Sorcerer: Aberrant Mind Summoner: D&D 5e

[@johnosborn3828]

Beholderkin is a medium aberration with flying and 16 strength. A kobold is a small creature. Couldn’t you ride the beholderkin?

[@TreantmonksTemple]

I did not consider that. It would even have handles to hold!

[@Spigele]

I don't think its physiology lends itself to mounted combat, but at the very least it would need an exotic saddle

[@cattiston374]

@@Spigele couldn’t you argue that the caster could remain tight by telling the beholderkin to use their multiple eye stalks to wrap around the caster (some sort of glider lol)? Or just flavor the spell so you can mount it? Specially considering that how the sorcerer summons it is rather unique (out of tin air lol) instead of traditional material components. I guess the only argument against it would be due to Find Steed spell? But honestly fuck the Paladin they already have good shit going for them 😂

[@johnosborn3828]

@@TreantmonksTemple I bet you could make a harness that would let you fly it like a hot air balloon. Lol

[@matthewconlon2388]

Kids on playgrounds would disagree.

[@dominicl5862]

Ive been watching for years and I love to hear Treantmonk become more confident and relaxed in his vids. He quipps at the viewers and theres a hint of sassy.

[@JoshBorlase]

Chris goes #SassMode

[@joshuarawlins7793]

I love when Chris gets a little sassy about his comment trolls. It legit makes my day :D

[@williamtaylor6886]

You promised multiple summoner builds, each different, powerful, and interesting, with none relying on Conjure Animals. Mission accomplished - fun builds. Kobold for the win!

[@patrickhobing8785]

The Quasit familiar if you have the "Investment of the Chain Master" invocation synergizes really well with the Putrid Undead. If you have a way of keeping them both reasonably safe they can Paralyze fairly reliably

[@steelcooley5190]

An even better reason for a hexblade warlock dip on the character

[@Finalplayer14]

Huh! That's a cool idea, I think Sprite seems like a better option? Its Shortbow has a 40/160 range and it has a +6 to hit vs the Quasit Claw's +4 to hit. And more importantly its Poison on a failed save last for a full minute with no additional saves to cure it. Pseudodragon's poison last for 1 hour with no additional saves, but it is melee only. Its a shame there's no way to increase the accuracy on these guys.

[@dragonhearthx8369]

I discovered a interesting build. The iron wizard lizard. Lizardfolk scribe wizard. And you take 1 spell for each level that give physical damage. And surprisingly each level has one. You then take fire damage spells and convert them to physical. Edit. Lizardfolk is chosen because of permanent mage armor. No need to take that spell.

[@jcdenton2187]

The Iron Wizardfolk.

[@Nil_Echo]

I've been playing an Aberrant Mind sorc for a while now and it's been CRAZY fun. I've been getting a ton of mileage out of the Summon Aberration and while the Beholderkin form is great, I've found the Slaad to be super useful when the team needs an extra body on the field to soak up some damage give the casters a little more breathing room.

[@blackvision6097]

🎉🎉 😂

[@maybevoldemort8995]

This has been a really interesting series. There is so much depth to some aspects of the game. It also feels so good as a dm that there is now a great resource I can point players who want to do summoning to. Previously, it has been “no summoning shenanigans that involves lots of summons”, but apart from showing them the other spells I haven’t had much to give them.

[@mirkalimaricadie160]

I mean, setting aside the awesome summoning focus of this build, I really love the psionic sorcery. That conversion is just delicious. I like to point out to GMs that it means I can cast Tasha's Hideous Laughter Or Dissonant whispers (or Silvery Barbs, which I didn't use this character) 30 times per day at level 7, or 15 twinned Tasha's per day (Add in another 5 sorcery points if you get the bloodwell vial). This feels what sorcery should be like to me.

[@georgeclinton4524]

I played an Aberrant Mind Sorcerer where in her backstory she had survived having her throat cut and was mute because of it, and to regain her ability to speak required either a 6th lvl Heal spell or a 7th lvl Regenerate spell cast on her. She communicated entirely telepathically and to cast a spell with a verbal component required either Subtle Spell or her Psionic Sorcery. It was interesting picking out her low level spells and specifically choosing one without a verbal component like Ice Knife, Absorb Elements, Counterspell, Hypnotic Pattern, etc. until at 7th level the party pooled it's resources to buy a Heal spell at a temple for her.

[@darkfograven570]

Just started the video but I love your energy with the characters backstory

[@elementzero3379]

Another fun build. I've enjoyed this series, particularly since I'd not had any opportunity to get a real look at the newer Summon spells. The super-precise math mad me chuckle. 😄

[@keggotht9323]

This has been a great series of builds. I've always loved the idea of aberrant mind using the beholderkin summon

[@CupUhhJo]

I just got into learning to optimize builds and my god the math is so crunchy to me sometimes 😩. I love builds that just work all the time. Consistency is my favorite, but I am awful at math. Thank goodness for TreantMonk 🙌🏾

[@Foliash]

Love to see aberrant mind sorcerer on the channel! I enjoyed the last one but it was a very particular theme. So one thats similar to how i'd theme an aberrant mind is really cool and love to see your ideas for it. I hadn't even considered how much use they can get from summon spells using sorcery points.

[@44tuck3r]

I played a chronurgist for a couple one shots, and got a lot of mileage out of Summon Aberration + Blindness. Honestly, blinding enemies alone can be so effective, especially when dealing with spellcasters. The beholderkin never went down and was useful in many combats before we rested; it definitely helps your spell slots go further.

[@Apfeljunge666]

Monk Ki lets a 4 Elements Monk upcast spells. Sage advice even puts this as an example for an exception to the "only spell slots to upcast" rule. Based on the wording of Psionic Sorcery, I would say that it also allows spells to be upcast.

[@bozieu]

I like the idea but I'm usure. Wouldn't that mean that you could upcast it to 8th level at level 7 with the Metamagic Adept feat? That seems very strong.

[@Apfeljunge666]

@@bozieu hmm, that is a good point. didnt think about upcasting the spell beyond your current level spell slots available. Though, balance has nothing to do with RAW here.

[@cattiston374]

@@bozieu actually that feat specifies that the 2 sorcery points are ONLY for Metamagic, but I can see that everyone just combines them lol

[@bozieu]

@@cattiston374 thank you for the correction! Even without the feat it's still level 8 spells at level 8 though.

[@bozieu]

@@Apfeljunge666 I went to check on the Monk and this is what I found: "Once you reach 5th level in this class, you can spend additional ki points to increase the level of an elemental discipline spell that you cast, provided that the spell has an enhanced effect at a higher level, as burning hands does. The spell’s level increases by 1 for each additional ki point you spend. For example, if you are a 5th-level monk and use Sweeping Cinder Strike to cast burning hands, you can spend 3 ki points to cast it as a 2nd-level spell (the discipline’s base cost of 2 ki points plus 1)." Since there's a paragraph explaining upcasting, I wouldn't say it is similar to the aberant mind.

[@pcz2093]

A character with this concept should also have Summon Draconic Spirit, right?

[@TreantmonksTemple]

Good point! Missed opportunity.

[@Adurnis]

@@TreantmonksTemple Except the spirit is, naturally, an elder brain dragon spirit.

[@adriel8498]

Sadly, sorcerers can't learn that spell... :c

[@pcz2093]

@@adriel8498 but they can

[@deathtoexistance]

@@pcz2093 true, bit weird that every sorcerer gets a summon spell now.

[@rupert7565]

The more efficient use of sorcery points immediately made me think of the coffelock.

[@PatPeez]

with the release of The Book of Many Things introducing the Cartomancer feat, that's pretty much a must grab for any spellcaster right (except maybe Warlock)? Especially sorcerer, unless I am misinterpreting the feat you basically get an extra of whatever your highest level spellslot is, which is already fantastic because as a high level caster you can basically get double the 9th lvl spell slots. For sorcerer though this also means you can still get your once per long rest 9th lvl spell (with a free quicken) and then take your 9th lvl spell slot and get 9 sorcery points.

[@christophergoff775]

Ive actually been playing this same exact character for the past 6 months. However I RP him as though he believes hes a mindflayers and not a kobold. Its been tons of fun!

[@rpranger6115]

Incapacitated makes you lose Concentration, and there are some Wis saves that carry the Incapacitated condition. I believe it's better to go with Res (Wis) than Res (Dex) for that reason.

[@ProfessorCLion]

Clairvoyance and Enemies abound are decent options for 3rd level psionic switches. Tongues could be handy too

[@adriel8498]

Heyy!! I love the summoners and aberrant mind is my favorite subclass of my favorite class, sorcerers!!! I haven't seen this video yet but I'm sure it's going to be awesome.

[@Lumpyrox1412]

Actually i’m 90% sure there is Dragon Scarred as a background which works for slavery by dragon iirc?

[@corybrant6864]

You actually don’t need any action for using the Aberrant Spirit stat block. It says “In combat, the creature shares your initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours. It obeys your verbal commands (no action required by you). If you don’t issue any, it take the Dodge action and uses its move to avoid danger.”

[@miguelangelus959]

I made a build like this one a while ago for Tyranny of Dragons, just not as focused on summoning. Managed the lack of armor proficiency by multiclassing into Artificer 1. Delayed spellcasting level, but normal spell slot progression

[@elzed2667]

My favorite thing about Aberrant Mind is that you can convert all your spell slots into sorcery points and just have a single number to keep track of for every single ability you have

[@Gafizal1]

I know you loathe the Peace cleric, but would a level of peace cleric at character level 8 or 9 make sense, esp since Lvl 11 is maybe your worst damage level and you get could probably string the party such that the summon gets the bonus to hit and it helps your own Wis saves…

[@TreantmonksTemple]

A one level peace dip is almost always good, which is part of my problem with the subclass.

[@Gafizal1]

One other thought to piggy back off your comment that the beholder kim is unlikely to die due to trauma… I agree, but also, I think the ( combat-inferior) Saalad is wonderful as meat shield/ scout in dungeon exploration

[@leonardoconde8930]

What in particular does the kobold bring us here? The advantage is strong, but we need to be within 10 feet of an enemy, is that really what we want? This build doesn't have warcaster for even better concentration checks and better offensive in close combat, so i'm guessing we really don't want to be in melee. Also dipping 2 levels in warlock in lvls 8 and 9 look really good here.

[@InnsannaStories]

Whats the issue with Hunger of Hadar? It seems like a very effective spell- I mean, it is concentration, but so is Spirit Guardians, which is a great spell, and Hadar seems to trade the mobility and ally safety for a larger area and blindness (which RAW means ally attack rolls are made flat, since they have advantage against blinded creatures, right? cancels out not being able to see them). Sure, it doesnt interact well with a summoner build, but its seems like theres some issue with the spell we dont quite understand, and I'd still rather have it than tongues.

[@אלחנןזייבלד]

respect for taking the time to troll us back

[@ElManReborn616]

Here's my concept, albeit it exists just because it's zany: alchemist 3, wildfire druid X. As a flavour, this is a paleopunk character, something like a caveman out of the jungle of chults, making inventions out of stone and pelts and empowering wild animals with his experimental herbs The idea is, you start druid, go wildfire, get summon beast, so you have two summons, them being the wildfire and the bestial spirit. Bestial spirit attack with advantage thanks to wildfire spirit, who prepares its teleport action to bring it back to safety. Then go artificer, alchemist for the alter self elixir, which makes bestial spirit's attacks magical for 10 minutes and compensate for your non metal armor restrictions with an enhanced defence. Later on, you can use enhanced weapon on a shortsword for the fey spirit, then back to potions for the elemental and finally draconic spirit. Napkin maths says it works and I find it's fun to mix the most hi-tech class with the one that abhors forged metals!

[@samuelbroad11]

I like

[@derekchristensen6965]

I never see you reccomend enemies abound... that seems like an obvious 3rd level enchantment pick for the psionic spells. Combined with subtle spell that is insane in any kind of urban city environment you can have anyone start assulting anyone else and presumably not have anyone suspect your character. It could twin nicely or quicken with a mind sliver combo. I realize its save or suck and the target has future saving throws if it takes damage. But given the options available I love it!

[@John-xd9wr]

I'm playing an Assimar AM Sorcerer with one level in Light cleric for the defense. I just got level 6 in Sorcerer, and I'm about to hit 7. levels 6, 7, and 8 all feel really great on this build :) I may suggest the Slaad option on this spell so you can add to the already OP madness that is your martial buddies all getting opportunity attacks on things you hit with Dissonant Whispers, which you can now do using just a sorcery point thanks to level 6. Edit: also dont forget that a bloodwell vial, even just a normal +1, replenishes 5 sorcerery points on a short rest, once per day. That is HUGE on any sorcerer build, but its really big on AM.

[@SpiderWaffle]

15:00 And you should be able to get a Bloodwell Vial for 5 more sorc points.

[@tawumpas]

Good afternoon Chris, Enjoying this one since it covered the mechanics very effectively. Would enjoy seeing backstory concept videos in the future. Focusing on the backgrounds and classes that don't subclass till level 3 hasn't been touched on and a lot of content has updated races (but I know you cover those independently; I've watched &/ listened!! I do podcast the show!!). Bard is just tough to write for in my opinion before level 1 and really takes its shine at 3. Paladins as well! I am looking at a centaur creation bard, but table agreed no fey traits due to spells being effected.

[@collinkelch7764]

Like most summoning it comes online late, but this is another fun concept. The summon aberration is the new summon that I want to play with the most.

[@memaxNOTyoumax]

The stunned condition can be healed using the outer planes shard (lawful) - a magic item only attunable by sorcerers. In terms of character building options, I believe you're right that Power Word Heal is the only way to do it.

[@TyranusRex721]

I think Summon Draconic Spirit is also a good option on this character and technically thematic too. Plus you can spice up the summoning every now and again.

[@vincentvindevogel2368]

Love the passive agressive percentage

[@silverling90210]

While the 18th level feature (warping implosion) isnt great, there are some use cases i feel. Remember that you are flying with the 14th level feature, so what you could do is fly above some enemies, use an action for warping implosion, potentially pulling them into the air towards you and making them take fall damage. Then, when you've teleported away you can quicken a leveled AOE spell on the bunched up enemies. Still not the most efficient, but very fun. Bonus style points for using Gravity Sinkhole, throwing them into the air AGAIN (DM has to approve you taking this spell tho).

[@3phemaral]

Aberrant Mind! This subclass was the reason I played a sorcerer for the first time. I was wondering why you showcased a necromancer and not this sorcerer. My build and tactics are almost the same as you describe with the following exceptions…which, honestly, aren’t really differences so much as a choice between two good options. Hexblade 1/Eldritch Adept(Agonizing Blast) at L1: cheezy? Yup. But, the key features of this build come mid Tier 2 (6-9th level). I realize this delays that by another level…but my group typically plays with pretty slow advancement after level 3…there was going to be a lot of play to be casting mage armor and maybe also shield…at lower levels that can be nearly all your slots. Also, at 1-2nd, I’m probably casting sleep. You have so few slots that keeping Hex up isn’t competing for concentration. Hex doesn’t really become a liability until you’re 4/3/2 on spell slots. At that point, cantrip use goes down and It would be mind sliver more often to give another character a better chance to land an effect later in the round. This choice is definitely one I wouldn’t make if a campaign was starting at 5th level or something. But, if you start a level 1…my build doesn’t work if I die before I get to psionic sorcery. One thing people often don’t mention is that medium armor proficiency is very useful as camouflage/misdirection. If my character is in armor w/sword&board he doesn’t look like a glass cannon spell caster. Our party Paladin would introduce me as his squire. This synergies well with psionic sorcery - nobody expects the guy taking care of the horse is casting a spell. The two of us played this ruse constantly…to the extent that we had NPC allies and sponsors that never realized I wasn’t the squire…at least, they never let on if they did. Telekinesis at Sorc4: I really love this feat and might take it even if it didn’t come with a +1 ASI. An invisible mage hand with 60’ range turns out to be really useful for causing fights and confusion, on top of all the “I’m avoiding the radioactive trap” utility. The push-pull ability reads as really limited. But, it is a pretty solid way of getting out of melee and a very reliable way of getting another character out of melee, presuming an advantageous turn order. Also, I focused on Extend and Twin as well, so I didn’t have the sorcery points to Quicken frequently enough to feel like my bonus action was being overtaxed. In circumstances where the party has a chance to reconnoiter, if the adversaries turn out to be not-resistant/immune to nonmagical damage, the Slaad is also really useful as a skirmisher/distraction. You direct it into melee until it takes a couple of hits, then pull it away and let it regenerate. I had one last through three encounters and part of a fourth. I didn’t add up the damage it took, but over 10 melee attacks were directed against it over those encounters. That is what I think is key more than damage delt. Anyway…so happy to see this build. Originally, I had planned for my character to be a creepy psychic spymaster. But, when I got to the level Summon comes up…I just cast it and then kept casting. I was never really a “pet” player. My Wizard always had a familiar, but that was for reconnaissance - I seldom used them in combat. But, if you summon a beholderkin or slaad…yeah, there isn’t a PETA equivalent for aberrations.

[@lordminsc24]

Your confusion got me for just long enough to think "Oooo, is this actually a summon draconic spirit build then?" Still a very cool character regardless!

[@justthecraft]

Dragon Casualty from Curse of Strahd is a "Slave of a dragon" Background Reads as Follows: "When the Maimed Virulence descended upon Phlan, you were one of the unfortunate casualties of war. Captured during the initial assault, you have spent the last year of your life as a plaything of a capricious and malevolent overlord. While many of your fellow prisoners fell to the dragon's insatiable fury over the coming months, you and your fellow "survivors" were spared only for a worse fate as one of the dragon's magical experiments, leaving you and those who survived the torture scarred and disfigured. What reasons the dragon had for releasing you few survivors, nobody knows. You only fear that those who died under his terrible claw were the lucky ones, and you and your fellow Dragon scarred are doomed for a fate worse than death."

[@theresnoracelikegnome]

Outer Essence Shard (Lawful) can end the Stunned condition.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

Ohhh, I didn't even consider there might be a magic item that ends the stunned condition.

[@theresnoracelikegnome]

@@TreantmonksTemple yeah. As far as I can tell, it’s fairly unique in that capacity.

[@Adurnis]

SPOILER FOR THE 9TH LEVEL PICK If you want to get a creature with a low INT save to succeed against psychic scream, you can cast bless on them, or just the resistance cantrip. Might take a while, and you might have to combine them, but it is possible; you don't need to expend a wish on it.

[@kclubok]

Bardic inspiration can also help.

[@Wouldyoukindly4545]

Can the Aberration make opportunity attacks? You can cast Dissonant Whispers at an enemy in melee range and force them to take an AoO. Also, if you do take a Hexblade dip, the Aberration would take advantage of your curse.

[@cattiston374]

IIRC all creatures can do basic options unless stated otherwise uwu, so yeah! Also great to order the Slaad/Starspawn to grapple someone! It has a decent 16 STR

[@dlingeman1]

I’m glad we got another summoner! I thought we were only getting two since it had been a while since the last video.

[@scorpiovenator_4736]

I am using a Changling Aberrant mind sorcerer and they are crazy

[@tushinlungerjhider853]

Friendship ended with Pack Tactics Draconic Cry is my new best friend.

[@pugking4518]

There is one spell that I would highly recommend taking if you are playing as a aberrant mind sorcerer and that is vortex this spell is very useful for getting your party out of a sticky situations or putting them in situations that will give them the maximum benefit in and out of combat

[@leckwall7890]

Spell Breaker from the Cleric's Arcana Domain would be able to end the stunned condition from a spell. It would require a 9th level healing spell though.

[@logan9189]

Moving on! Good stuff

[@MrDoubleYa]

Anyone figure out how to swap psychic spells in dndbeyond? BTW, this is a great build.

[@HaloFTW2408]

This would be my (slightly) alternative build: Kobold Aberrant Mind Sorcerer 19/Forge Domain Cleric 1 26 Str 9 21 Dex 13->14 14 Con 14 14 Int 8 9 Wis 13 ->14 0 Char 15->17 ->18 ->20 Feats: Fey Touched (4th), Res (Wis) (9th), Metamagic Adept (13th), +2 Char (17th), Your Pick Here (20th). With the 1 level Forge Dip at 8th, you get proficiency in all armor & shields. Assuming you can get your hands on some Half-Plate & a shield, and use your Blessing of the Forge ability on your armor, you have an AC of 20 (25 with shield). Importantly, you don't lose any spell progression or access to any feats (you retain all 5). Flavor wise, I imagine you were the forger of the Kobolds, melting down ore the others mined into precious items for your draconic overlord (so take Smiths tools as one of your background's proficincies). When you escape their influence and get out into the world, maybe you hear the call of a god of creation, who is maybe trying to free you from the aberrant influence you find yourself under. Optimization wise, I think Peace Cleric is a better pick, but thematically I don't think it fits. An alternative to Forge is Order. You could have been an enforcer, and now you want to instill order everywhere you go (even if that order isn't very pleasant). The Voice of Authority feature won't work on the Beholderkin variant, but you could combine it with the Slaad, using healing word to grant it another attack while giving it more hit points in addition to its regeneration. This seems like it'd be useful in niche circumstances, but I do like the flavor of it. Finally, you could go Sorcerer 18/Cleric 2 to get Channel Divinity & (more importantly) Harness Divine Power. At level 8-13, you can get a 2nd level spell slot back, & at 13-20 you can get a 3rd level back. This can be turned into more sorcery points to give you more Meta Magic/Psionic spells.

[@Herderus]

So, what's baseline warlock dpr increse with Draconic Cry over baseline? It would only seem fair to me comparing both builds on advantage :)

[@foolycoolytheband]

Are you planning on doing anymore of these summoning builds? I'd love to see a more martially capable summoner who gets into the melee with their summons

[@carlswan8005]

I played a melee build wildfire druid that used a combination of their wildfire spirit and summon beast to very good effect in melee combat.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

This is the last one for this series. I may revisit summoning again in the future though.

[@foolycoolytheband]

@@TreantmonksTemple please do, this was a really fun set of videos

[@cattiston374]

Oh yeah I’m already playing an Aberrant Mind Harengon in CoS, hope this video helps

[@ArticleNoun]

Comment for the algorithm. I’m really looking forward to this video.

[@79AlienFinger79]

Revivify gets rid of the stun condition as well, and the prep work is like shooting fish in a barrel.

[@ThreeOttersInATrenchcoat]

So I've been wondering about something: it seems that more and more tables are embracing the rework to summoning spells, and banning chaotic, problematic spells like Conjure Animals et al. Are Shepherd Druids dead in the water? It seems like Summon Beast and Summon Fey just don't offer enough to really build around.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

Shepherd druids are really designed to function with the older spells. If a player wants to play a shepherd druid and use the summoning spells, they should probably have a one on one with their DM to discuss some homebrew. I know if I'm your DM I would be happy to facilitate a more table friendly shepherd druid concept.

[@mirkofraccastoro7573]

If I was doing the build I'd be taking the 2 lvl hexblade dip for sure, at witch point I would probably prefer a more defensive race/one that lets me get an extra feat to then take another good one later/generally be ahead and get 20 Cha sooner as we can quickne eldritch blast as BA, would boost the dpr of this build to at least 40% over baseline I assume (please someone tell me exact numbers if you have them). It adds 5 to 20 damage just by using Eldritch blast instead of firebolt based on level, then if you quicken it another 1d10+5 up to 4 times, also medium armor real early should boost ac by quite a bit.

[@milanmarkovic2721]

I got a similar character. Dhampir Kobold AM sorcerer(was a subject of Illithilich's experiments). Vampiric climb ability + psionic sorcery + Enemies Abound is a great thing and smth DM never expected.

[@koreanbbq2376]

I feel like draconic warcry with the 18th level aberrant mind feature could be good, fly in at the start of combat, warcry then bamf out

[@meachamator101]

crown of stars but flavor them as glowing eyeballs

[@BunkinBranding]

This sarcasm is on a whole new level :)

[@minikawildflower]

Wow, I didn't think Psychic Scream sounded THAT great until Chris explained that the stun mechanic has no duration. That's pretty damn thematic, you just stun them and they're done lol

[@undrhil]

I thought the level 6 feature required using sorcery points instead of spells lots to cast the cyanic spells? So wouldn't casting it and extending it cost 8 points which you cannot do at level 7?

[@elliotbryant3459]

? a 4th level spell costs 4 points to psionic cast +1 to extend. At level 7 you have 7 points and can restore them by dissolving lower level slots. Twinning would cost 8 [4 to cast & 4 to twin] and could be accomplished at that level if you've taken the metamagic adept feat [or by just regular casting with the slot if you don't have the full points budget]

[@b-you-tube]

Thanks for the build, love the use of Draconic Cry Could you please add this video to your Sorcerer builds playlist?

[@stephenhenderson6143]

I really want a conjurer build. They're supposed to be the summoner of d&d but I can't figure out how to make them work. Please help.

[@davidratcliffe3039]

This has been a great little mini series on summoning, thank you. I have a question, but it is purely for clarification. When you say, for example, that here is a 55% chance to hit and a 5% chance to crit, does this mean the overall chance to hit is 60%?

[@studynot757]

THIS is such a fun build concept. The backstory idea for it is great, though not sure how it escaped the elder brain dragon colony to become an adventurer 🤣🤣 Also love the idea of riding the beholderkin because small…Draconic cry from the back of a beholderkin HAS to be worth some morale checks right?

[@cogumancer]

Psionic sorcery made almost infinity silvary barbs OMG LOL you can use 8 times if you have 4.. 1st lvl slots

[@Psychoveliatonet]

Ngl the start of the video made me think you were about to announce a collab with Pack Tactics

[@Blossom_Nova]

Noticed you took Resilient DEX over Resilient WIS on your Necromancer build too. Seems a little out of character for you to leave your WIS saves in the dust Not knocking the build though! I love Aberrant Mind Sorcerer and this is good fun 😊 Also "We have to cast these spells with components. Like a CHUMP" took me tf out hahaha

[@purpleniumowlbear2952]

Didn’t Treantmonk use multi-target damage to calculate DPR vs baseline for the Double Phantom Rogue? I could be remembering this wrong.

[@elliotbryant3459]

the opportunity costs for a late game 3 level fighter dip is pretty pricey. Costs you up to 3 points [and 4 per sr if you had gone sorc 20], an ASI and a 5th, 6th and 7th level slot.

[@olorin6494]

Hope to see maybe a bard summoner down the line. So far the summons have been about damage and I’d love to see a summoner build focusing on tanking with a summon. Maybe using abjuration wizard

[@reesebenson3215]

“Actually” in most engineering and scientific professions the concept of Sognificant figures is comman place. Those extra figures are insignificant so you are doing the math more correctly in a sense lol. I used to get some problems wrong in college for not using Signicant figures in my calc.

[@TheMichaellathrop]

What about Starting with a fighter dip at first level before going to Sorcerer until 18 so that you start with heavy armor and shield proficiencys? I get that it would hurt your damage against baseline on alternating levels with your leveled spell casting especially with your summons but your proficiency and and cantrips would still scale normally.

[@SilvrSavior]

You know what would be a flavorful but tough build. A mute caster. Obviously Aberrant Mind Sorcerer would be the easiest way to play this style of character, but it would be a great way to self limit what you can do with a caster.

[@jcdenton2187]

It would be so cool! I'd take Telepathic on the build at some point just so that you can still communicate with your party

[@SilvrSavior]

@@jcdenton2187 Aberrant Mind get's a telepathy feature at 1 that allows for a 1on1 chat.

[@lankarddkl8722]

I just watched the entire series about summoning builds and I agree 100% with you about the problems of Conjure Animals/Fey and Animate Dead. The 3 builds presented are fun, efficient and strong but don't break the game. A question: at the start of the 2nd video you also mentioned Summon Fey as good, but since this is the last video I suppose you won't release a build about it? You probably know already of this, but a powerful way to use Summon Fey is to choose the Tricksy option and go Ranger Gloomstalker 3: with Umbral Sight you are invisible in the darkness created, granting you advantage on atks and this way the Fey can teleport away after attacking the enemy. You could go simply Ranger Gloomstalker 9, but I think is better Warlock (Hexblade probably) 5 Pact of the Blade / Ranger Gloomstalker 3-4, Elf/Half-Elf as race to take Elven accuracy, Sharpshooter and this way you can have Magic Stone to give the Fey a ranged magical attack when needed. Even if this is really good, I will never play it because I think the Umbral sight trait is overpowered and many dm don't even allow it, but maybe someone will find it interesting.

[@johnhume1]

Assuming you mean to have Tricksy drop the darkness on yourself. Tricksy's darkness is magical. Doesn't that mean Darkvision doesn't work?

[@lankarddkl8722]

@@johnhume1 yep that is how it would work. There is an errata where it is stated that if it is not specified (like for the Darkness spell) darkvision works in magical darkness. Going 5 lvl in warlock gives you the option to take Devil's Sight as an invocation anyway.

[@Seraphim_MTG]

I know you said you're done with summoning, but I'm interested in your take on a Bladesinger that summons. I used a similar build to your Sword of Complicated and with the summoning spells you get excellent damage output with a fantastic plan B of just-wizard-stuff.

[@carlswan8005]

I recently played a Blade Singer in Decent into Avernus that used Summon Fey a lot and it was very effective.

[@jgsugden]

For the highest levels, I disagree that fighter is a good path. That action surge is great, but you really want to get that extra 6th level slot at 19 for an additional high level cast of the summon. TO that end, bard, cleric or wizard or even druid are preferable to me. Bard gives you a +3 bonus to initiative with Jack of All Trades as well as some nice bardic inspiration to get an extra hit here or there = as well as some healing options. Cleric (Tempest would be my pick) gives you access to healing, some first level rituals, and one or two juicy abilities that can really give you a nice bump up in damage gere or there. A Wildfire Druid may fit thematically with the flavor of aberration you select as your thematic contributor, and taking the wildfire spirit along with your beholderkin into the air can give it some protection, as well as give it some short term teleportation (in addition to giving you healing, a few ritual spells, etc...). Wizard gives you a chance to (if planned out correctly) swap out all of those first level defensive spells that fill up your spells known and replace them with higher power sorcerer spells. If you're going to grab a level of wizard, I suggest doing it early as it gives you that spell freedom which is a huge deal for sorcerers from a low level - even for aberrant mind sorcerers. If I were going to go Aberrant Mind again, my 2nd level would be wizard 1.

[@elliotbryant3459]

that wizard tip is big brain mode. I always forget that 1 wizard level can be thought of as 3+ high level sorcerer spell choices.

[@morganpetros9635]

Love the build, but I do have one comment: Fire Bolt may be the only cantrip that can *attack* objects,. but it isn't necessarily the only way to *damage* them. Create Bonfire also "ignites flammable objects in its area that aren't being worn or carried." While this is a clearly inferior option to Fire Bolt and I'd never take it as a sorcerer, it makes Create Bonfire my second choice for druid cantrips, right behind Thorn Whip ... or possibly as a replacement for Shillelagh at 4th level.

[@geoffreyperrin4347]

I find it annoying that most summon "x" spells at 3rd level are so dark and feel evil (outside of summon fey, but even then you may not want a fey for a concept). I find most of the summons I was are 4th level

[@johngleeman8347]

Stunned forever! >:D

[@JoseLeit]

You don't like Incite Greed for a 3rd level switch out option? Not as strong as hypnotic pattern, of course, but it can still be an effective control spell. It has a couple advantages many other control spells don't, in that there is no friendly fire, and it adds forced movement. As long as the caster has teleportation, it can be awfully fun to bring a group of enemies into a clump so the wizard can surround them in a wall of force, drop a fireball on them, etc. It's also pretty funny to have a group of enemies just wandering around the battlefield following the sorcerer like pets.

[@TreantmonksTemple]

I generally ignore Aquisitions Incorporated, just not a fan of that book

[@SpiderWaffle]

For 3rd level I like Catnap and Clairvoyance.

[@GeminiLibra73]

Mage Armor was actually a subclass feature in the UA. Miss it...

[@mattf5935]

I would be interested to hear you expand on the idea that “if you need to spread the damage around to be over baseline then you do not need exceed baseline.” Just by way of an extreme example, if baseline is 30 and you do 28 damage with an area of effect attack and you would expect half the time to hit multiple targets with an average of 3 targets then why would you not consider that to exceed baseline? I do get the idea that AOE and single target attacks are difficult to compare but I think your statement might be overreaching to the extent you are going to compare them at all.

[@orleanswarrior1834]

Hey treantmonk what videos of yours should I recommend for new players who just want to fell more effective in battle and don't know much about the game yet. what is a good video for optimizing starters that doesn't necessarily focus on a single class

[@TreantmonksTemple]

Hmmm, I don't know if I really have one (beyond "multiclassing basics") maybe I'll make one.

[@orleanswarrior1834]

@@TreantmonksTemple that would be amazing

[@michaelhorvath5254]

I played a sorlock (AMS/HBW) with EB/AB got bracers of the Illusionist. So round one quicken summon beholder kin/EB then it's machine gun time.

[@Zynovus]

I have a similar kobold summoner build with hexblade 1/lore bard X, where I can have animated dead, greater steed, conjure animals(or animated object later) :P

[@scottbourret1190]

Would be interested to see you start a series on creating characters based off those from various book series or stand alone novels.

[@briegroncal1551]

I absolutely love this summoner series! A shame that it is ending because I thought you would do something with the fey wanderer ranger... 👀 Maybe some levels into land Druid (plains) to get haste so you can attack on the same turn you summon?

[@micahswerens2472]

Haste is also concentration.

[@briegroncal1551]

@@micahswerens2472 the tenth level feature for fey wanderer allows for casting summon fey without concentration at the cost of a reduced duration. Haste would work well with this cause if you have a feature like crossbow expert or pole arm master, then you are good!

[@radomirkesl3399]

I really expected a double summon with chronurgy

[@Commodore468]

I hope one D&D just changes all the conjure spells so they are like the Tasha’s summon spells instead

[@nuckinfutzsf822]

Try D&D 3.5 then 😅