This topic should probably not be in the T-engine 4 ideas forum which is not module specific. Instead it should be in the ToME 4 ideas forum where it would get a wider audience.
Aquillion wrote:
I've heard a lot of people say that they find summoners boring to play. I wonder if there's a way to fix that.
Some thoughts:
More ranged attacks that can pass through your summons. Perhaps even give them a locked nature-based ranged combat tree that includes a passive that grants that to slings and bows. Maybe grant more attack inscriptions the ability to ignore allies -- especially poison ones, since they're an infusion and naturally fit with the class.
This is a decent idea, either a ranged debuffing attack or a relatively weak ranged attack (a bit like the alchemists channel staff, perhaps) to provide an option besides summoning every turn. Bear in mind that summoners are one of the easiest classes right now and don't need an overall buff, which would probably make them more boring.
Aquillion wrote:
Honestly, increasing the duration on most summons might also be a good idea -- ...
The resilience talent accomplishes this quite well.
Aquillion wrote:
Maybe an expensive sustain (or one that raises the costs of your summons rather than being expensive) that causes an effect when you summon something, centered or targeted on that summon, with different effects for each one? Some could be blasts (a blast of pinning webs when you summon the spider, the slime healing every nearby ally, the turtle giving nearby allies a defensive buff), some could be beams or cones from your summon in that direction (eg. a blast of random elements when summoning the hydra), etc. All of them would never harm friendlies, since otherwise they'd be more annoying than anything else.
You seem to be describing the Grand Arrival talent here. Do you think it needs to be enhanced?
BoomFrog wrote:
1) Your mqin character automatically meditates regaining equilibrium ect, but he cannot act or move. This doesnt put meditate on cooldown. Maybe gets some defensive buff and also you can still see with his vision so you know if he's getting attacked. Or some other clear way to monitor your summoner if he's around the corner.
2) Limit range to avoid 100% safe exploring. If your controlee moves more than 5 spaces from the summoner then the summoner follows.
You can control both of these things by specifying talent priorities for your main character while controlling one of your summons - right click and select give order (or hit ctrl-F1) and change the leash distance and leash anchor as needed (maybe this could be changed to default to the controlled character) and select the tactical talents usage option to specify what talents you want your main character to use when you're not controlling it.