bother with 2wf feats as there are items with those feats available, but they wouldnt be able to find information or even discuss summon/familiar/AC stats apart from "use this one, trust me", if that much. Both cases would contain the same thing, OOC information on how your character will perform IG.

This is sincerely something that just confuses me, and I thought about posting, not to complain in any way. English is not my first language, so if there is something wrong about my asking it or the way the thread is presented, please give me the benefit of the doubt. The idea behind it is satisfy a curiosity and perhaps discuss a change, not to open any cans containing Annelidae =)

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I play:
Frums Deedone, the Green Child
Balrig Sootkiln, Blood and Vellum

Question - two usable as for normal summons or epic? Cause normal summoning options seems okay (at least 4 types work pretty good, some summons on certain levels are better for specialized roles, but generally I dont see problem there), epic summons depends on your playstyle, but I think there are more than two (though it is possible that two of them are soooo good, that there is not much reason (system-wise, there is always reason for RP) to take others.

As for information. I think that it would be nice to get at least like two sentence description of each type of epic summon, so you can figure out if that summon is usable. For example when I was trying to take EMD outsider with neutral I googled the creature and got to think: "well it's either gonna be hardcore defense monk, who does not hit anything, or it will be some caster, gods be with me it does not suck at casting". Once I had it, tried it and I was right with one of those and it actually fitted what I expected. So if we could have not just names, but also a short description of fighting capability, it would be really nice.

Also, I think that one of the reasons for existence of good and bad summoning options (even for EMD) is that summons dont have possibility of getting their weapons buffed (Epic Mummy Dust - neutral vs good outsider? undead vs most others?). I used to play on server, where every summon had buffable weapon (even when they used just claws). I dunno how it was done, but it would be nice to have here.

BTW: summon vs area elemental damage effects (Fire Giant's Lair, that icy place around Maximus) is annoying.

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Zendaer Amattis
Torgon Crimsonshade
Khalid Athanalo
CET time zone

I don't see any reason not to post ALL summon stats up. They are supposed to be balanced, so what's the harm?

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Because people are afraid everyone else will pick the best summon for mechanical reasons instead of "RP" or "lore" reasons (but they already do).

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Melsa

There are horrors beyond life's edge that we do not suspect,
and once in a while, man's evil prying calls them just within our range.

They are not balanced then?

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Mummy dust summons are 'balanced' but they all have their own roles they fill. Some are tankier with more AC and DR, but less AB. Others hit harder and consistently, but have less AC, etc. Certain ones are just better overall.
The various alignment summons are much more varied, as are the Summon Monster I-IX creatures. Can't forget about shadow conjuration/Shades and blackguard summons either.

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Melsa

There are horrors beyond life's edge that we do not suspect,
and once in a while, man's evil prying calls them just within our range.

You just contradicted yourself here.

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Let me reiterate: For an epic summon, they feel like they're in the proper place, not overpowered or completely useless. One of them simply feels more useful in most situations.

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Melsa

There are horrors beyond life's edge that we do not suspect,
and once in a while, man's evil prying calls them just within our range.

I've always thought the secrecy was sketchy as hell.

These sum up my opinion very succinctly.

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Occasionally seen as [DM] Raua, or playerside as...

Here's a bit of a logic question:

Couldn't the build forum do the same thing? As in, perhaps push people to take a certain class or skills and ignore the RP and Lore? Couldn't the Shifter spreadsheet? ... Don't NG Druid/Shifters (who aren't RPing as just a Shifter) still fall for using Undead forms, or is that a thing of the past now?

If the worry truly is the ignoring of RP and lore, I wouldn't worry about it that much, you know? There's a lot of other things that's going on with the server that needs to be worried over. And if a DM sees a LG/NG/CG character taking and actively using the Necromancy version of Mummy Dust with no intentions to have it reskinned into a creature that makes sense for their alignment or Deity... Wouldn't it be a hell of a lot easier to just drop their good alignment down to neutral, rather than having and/or dealing with this discussion about the secrecy every 5-6 months?

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Yes. It makes no sense that this is the one thing hidden when we actively give out other information on such, or it's available on the wiki.

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Signature by Maryn! <3 I am also seen as DM Snuffles.

Yup i'm getting tired of folks asking me what Epic summon/Animal companion to take , can we please just make it public, myself and 85% of the server knows the good from the bad ones, why not let the other 25% know....
They could well be balanced but it dosent feel that way to me , but that's just grumpy old me talking


And that's why you only see that *one* used as we the veteran players know but can't tell the new guys or they will only take that one! Until the realize that for themselves and regret taking that Elemental summon when they could have gotten the *piep* that nearly every other Vet runs around with ( this is Sarcasm before you kill me )

Sketchy as hell indeed *piep*

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Plays:
Ragnar Ungorn
Hasam Alrab