Spirit Bear vs Summon Creature IX (mechanics)

[The_Nightingale]

So first of all I'd like to get this out of the way: I understand the different roleplay aspects of the spells. I am using my spirit bear for RP reasons, but...

Could someone shed some light on why anyone in their right mind would use the bear for mechanical reasons?

Statwise, I've compared him and he is inferior to just about every elder elemental.
Even with the buffs you can give them, like magic fang and jagged tooth, ALL of em work on elementals too.
So the Bear is essentially inferior in every way (Unless he's got hidden 50% conceal somewhere, but combat logs dont' show that), BUT the duration of the bear is also 1round/level compared to elementals 1minute/level.

Can someone help me figure this one out? It just seems like I'm wasting my known spell slots and my efforts on a broken spell line.

Thank you for your time and replies.

[Blackman D]

it will get looked at, at some point, soon "ish"

[The_Nightingale]

ty!

[illithid]

You mean phantom bear?

Both bear and wolf have 30% conceal iirc, and hits like a train compared to the elementals, but.... duration is certainly lacklustre