Summoner

Version 0.28: This article may not be up to date for the latest stable release of Crawl.

The Summoner specialises in calling creatures from this and other worlds to give assistance. Although they can at first summon only very wimpy creatures, the more advanced summoning spells allow summoners to call on such powers as elementals and demons.

Summoner is a background which relies on summonings magic in the early game, starting with a book of Callings.

Preferred Races

Deep Elf, Hill Orc, Merfolk, Tengu, Vine Stalker and Vampire are the recommended races if you pick a Summoner Background.

Starting Equipment

Some species may receive different items based on their unique restrictions.

• +0 robe

Available Spells:

• Summon Small Mammal
• Call Imp
• Call Canine Familiar
• Summon Guardian Golem
• Summon Lightning Spire

Summoners start with the Summon Small Mammal spell already memorised.

Starting Skills and Stats

These are adjusted by your species' aptitudes.

• Dodging: 2
• Stealth: 2
• Spellcasting: 2
• Summonings: 4

Choosing Summoner adds 7 to your starting Intelligence and 5 to your starting Dexterity.

Strategy

• Remember that you can summon multiple things. This can be particularly useful when faced with monsters faster or much stronger than you, who can catch up if the first summoned monster dies.
• Don't forget that you can command your summoned monsters using t, compelling them to do useful things, such as proactively moving toward your foes, attacking a different enemy or retreating when they are hurt, rather than simply waiting for hostile monsters to approach.
• Summoners need to think carefully about the offensive spells they pick up if they intend to keep relying on their summons as well. Borgnjor's Vile Clutch and Ignition are examples of spells that offer area-of-effect damage without damaging your summons.

History

• Prior to 0.28, summoned creatures took up to half of your XP, but many spells had a higher summon cap.
• Prior to 0.27, Summoners started with the book of Callings, and also had Summon Ice Beast.
• Prior to 0.15, Summoners started with 20 gold.
• Prior to 0.14, Summoners started with only 1 level of Spellcasting.