Have you tried some other options? I use summons quite often to support my party (especially when playing two lone wolves) but I don't think there is a need to use them. There are very good possibilities to control crowd and/or finish most of the enemies quickly, so you don't need summons. Static clouds are a very devil thing. Icewalls can both protect you and freeze a couple of enemies. Rain, water bombs, water arrows on enemies, and some electrics. Fire Master skills in combination with poison. Healing options: zombie + high fire resistance on armor and fire resistance spell (or something similar to reach 100+) + (optional) life leech - attack your party and enemies with poison and fire: dead enemies and your party on full life. Two handed or dual wielded warrior with crafted and boosted weapons + damage buffs from witchcraft and man at arms skills: crushes everything. Summoning all the time can be tedious, I agree. But I don't see a need for many or for any summons and charming spells.
