One would assume that if it provokes someone can at least tell your attention has wavered.
Yes on the spellcraft, but the DM is free to set the DC obnoxiously high (due to there not being any visual clues other than a momentary spaced out look.)
Personally, I'd make the DC 40+spell level.
The breakdown:
15+ spell level base.
+5 for no verbal
+5 for no somatic
+5 for no material
+10 for no detectable magical effect.
These are all house-rule mods, by the way. Can't find anything official.
I also use these mods for spellcasting that you can "only hear around the corner" and such.
Detectable effect can also reduce the DC: A stilled, silent, eschewed fireball is still a big ball o' fire.
They are not noticeable at all unless they have obvious visual effects. If you force a save against someone with a spell effect that has no visual effect, and they fail, they feel a hostile tingle, but they know not the source or cause.
In combat, enemies get attacks of opportunity because your momentary concentration on activating the ability leaves you open to attack, not because the enemy necessarily knows you are activating a spell-like ability.
That is an ongoing debate.
Out of combat they may be noticeable, just like silenced still spells.
I can see a GM saying they are not noticed out of combat though.
RAW I don't think they get a free pass. RAI I think that one is intentionally left up to the GM's.
PS:At least that is how I remember the debates in question anyway. That was before we has the list function so I don't have the answer saved.
All spells are not the same when it comes to the various components that are needed when casting, yet the same roll is needed to determine a proper spellcraft check to identify them. For that reason I would not add +5 per component not used in spell-like abilities. Personally I just double the roll needed (30+spell level) and leave it at that, though various other factors (fog, rain, etc.) still play a role to be sure.
Now with Psionics you can suppress the visual anomalies with a Spellcraft/Psicraft check of 15+power level, and when done I grant the same spellcraft check as a spell-like ability.
For the record I did a little delving in the Pathfinder Core Rule book and it states on page 221 “Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled” yet on page 554 it states “Spell-like abilitities can be dispelled and counterspelled as normal” which is true when it comes to using as counterspells. I did check the errata and could not find any fix as of this time.
They did fix it.
copy and paste from latest pdf. The same info should be on the prd also.
Page 221: Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled.
page 554:Spell-Like Abilities (Sp): Spell-like abilities, as the
name implies, are magical abilities that are very much like
spells. Spell-like abilities are subject to spell resistance and
dispel magic. They do not function in areas where magic is
suppressed or negated (such as an antimagic field). Spell-like
abilities can be dispelled, but they cannot be counterspelled
or used to counterspell.
They did fix it.
copy and paste from latest pdf. The same info should be on the prd also.
Page 221: Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled.page 554:Spell-Like Abilities (Sp): Spell-like abilities, as the
name implies, are magical abilities that are very much like
spells. Spell-like abilities are subject to spell resistance and
dispel magic. They do not function in areas where magic is
suppressed or negated (such as an antimagic field). Spell-like
abilities can be dispelled, but they cannot be counterspelled
or used to counterspell.
Thanks for that Wraithstrike.
Out of combat they may be noticeable, just like silenced still spells.
The only reason silenced/still spells are noticeable at all is because people interpret the Spellcraft skill as trumping it.
Unlike for normal spells and Spellcraft, I don't think there is anything anywhere that says you can identify a spell-like ability as it is being activated.
I am not saying you can identify it. I don't even think you can identify a silenced still spell with spellcraft.
It still takes some focus to cast either one. It is just a matter of fluff/flavor to decide how you know they are doing it.