Overview of Summoning Spells in Divinity: Original Sin II

Summoning in Divinity: Original Sin II (DOS 2) serves as a specialized combat ability that allows players to conjure allies, specifically Incarnates and Totems, to enhance their tactical options in battle. These summoned entities are not just temporary distractions; they are formidable allies capable of contributing significantly to the player’s strategy by adapting to various combat environments and gaining boosts from the Summoning skill.

Key Summoning Spells and How They Work

1. Conjure Incarnate:
– This is the core Summoning ability, allowing players to summon an Incarnate. The unique aspect of the Incarnate is its adaptability; it gains elemental powers based on the surface it is summoned onto, such as a Water Incarnate when summoned on water surfaces. This makes it a versatile combatant tailored to the environment.

2. Elemental Totem:
– This spell generates a stationary totem that unleashes elemental projectiles against enemies. Like the Incarnate, its elemental damage type is influenced by the surface beneath it, making it an effective area denial tool.

3. Farsight Infusion:
– This buff increases the range of the Incarnate’s attacks, allowing for strategic flexibility in target selection and positioning during combat.

4. Dimensional Bolt:
– An early-learned magical attack that provides a straightforward, non-elemental damage option, useful for dealing damage in situations where specific elemental weaknesses are not applicable.

5. Rallying Cry:
– A healing spell that restores both health and magic armor to the party and all summoned creatures. Its effectiveness scales with the number of nearby allies, including summons, making it a strong tool for sustaining your party during extended battles.

6. Dominate Mind:
– This tactical spell allows players to seize control of an enemy’s summoned creature for a limited time, effectively using their own summoned allies against them. It is particularly useful in encounters featuring other summoners, turning the tide of battle.

How Summoned Creatures Aid in Combat

Summoned creatures fulfill several essential roles in combat:

– Additional Combatants: Each summon counts as an extra member of your party, capable of drawing aggro, dealing damage, and absorbing hits that would otherwise affect your players.

– Adaptive Abilities: The ability of Incarnates and Totems to modify their attacks and resistances based on the battlefield surface allows players to craft dynamic strategies tailored to their surroundings, further enhancing combat efficacy.

– Enhanced by Summoning Skill: Points invested in the Summoning ability not only augment health and damage but also bolster the physical and magic armor of all summoned entities, enhancing their durability and threat level as the game progresses.

– Synergy with Buffs: The use of Infusions such as Farsight Infusion and other support spells can considerably bolster the effectiveness of entities, improving their survivability and damage output.

– Healing and Support: As a self-sufficient archetype, summoner-focused parties benefit greatly from healing spells like Rallying Cry, which rejuvenate both party members and summons within the area.

– Counterplay: Spells like Dominate Mind create opportunities for strategic disruption by allowing players to turn enemy summons against their original masters, creating unexpected tactical advantages.

Summoning in Broader Character Builds

Summoning is a beneficial skill not limited to dedicated summoners; it enhances the effectiveness of characters utilizing spells from other schools like Pyrokinetic, Geomancer, Necromancer, and Polymorph. This versatility allows for hybrid builds that incorporate summoning spells, making it a valuable addition to various character classes.

Summary Table: Summoning Spell Utility

| Spell | Primary Function | Combat Role | Enhanced By Surface? |
|——————–|————————————-|————————————-|———————-|
| Conjure Incarnate | Summons adaptive melee/ranged minion | Tank, DPS, Crowd Control | Yes |
| Elemental Totem | Summons stationary ranged attacker | Area denial, DPS | Yes |
| Farsight Infusion | Buffs Incarnate range | Support, Tactical Flexibility | No |
| Rallying Cry | Heals party & summons | Sustain, Counteract AoE | No |
| Dominate Mind | Controls enemy summon | Disruption, Turn Enemy Strength | No |

Conclusion

Summoning in Divinity: Original Sin II offers a rich and flexible layer of gameplay focused on creating and empowering temporary allies that adjust to combat scenarios. These summoned entities act as valuable force multipliers, enabling players to draw enemy fire, deliver damage, and enhance their tactical options—all while significantly scaling in power with investment in the Summoning skill. This makes summoning a critical component of any effective strategy, whether in a dedicated summoner build or as part of a hybrid character approach.