What's your favorite summoning spell?

[thejeff]

There's also a big difference between thug/SC summons and mage summons. Though some fall into both categories.

Any mage you can summon that gets you paths you don't have or higher levels in paths you do have is invaluable. In other games where you've already got those paths, they may not even be worth summoning. Or you can summon them for use as thugs, but not care as much

[sector24]

Belphegor is my favorite summon (Bind Demon Lord). But for non-unique summons, I'm a Wraith Lord kind of guy.

[Ironhawk]

Yeah I like the Harbinger too. Cheap, effective, and looks cool too.

[MaxWilson]

Wraith Lord. I'm a sucker for immortality, and with Soul Vortex they're thuggable even when naked. Add a Shadow Brand, a Luck Shield, and Winged Boots and you're golden.

-Max

[Wrana]

For thug commanders I will also vote for Wraith Lord. Though I also like Air Queens. Spectral Mage is excellent to provide access to any paths. Faerie Queen is invaluable as it provides healing.
As for troops I liked Pale Riders until they were moved to higher research level. Another good troop are Claymen I think. Iron Dragon at higher levels.
And - currently - Buried in the Ice!! Even troopers are almost thugs, while shamans have good path access & may be turned into very good thugs indeed. Not ethereal, though.. But this mass of good troops is worthy just the same..

[Tyrant]

Troops: Banefire Archers and Crushers
General Leader: Bane Lord
National Leader: Angel of Wrath

[Agema]

As a general rule, I find the national summons rather better than the all-access summons for the gem cost, although they aren't necessarily the best summons.

Personally I love Sea King's court. They're certainly far superior to the Earth magic landlubber troll court. The sea trolls are only mediocre fighters and weakly armoured, but their huge HP and regeneration make them hard to kill. The Sea King himself is not only a great thug, but has W3 and spawns W gems.

As I see it, you get 20 trolls easily worth a gem apiece, and the remaining 35 is a fair cost for an magic level 3 thug-quality mage, a harbinger being comparable.

[JimMorrison]

But ye get no meese!

[sum1lost]

Mandahas for sheer battlefield brutality.

I also LOVE faire court for branching out magically, although lamia queens are pretty damn good for this too.

[Slobby]

moundfiends!