D&D 5E Summon Monster Spell

[levimote]

After playing a Wizard Conjurer in 5e for awhile I was frustrated that the party Druid could out-summon me despite my specialization.
I understand the unbalancing effects an extra combatant (or 8) can create. So my goal is to make a spell that allows the Conjurer to compete with the Druid without creating a Pixie/T-Rex situation. I also want the solution to be the least fiddly it can be. In other words, I don't want tables of monsters to deal with. So this is my solution. Please playtest it if you can and let me know how it works for you.

Summon Monster
2^nd Level Conjuration (Wizard)

Casting Time: 1 Action
Range: 60 feet
Components: VS
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You summon a CR ½ creature of the Monstrosity type that appears in an unoccupied space that you can see within range.
The summoned creature is friendly to you and your companions for the duration. Roll initiative for the summoned creature separately, as it has its own turns. It obeys any verbal commands that you issue to it (no action required by you). If you don't issue any commands to it, it defends itself from hostile creatures, but otherwise take no actions.
If your concentration is broken, the creature doesn't disappear. Instead, you lose control of it, it becomes hostile toward you and your companions, and it might attack. An uncontrolled creature can't be dismissed by you.
The GM has the creatures' statistics.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using higher level spell slots, you may summon a more powerful creature. 3^rd Level Spell slot may summon a CR 1 or lower creature of the Monstrosity type. For each Spell slot above 3^rd Level spent increase the highest CR allowed by 1.

 

[aco175]

I can see the need to summon something better and a real monster is a good idea. A also like that it can go rogue and attack you if you loose concentration. I may make it easier to keep concentration as you go up in level of the spell at higher levels.

 

[Gadget]

I would maybe give a list of about 4-6 monsters summonable by the spell, and have the DM choose what appears or roll a d(4/6) to see what you get. Casting in a higher level slot allows more of the monsters to be summoned; numbers can count for more in this edition than previous versions of the game. This prevents the meta-game of search-for-the-most-powerful-or-broken-monster of a given CR, or even picking the most "powerful" on the list allowed. The spell will eventually age out of use, as it is rarely that useful to spend higher level spell slots (say 5th level or higher) for a bunch of 1/2 CR monsters, but that's okay. A Greater Summoning could be added at 4-5th level that lets the caster summon (randomly or DM choice) from a list of higher CR monsters, with more appearing at higher level spell slots. This mimics how some of the other summoning spells are used and goes a long way to prevent unintended abuse.

 

[jaelis]

I like that even a homebrewed version of summoning spells is ambiguous about whether the caster or the DM picks the creature type

 

[AntiStateQuixote]

1 minute casting time for a 1 minute concentration spell makes this spell nearly useless for combat. If that's what you intended, cool, but if not reconsider either casting time (1 action) or duration (1 hour concentration).

 

[neogod22]

In Xanther's guide, you get a few spells to summon devils. *evil laugh* but yes, I thought there would be a monster summoning spell that summons real monsters like some of the older editions.

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[neogod22]

1 minute casting time for a 1 minute concentration spell makes this spell nearly useless for combat. If that's what you intended, cool, but if not reconsider either casting time (1 action) or duration (1 hour concentration).

I agree. 1 min. Casting time should be for stronger monsters (summon elemental, summon fey), they also have long durations (1hr), and run the risk of attacking the caster if they lose concentration. The weaker spells should just be an action, have a short duration, and have no chance of having the creatures turn on the caster.

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[gyor]

In Xanther's guide, you get a few spells to summon devils. *evil laugh* but yes, I thought there would be a monster summoning spell that summons real monsters like some of the older editions.

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Between Unseen Servant, Find Familiar, Conjure Elemental, Conjure Minor Elementals, Summon Lesser Demons, Summon Greater Demons, and Infernal Calling, you have finally have a fair amount of summoning spells, there is a fair amount of different kinds of creatures you can summon. Infestation technically summons creatures to attack your oppenant too.

In fact I think after XGTE someone should write a guide to summoning, exploring all the different summonable creatures, spells, and Subclasses, ect... that effect summoning.

 

[Xeviat]

I think 2nd level for 1/2 miiiiiiiiiiiight be fair.

Conjure Animals is Level 3 for 1 CR 2 (and most use it for the multiple of lower levels)
Conjure Minor Elementals and Conjure Woodland Beings is Level 4 for 1 CR 2.
+1 level for double the summons, alongside double the summons for -1 CR, does kind of feel like it should be +1 level for +1 CR.

Following Conjure Minor Elementals and Woodland Beings, Level 2 would be CR 1/2. But, conjure celestial is level 7 for a CR 4, and CR 5 for level 9. This suggests more that +2 spell levels is +1 CR. But it also lasts longer. Conjure Elemental is Level 5 for CR 5, and +1 level for +1 CR, but it can turn on you.

But how much damage can a CR 1/2 monster do in 3 rounds? How much HP does it have? It will function either as a damage spell spread out, a big healing spell (by absorbing a bunch of attacks), or (most likely) a mix of both.

If Conjure Celestial is CR 5 for level 9, and lasts for 1 hour, your Summon Monster is CR 7 for level 9 and lasts 1 minute (I'd drop the casting time to 1 action). That could be fine. Even if you only have 2 combats in 1 hour, that's probably better. Level 7 would allow CR 5, level 7 spell is worth 10 mp and a level 9 is 13 mp, so 2 castings of a 7 is more expensive than 1 of a 9.

Make it 1 action, it's probably balanced. Just check the amount of spells some CR 1 monsters can cast (because if any CR 1 monsters can cast a level 3 spell, it's too much of a trade).

 

[Hawk Diesel]

I think I would allow a version of this spell to conjure a specific being that is friendly to you. That way you have the stats predetermined. If you give it items or gear, maybe it keeps them for the next summon. If you upcast this, maybe you call forth a future version of the monster that is more powerful.

I like the idea of summoners calling forth different creatures they need for various tasks, frontline combatants, or meatshields. But I also really like the idea of creating a pact or agreement with a specific and maybe a somewhat unique individual or monster. Allows opportunities for role play.

But overall, I love the spell you have here!

EDIT: But yes, casting time should be 1 action.