Pillar Room Tips

Don't you just hate those pillar rooms? Well, so do I. Here are some tips to help make the experience less unpleasant.

Save the game before entering the room. There is almost nothing worse than to get into a hopeless situation and have no recent backup.
Map out the room. Yes, as in pencil and paper. There is nothing worse than to get into the same hopeless situation twice.
Triple-Bless and Haste your fighters before entering (preferably your whole party).
Enter the room in combat mode. This will allow you to explore the room more quickly and will prevent you from being suprised by summonings.