Solasta Conjure Miner Elemental Explained Creature Stats and Abilities

Summoning powerful allies to turn the tide of battle is a cornerstone of Solasta: Crown of the Magister, and few spells offer the tactical versatility of elemental conjurations. When players talk about the "Solasta Conjure Miner Elemental: Mechanics and Stats," they're often referring to the stout, earth-shaking creature known officially as the Skarn Ghoul, summoned through the Conjure Minor Elementals spell. This guide cuts through the arcane jargon to give you a clear, actionable understanding of this formidable ally, ensuring you know exactly how and when to best deploy it.

At a Glance: Your Quick Guide to the Solasta Miner Elemental (Skarn Ghoul)

• What it is: A durable, earth-based elemental creature summoned via the 4th-level spell Conjure Minor Elementals. Often nicknamed "Miner Elemental" by players due to its appearance and earthy nature.
• Key Role: Acts as a fantastic meat shield, drawing enemy aggro, blocking choke points, and providing persistent melee damage.
• Best For: Casters who need a frontline presence, a distraction, or tactical obstruction, especially early in combat.
• Core Strength: High Armor Class (AC) and Hit Points (HP) for a summoned creature of its spell level, making it surprisingly resilient.
• Caster Classes: Primarily available to Druids and Wizards.
• Concentration: Requires caster concentration for up to 1 hour; losing concentration makes the creature disappear.
• Higher Spell Slots: Casting with a 5th-level slot or higher summons additional creatures.

Unpacking the Conjure Minor Elementals Spell: Gateway to Your Earthy Ally

Before we delve into the Skarn Ghoul itself, let's lay the groundwork with the spell that brings it forth: Conjure Minor Elementals. This 4th-level Conjuration spell is a true workhorse for certain spellcasters in Solasta, offering a diverse array of summoned creatures to bolster your party.
Casting Conjure Minor Elementals requires an action, verbal (V) and somatic (S) components, and targets a point on the ground up to 18 cells away. Once cast, it lasts for up to 1 hour, provided you maintain concentration. This concentration requirement is crucial; lose focus, and your summoned friends vanish into thin air. It’s a standard summoning, concentration, and spell type, giving you immediate tactical flexibility.
Who Can Cast It?
In Solasta, Conjure Minor Elementals is a staple for both Druids and Wizards. This means these classes can leverage the spell's power to adapt to various combat scenarios, whether they need extra damage, a frontline deterrent, or just some bodies to absorb enemy attacks.
Your Elemental Choices: Beyond Just the Miner
While this guide focuses on the "Miner Elemental" (Skarn Ghoul), it's important to understand the other options Conjure Minor Elementals offers:

• Conjure 1 Skarn Ghoul: Our star, the robust earth elemental.
• Conjure 1 Wind Snake: A flying, more mobile option that often brings decent damage or unique movement.
• Conjure 2 Fire Jesters: Smaller, quicker fire elementals that can deal splash damage or provide multiple distractions.
  Each option serves a distinct tactical purpose, but the Skarn Ghoul consistently shines when durability and physical presence are paramount. Understanding these choices is key to making the most of your spell slots, helping you assess when a Skarn Ghoul is the right call versus, say, two Fire Jesters for area denial or a Wind Snake for ranged harassment.

Meet the Skarn Ghoul: Solasta's Durable "Miner Elemental"

When you choose to conjure a Skarn Ghoul, you're not just getting a creature; you're getting a walking wall of rock and muscle. This is the entity most players refer to when discussing the "Solasta Conjure Miner Elemental." Its primary function is to draw enemy fire, absorb damage, and provide a persistent threat in the melee.
Let's break down the Skarn Ghoul's core mechanics and stats, giving you a clear picture of what this stony ally brings to your team.

Skarn Ghoul Stat Block Breakdown

Understanding these numbers is crucial for tactical deployment. Here's what you can expect from your summoned Skarn Ghoul:

Abilities & Actions: What the Skarn Ghoul Does in Combat

The Skarn Ghoul is a straightforward combatant, focused on melee engagement.

• Slam (Melee Weapon Attack):
• To Hit: +5 (Strength modifier + proficiency bonus)
• Reach: 5 ft. (1 cell)
• Target: One target
• Damage: 1d8 + 3 bludgeoning damage
• This is its bread-and-butter attack. While not exceptionally high damage, it's consistent and reliable, especially when paired with its tankiness. The +5 to hit means it will often land hits against most standard enemies.
• Special Qualities:
• Earth Glide: The elemental can burrow through nonmagical, unworked earth and stone. While doing so, the elemental doesn't disturb the material it moves through. Note: In Solasta's tactical grid, this ability often translates to ignoring difficult terrain related to earth or allowing unique pathing through obstacles, though its full potential might be limited by map design. It primarily makes it very nimble on natural terrain.
• Stone Camouflage: The elemental has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in rocky terrain. While its Stealth score is low, this advantage can occasionally allow it to surprise enemies if positioned cleverly in an appropriate environment, though it's less about stealth and more about its inherent connection to stone.
  These abilities reinforce its identity as a resilient earth creature. The damage resistances are particularly noteworthy, as they significantly increase its effective HP against non-magical weapon attacks, which many common enemies rely on.

Strategic Deployment: When and How to Utilize Your Miner Elemental

Summoning a Skarn Ghoul isn't just about dropping another body onto the battlefield; it's about making a calculated tactical decision. Here's how to maximize its impact.

Why Choose the Skarn Ghoul? The Tank's Advantage

The Skarn Ghoul excels in specific roles, making it a highly attractive option for casters looking to control the flow of combat:

1. Exceptional Meat Shield: With 45 HP and 15 AC, combined with resistance to nonmagical bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage, the Skarn Ghoul can soak up an incredible amount of punishment. This directly translates to your squishier party members (like your own spellcaster or ranged damage dealers) taking less damage, allowing them to focus on their roles. It effectively doubles its HP against many common attacks.
2. Aggro Magnet: Enemy AI in Solasta often prioritizes the closest available target or the one that poses an immediate threat. Dropping a Skarn Ghoul directly into the fray ensures that enemies will often focus their attacks on it, diverting attention from your main party. This is invaluable for preserving your party's health and spell slots.
3. Choke Point Blocker: Its medium size allows it to occupy crucial squares, blocking doorways, narrow corridors, or specific paths that enemies might want to take. This can create a bottleneck, forcing enemies into unfavorable positions or preventing them from reaching your backline.
4. Persistent Melee Threat: While its damage isn't mind-blowing, a consistent 1d8+3 bludgeoning damage per turn adds up, especially when multiple enemies are focused on it. It ensures that enemies can't simply ignore it without consequence.

Synergies and Combinations

The Skarn Ghoul truly shines when integrated into a larger combat strategy:

• Protecting Ranged Spellcasters/Archers: Position the Skarn Ghoul between your frontline and your ranged damage dealers. It will draw attacks, allowing your backline to unleash their spells and arrows unmolested.
• Healing Support: While it resists damage, a cleric or paladin's healing spells can make a Skarn Ghoul last even longer, further extending its utility as a tank.
• Area-of-Effect (AoE) Spells: Use your Skarn Ghoul to herd enemies or hold them in place, setting them up perfectly for your wizard's Fireball or druid's Spike Growth. The elemental's resistance to many conditions means it might even be able to stand in some less dangerous AoE effects.
• Concentration Protection: By taking hits, the Skarn Ghoul indirectly protects your concentration. If enemies are attacking it, they aren't attacking you, reducing the chance you'll fail a concentration save and lose your crucial spells (including the Conjure Minor Elementals itself!).

Pitfalls to Avoid

Even the most stalwart "Miner Elemental" has weaknesses:

• Losing Concentration: This is the biggest vulnerability. If the caster takes damage and fails a concentration check, the Skarn Ghoul (and any other minor elementals) instantly disappear. Protect your caster!
• Magical Attacks: The Skarn Ghoul's fantastic damage resistances only apply to nonmagical bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing. Enemies wielding magical weapons or casting damaging spells will bypass this resistance entirely, making the Skarn Ghoul much squishier against them. Prioritize these magical threats with your main party.
• High Intelligence Enemies: While rare for basic grunts, more intelligent foes might recognize the Skarn Ghoul as a distraction and attempt to bypass it to reach the squishier caster. Be prepared for this and have contingency plans.
• Terrain Limitations: While Earth Glide is useful, the Skarn Ghoul doesn't fly. Difficult terrain or elevated positions that aren't traversable can limit its mobility and effectiveness.

Scaling Up: Higher Spell Slots and More Minor Elementals

One of the often-overlooked benefits of Conjure Minor Elementals is its scalability with higher spell slots. This spell becomes even more powerful as your caster levels up and gains access to more potent magic.
The rule is simple: when cast using a spell slot higher than 4th, you summon an additional creature for each spell slot level above 4th.

• Casting at 4th-level slot: Conjure 1 Skarn Ghoul (or 1 Wind Snake, or 2 Fire Jesters).
• Casting at 5th-level slot: Conjure 2 Skarn Ghouls (or 2 Wind Snakes, or 3 Fire Jesters).
• Casting at 6th-level slot: Conjure 3 Skarn Ghouls (or 3 Wind Snakes, or 4 Fire Jesters).
• Casting at 7th-level slot: Conjure 4 Skarn Ghouls (or 4 Wind Snakes, or 5 Fire Jesters).
  Imagine dropping four Skarn Ghouls onto the battlefield with a 7th-level slot! That's an astonishing amount of HP and AC to chew through, creating an instant frontline that can bog down entire enemy formations. This scalability drastically increases the spell's tactical options, turning it from a simple distraction into a formidable wave of resilient combatants.
  This upcasting mechanic is why Conjure Minor Elementals remains relevant even at higher levels. It scales effectively, offering significant returns for your valuable higher-level spell slots.

Common Questions About Solasta's Summoned Earthy Friends

Let's address some of the frequent inquiries players have about the Skarn Ghoul and the Conjure Minor Elementals spell.

"Is the Solasta Conjure Miner Elemental (Skarn Ghoul) worth it?"

Absolutely. For its spell level, the Skarn Ghoul offers exceptional durability and tactical presence. It's one of the best summon options for absorbing damage and redirecting enemy aggression. While its damage output is modest, its ability to protect your squishier party members and control the battlefield is invaluable. Many players find that a single Skarn Ghoul can effectively tank several enemies, freeing up the rest of the party to deal damage or apply crowd control. If you're still debating its utility, check out our comprehensive Solasta Conjure Miner Elemental review for a deeper dive into its combat effectiveness.

"Can the Skarn Ghoul attack multiple times per turn?"

No, the standard Skarn Ghoul typically has only one action, allowing it to make one Slam attack per turn. Unlike player characters with Extra Attack, summoned creatures usually adhere to a single action economy unless specifically stated in their stat block.

"What happens if I lose concentration on Conjure Minor Elementals?"

If the caster takes damage and fails their concentration check (DC 10 or half the damage taken, whichever is higher), or if the caster falls unconscious or dies, the Conjure Minor Elementals spell immediately ends. When the spell ends, all summoned minor elementals disappear instantly. They do not become hostile, unlike the elementals summoned by the 5th-level Conjure Elemental spell. This is a crucial distinction: losing concentration on Minor Elementals is less punitive, as you simply lose your allies without turning them into new enemies.

"How does the Skarn Ghoul compare to the Wind Snake or Fire Jesters?"

Each option from Conjure Minor Elementals fills a different niche:

• Skarn Ghoul: Pure tank and front-line presence. Best for drawing aggro, blocking, and soaking damage.
• Wind Snake: A flying, more mobile option. Good for harassing ranged enemies, flying over obstacles, or reaching targets the Skarn Ghoul can't. Less durable than the Skarn Ghoul.
• Fire Jesters: Two smaller, faster elementals that can deal minor fire damage in an AoE around them upon death. Excellent for swarming multiple weaker enemies, providing multiple distractions, or exploiting fire vulnerabilities. They are much squishier individually but offer numerical superiority.
  Your choice depends entirely on the tactical situation. Need a wall? Skarn Ghoul. Need aerial harassment? Wind Snake. Need multiple, low-HP distractions or to punish enemies for killing your summons? Fire Jesters.

Maximizing Your Conjuration Power

Bringing elementals to the field is a game-changer, but mastery requires more than just knowing the stats.

Tips for Casters

• Prioritize Concentration: As established, losing concentration is the biggest threat to your summoned allies. Position your caster safely, use spells like Shield or Misty Step to avoid damage, and consider feats or magic items that boost Constitution saving throws.
• Proactive Summoning: Don't wait until your party is overwhelmed. Summon your Skarn Ghoul at the beginning of combat or just before you engage, allowing it to immediately get into position and draw aggro.
• Target Positioning: Place the Skarn Ghoul directly between your primary damage dealers and the most dangerous enemy melee threats. Use it to flank enemies, providing advantage for your rogues or fighters.
• Be Mindful of AoE: While the Skarn Ghoul is resistant, your other party members might not be. Be careful with your own AoE spells so you don't accidentally hit your elemental, though it rarely takes significant damage from friendly fire in Solasta.

Party Composition Considerations

A party that can effectively leverage a Skarn Ghoul might include:

• Another Frontliner: A fighter or paladin complementing the Skarn Ghoul provides a solid, impenetrable frontline, allowing your backline to operate with impunity.
• Ranged Damage Dealers: Rogues, rangers, and other spellcasters (especially those with powerful single-target spells) benefit immensely from the Skarn Ghoul drawing enemy attention.
• Healers/Support: While the Skarn Ghoul is tough, a timely Healing Word can extend its lifespan even further, making it an even more cost-effective tank.

Your Next Steps in Mastering Solasta's Elementals

The Skarn Ghoul, Solasta's "Miner Elemental," is a powerful tool in any Druid or Wizard's arsenal. Its combination of high AC, substantial HP, and critical damage resistances make it an outstanding tank and distraction for its spell level. By understanding its mechanics, recognizing its strengths, and avoiding common pitfalls, you can transform it from a simple summoned creature into a pivotal tactical asset that routinely turns the tide of challenging encounters.
Experiment with its placement, observe how enemies react, and don't be afraid to upcast Conjure Minor Elementals for an even more formidable earth army. The more you use it, the more you'll appreciate the sheer value and consistent reliability of this stony companion. Go forth, summon, and dominate the battlefield!