JT's quick guide to Shadow Conjuration

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For most summoning spells, caster level doesn't matter. When your sorcerer reaches level 30, he will get the same beetles and goblins from Summon Monster 1 that he got at level one. Notoriously, pre-nerf Animate Dead broke this rule; at higher caster levels it gave exceedingly powerful undead creatures. Shadow Conjuration, Greater Shadow Conjuration, and Shades are similar to Animate Dead; as the caster gains levels, better shadow monsters are summoned. Eventually, they will yield more powerful summons than every spell except Gate.

The only difference between the three spells in the Shadow Conjuration family (there is also a spell named Summon Shadow; it is rather bad, and won't be discussed further here) is the HP of the shadow creature summoned - 20%, 40%, or 60% of the creature's normal HP. But in HoF all monsters, including summons, get an enormous HP boost, and this boost is *not* reduced to 20%, 40%, or 60%. The monsters summoned will thus have nearly as many HP as if they were not shadowy regardless of which spell you use. Shadow creatures always do the same damage and have the same abilities as the original monsters they are based on.

The shadow monsters summoned depend on caster level (as usual, levels in other classes don't count). For each monster, I've indicated another spell which could also produce it:

7-11: Salamander (SM 5), Yeti (SM 5)
12-16: Cyclops (SM 8), Scrag (SM 7), Umber Hulk (SM 6)
17-21: Frost Giant (SM 9), Greater Werewolf (SM 9), Red Abishai (SM 8)
22-26: Greater Feyr (SM 9), Remorhaz (SM 9)
27-30: Cornugon (Cacofiend 7), Glabrezu (Summon Fiend 8)

Notes:

-Cacofiend and Summon Fiend only last 15 rounds, and aren't controllable, so the shadow versions are clearly better.
-The JUPP claims that level 27 Shades will summon a Gelugon (the Gate demon), but it is incorrect.
-If you have the level 40 patch installed, the summons might improve again at level 32 and level 37.

 

I have a question about Animate Dead. On level 18 it can create Apocaliptic Boneguard. I don't know any better undead, so what would Animate Dead summon on levels higher that 18 (for example 30)?

 

If Animate Dead is making Apocalyptic Boneguards, you are running the unpatched version. You should upgrade -- although there are still many bugs and imbalances in patch, there are a lot less.

To find out what unpatched level 30 Animate Dead makes, turn on the cheat console and give your cleric 500 000 exp (save first obviously).

 

nice guide, thanks!