Summon Creature Casting Time: Why?

[Cogniac]

The Summon Creature magery spell takes an inordinate amount of time to cast, especially considering it is mostly a novelty spell. The Blade Spirits spell is the same way, only with marginally more usefulness.

I remember that the 8th circle summons spells also used to have an incredibly long casting time, but this was changed due to the fact that so many people wanted to simultaneously cast them and not fly into a blind rage over the ridiculous casting time that was completely negating any shred of remunerative qualities they possessed.

So the question is: Why was this change never implemented for Summon Creature or Blade Spirits? These are not exactly the sorts of spells that would become overpowering by having normal casting times. And as I pointed out, there are far more powerful and useful summoning spells that can be cast more quickly *coughEnergyVortexcoughcough*.


So consider this a petition to do one of two things:

1. Change the casting time for Summon Creature and Blade Spirits down to the normal amount for their circle, or
2. Increase the casting time of all other summon spells to exorbitant, ridiculous amounts, because answering the question of "What's up with the crazy casting time on Summon Creature and Blade Spirits?" with "It's because they're summon spells stfu." doesn't make any sense when there are 6 other summon spells that don't take anywhere near that long to cast. Either they all take forever to cast, or they all don't.

 

[Bomb Bloke]

I sorta figured the Blade Spirits cast time made sense, on the basis that it's a really powerful spell considering the amount of skill you need to cast it.

That is to say, any newbie (given the right direction) can be using it to kick buttock within about an hour of starting the game. Of course, once you're out of the "newbie" skill level ranges, you don't really need to use the spell anymore, so the casting time doesn't matter.

Summon Creatures? Meh, never really had cause to use it. If anything, I'd vote to have it changed to only summon ridable animals.

 

[Zodia]

If I remember correctly, the Summon Animals casting time was extended to cut down on griefing. People were summoning dozens of animals in quick succession and this was to prevent that. It was being used for other tricks too I won't go into.

And yeah, the Blades Spirits was because at the level of magery needed to cast it, it is very powerful so this was added to mute that somewhat. Not that it matters in today's game where GM Magery is attained in a day with your -29 wand and 100% LRC suit.

So yeah, change the BS one to a shorter time.
As for the Summon Animal, I'd like a menu to select what animal I'd like (like Ninja animal form). And the time could be reduced a bit too.

 

[LordDrago]

Actually, the casting times are pretty much right on to IRL casting times (proportionally speaking).

EV's are just constrained energy, and blade spirits are simply energy enfused matter. However, to actually pull energy form the ethereal and transform that energy into living matter is no small feat and does take more time and a lot more concentration IRL. I can't tell you how many times I have been summoning a creature when the microwave dings and I hurry up the casting (because I can't resist my Hot Pockets), and I end up with an eagle with two left wings, a catdog, or a horse with the tail and head reversed.

 

[Basara]

Snotty: [realizing that President Skroob's head is on backwards] Geezbeasties! What's happened to his head?
Commanderette Zircon: [disgusted] It's on backwards!