Domination/ Summoning.

[Crenshinibon]

Long time reader/observer, just joined. Whooo!

Right, I was wondering how effective the Tribal Domination branch is. I mean, what is the best monster you've managed to dominate?

Also, in the opinnion of those that are going to reply, what is the best summoning spell and why?

What advantages does Monster Summoning have over Raise Undead and vice versa.

How good is Spiritual Knight?

Also, just curious how good is righteous fury?

After beating the game, I'm actually trying to make my character "premade" for a faction, which this time will be the Inquisition.

[Ravager]

Originally Posted by Crenshinibon

Long time reader/observer, just joined. Whooo!

Nice. I hope you have a good time.

Originally Posted by Crenshinibon

Right, I was wondering how effective the Tribal Domination branch is. I mean, what is the best monster you've managed to dominate?

I managed to dominate an Assassin before, the one in the Nostradamus Caverns if you've reached that far. I probably could have dominated something tougher further on, but I haven't used the Domination spells extensively.

Originally Posted by Crenshinibon

Also, in the opinnion of those that are going to reply, what is the best summoning spell and why?

The Necromancy summoning spells are quite good, I had quite a bit of practice with those, if I remember correctly those require the least points to get started with and the creature gets tougher as you put more points in, I haven't had that much experience with the other Summoning spells though.

[Crenshinibon]

Thanks. I'm enjoying myself immensely. These games are my life.

Alright, I'll try to check it out. It does seem to be more conservative than summoning as it doesn't drain your mana every few seconds.

As for the necromancy, yea, I guess it's the quickest way to a summon, but they're kind of weak in early game... kind of. I mean once you actually leave Barcelona and go to find the relics.

[Ravager]

Glad you're enjoying yourself.

Yeah, all of the summoned creatures can be a bit weak. The key is to use them as support for your character, otherwise they get beaten to a pulp quickly. If you use the button to stop followers from following you and lure enemies to within the sight of the summoned creature that might help you a bit.
The spell does get more powerful summoning tougher undead as you put more points in. You start off with a zombie and work through skeletons and brimstone reavers, so they can get quite tough, especially when enhanced with other spells like Divine Might.

[Crenshinibon]

I usually try to stick with a single branch for casting, as there are several traits and feats that benefit branch A and harm branch B.

Although I like the AI here, it makes the summons a bit less useful.

It's like BG or IWD where you summoned a monster and your opponent would atatck it. Here, most of the enemies go after the caster, ignoring the monster.

[Ravager]

Well, the divine branches are usually useful, particularly the Fortitude branch with the Healing spell. And the other brnches combine quite well, Criplle Enemies reduces an enemies crushing resistance while Divine Might increases the amount of crushing damage that you deal.

You like the AI? Heh, I can't stand it. Whenever a follower/summon sees an enemy this rush straight into it, usually starting a war and getting themself and you killed.

I think that the enemies often attack the first person they see, that's how they would attack the caster rather than the summon. I suppose it compensates fo the lack of tactics that all the followers suffer from.

[Crenshinibon]

Well, I worded it wrong...

I mean that this AI is more realistic. You can be awfully cheap in BG2 by sending out a Wizard's eye and your Similacarum(sp?) to go and kill enemies left and right. Kind of the same thing with the first one, just spam animate dead and have them kill your opponent.

The summons here are less useful and the AI is more realistic.