What abilities does the Divine Summoners summons get anyway? (rant)

[probo_]

I love playing tactical rpgs, and I like sitting there trying to figure out the best build for my party and such. But the problem for me is that nowhere on the internet can I find information on what the summons actually do on higher level. So how am I supposed to find out? You will never have enough skillpoints to level up more than 3 of the summons, but theres 8 of them. So am I supposed to level up 3 different divine summoners to find out what I will get once I am level 30? Thats crazy. I want to make *informed* decisions right *now*.

The best page I found so far has information on everything except all the summons, its a google document if anyone cares (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-fbibC4I08-FLVBMryrxHrrwacO6th5Kx18qZfRTpas/edit?pref=2&pli=1#gid=213488736). But it doesn't contain information about all the summons.

So I am forced to go through all kinds of guides that frankly spoils the game for me a bit, just to try and figure out what these summons will do on higher level, but even then I am just told all the time "get golot, Raznet and Nalaet". Sure, ok, I could listen blindly to how other people think I should play the game but I personally would rather make the decisions myself. If I knew what skills the other summons got I could immediately make up my mind.

Guess I am supposed to spend weeks playing my party only to actually never find out what most of those summons would actually do. Because this games design does *not* leave room for testing and failing, not only won't you have enough skillpoints to ever get more than 3 summons, but you can't even save your skillpoints and then TRY OUT different summons on level 15 or such. No, because you *have to* upgrade skills one level at a time.

Well I am honestly so tired of playing games like these. I lately played Avernum: Escape from the pit and I was wracking my brain trying to *not* gimp my characters, and in doing so I had to basically spoil so much of the game that it almost stopped being any fun anylonger.

It's a real shame. I would have really enjoyed playing these games but why can't I ever be given proper information about skills I am supposed to invest to heavily into? Either have a retraining ability in your game or for the love of god at least tell us what we are putting our points into!

[Celerity, Executor of Impunity]

Really short answer: All of the summons are bad, Divine Summoner is the worst class in the game.
Slightly longer answer: Since you have the game open the mod tool. Don't download any mods or anything. Just look at the Heralds tab. It shows the exact skill progression at every single level.

[probo_]

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥, thanks man!!

[EolSunder]

well, basically....

Your party is 6 people, you have 8 slots. Your summoner can whip up a couple summons to fill those 2 slots. Usually its back row since summers have better back row support summons, so stick 4 people up front, keep your summoner and his 2 summons in back. You can whip up a variety of help, some kinda worthless, some fun to play with.. Hey, a summons that drains money from the enemy.. Guess what, you will have much more money to buy stuff with, so actually use that extra money to level up skills more, buy more stuff, use your summoner (who isn't a great character) to use potions and scrolls in a fight when needed, you'll have extra money to keep inventory stocked up. Throw out archer summons, healer summons, i'm guessing its best to just keep the money maker going as number 1, and in tough fights can use more battle tested summons.

[wefuntw]

Summoners can summon heralds that use both cleric or mage spells , so he/she can both be attacker or healer .
my favorite summons:
Nalaet can heal , cure bleed, cure poison .. etc, which is the most important herald.
Taliet can cast AOE ice and lightening spells.
Valvet can cast AOE fire spells.