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Summoner

召喚士 · Summoner — A commander-type mage who calls forth beings to battle

The summoner calls beings from other dimensions or realms to fight alongside them — a commander-type mage. Rather than fighting directly, they're strategists who direct spirits, demons, angels, magical beasts, and summoned creatures into battle. Social skills, contract negotiation, and leadership matter more than for regular mages, with some dedicating their entire lives to bonding with powerful summons. Final Fantasy summoners (especially FF10's Yuna) are the most popular archetype, with variants in D&D's Conjurer, Diablo's Necromancer, and WoW's Warlock pet system. Even mythology features such figures, as Indra of Indian myth commands the Marut host.

Origin

Evolved from the fusion of ancient animistic beliefs and magical theory. King Solomon's legend of summoning 72 demons is the Western archetype; in the East, Shikigami summoning arts (式神術) serve the same role.

Features

Contracting a wide variety of summons — spirits, familiars, souls of designated heroes, and more
Commander-style combat operating multiple summons simultaneously
Supplying mana to summons to enhance their abilities
Top-tier summoners can summon dragon or divine beast-class entities

Usage

Dominates the front line with a summon army in large-scale combat. A 'one-person army' style capable of fighting entire forces alone.