A summoner or spawner class or monster, is capable of using magical spells, or spell-like abilities, to conjure or spawn some sort of monster or NPC as a "pet" that fight or perform some sort of task for the summoner. A summoner monster or class is generally also considered a caster.
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Summoner Classes
In Diablo III, the following classes are considered "summoner" classes:
- Witch Doctor - Spell caster with some random bits thrown in for ranged and close combat, and a few "summoning" spells to spawn "pets"
- Other classes - Many players are expecting some sort of additional "pet class" to be announced by Blizzard.
The Wizard will be able to summon a Hydra to protect her, but it's not really considered a summoned pet.
Old Summoner Classes
In Diablo II, there is primarily one summoner class:
- Necromancer - Pure caster. Calls corpses or inanimate objects army to fight for him. Also uses spells.
The Amazon can summon a Valkyrie, if she has gone down the right skill tree, but it's not the Amazon's primary function to summon creatures.
In Diablo I, all classes could summon a Golem or a Hydra but those spells are not really considered a summoned pet.
Summoner Type Monsters
Monsters that can summon reinforcements are also called "summoners" or "spawners". Their selection of summons varies, and they are usually also casters. Here are a few examples of summoner monsters:
- Skeletal Summoner - Archtypical summoner caster. Summons regular Skeletons, and hides behind them while casting ranged spells.
- Dark Cultist - Can cast a Firebolt type spell, and summon Dark Demons for assistance.
- Grotesque - Not a caster, and more a "spawner" than a summoner. When killed, he spawns a swarm of Lamprey.
- Fallen Shaman - A respawner. Will not summon or spawn monsters, but will resurrect killed Fallen.