[RPG] the actual casting time of Summon Monster

pathfinder-1espells

I'm having a hard time interpreting the 'actual casting time' for Summon Monster in Pathfinder.

The casting time is listed as 1 round, but then in the text they go on to say:

It appears where you designate and acts immediately, on your turn.

Because of the inclusion of the words 'acts immediately' I'm unclear if the Summoned Monster appears and is attacking during the round the spell is being cast, or after you are finished casting the spell at the top the next round.

Best Answer

It appears, and acts, when you cast the spell. You don’t finish casting the spell until a round after you start. So that is when it appears, and when it acts.

Before you finish casting the spell, it isn’t there yet, so no one can attack it or anything (and it can’t act).

This also means any other choices you make regarding the spell (e.g. the specific monster you summon, where you place it) do not get made until you cast the spell, either. So you start to cast summon monster, and assuming all goes well, you finish it the next round and get to put a monster of your choice (off the appropriate list) wherever you like, and have it do whatever.