Conjure Elemental, Conjure what else?

[crookedrook]

I want to add two new spells to my game. Probably more eventually, but for now I just want to add two.

Conjure Gargoyle and Conjure Shadow.

Now, for the most part, I figure I'm just going to be cribbing from Conjure Elemental, but I'm not sure what level to set these at. I mean, if I was absolutely sure my PCs would never get a hold of them, it wouldn't matter, but in case I am overwhelmed by generosity, I was wondering what folks thought a good method of gauging the level would be. I was thinking of calculating the XP value of the elementals, and adjusting the levels of my new spells based on that. But, Conjure Elemental is fifth available at ninth? I'm not so where Shadow and Gargoyle should fall before that... Certainly no sooner than third, right?

I'm rambling; I guess I'm just wondering who else has created new Conjure [monster] spells based on the Conjure Elemental spell, and wondering about your method and how successful they were.

[Blood axe]

Maybe base it on the Monster Summoning spells ?

The Illusionist spell- Summon Shadow is Level-5. But I think its pretty powerful for a Level 5 spell, since it summons several.

Both creatures can only be harmed by magic weapons- thats pretty powerful. The gargoyl has more HD and can fly, but the Shadow can drain STR. and can surprise.

[elf23]

Another factor to bear in mind with conjure elemental is that it is quite a risky spell, in that the elemental can turn on the caster. The monster summoning spells, for example, don't have that risk.

I did recently work out a spell that allows a magic-user to summon various "elemental kin" (like salamanders, xorn, efreeti, etc), and I remember using the monsters' XP ratings, rather than their Hit Dice, as the guide to what caster level they should be summonable at. The reason was that a monster's XP value takes into account all of its special abilities, not just its hit point potential / combat level. However, unfortunately, I can't remember what system I used (if any) to correlate the XP values to caster level.

[crookedrook]

Another factor to bear in mind with conjure elemental is that it is quite a risky spell, in that the elemental can turn on the caster. The monster summoning spells, for example, don't have that risk.

I did recently work out a spell that allows a magic-user to summon various "elemental kin" (like salamanders, xorn, efreeti, etc), and I remember using the monsters' XP ratings, rather than their Hit Dice, as the guide to what caster level they should be summonable at. The reason was that a monster's XP value takes into account all of its special abilities, not just its hit point potential / combat level. However, unfortunately, I can't remember what system I used (if any) to correlate the XP values to caster level.

Yes. Risk is exactly what I have in mind, and it is enough for me to know that someone used that method and found it satisfactory! Thanks!