| 20 people marked this as FAQ candidate. |
One question that comes up so. damn. often. is about spell-like abilities and how they are related to spells. The rules say that
Usually, a spell-like ability works just like the spell of that name. A spell-like ability has no verbal, somatic, or material component, nor does it require a focus. The user activates it mentally. Armor never affects a spell-like ability's use, even if the ability resembles an arcane spell with a somatic component.
A spell-like ability has a casting time of 1 standard action unless noted otherwise in the ability or spell description. In all other ways, a spell-like ability functions just like a spell.
But...they aren't just like spells. Well, they are. But there are some pretty big differences. For one, they aren't spells. The FAQ makes this clear if you read a number of the entries. Sean has made it clear a few times. If you read the ~4 places that the rules for SLAs are, you get the idea.
We have the above quote that goes over the differences, but it seems that there are a few more. For one, you can't use metamagic feats on them. You can't use them as prerequisites for magic item creation in place of spells (except the Summoner's SLA). They aren't actually spells, so anything that requires a spell doesn't work with them.
But are there any other differences? Or are the differences really just the ones listed, plus the fact that they aren't spells (and all the repercussions that has).
If this could get FAQed, I'd greatly appreciate it. It comes up very often, and just a single place to point to would be wonderful.
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I just recently learned that the spell level of a spell-like ability that isn't based on a spell (such as a cleric domain power, sorcerer bloodline power, etc) is the highest level spell that the character could cast at the level that they gained that SLA.
So a level 1 cleric domain power SLA is treated as a level 1 spell for things like concentration checks. A level 6 cleric domain power SLA is treated as a level 3 spell for concentration checks.
I just recently learned that the spell level of a spell-like ability that isn't based on a spell (such as a cleric domain power, sorcerer bloodline power, etc) is the highest level spell that the character could cast at the level that they gained that SLA.
So a level 1 cleric domain power SLA is treated as a level 1 spell for things like concentration checks. A level 6 cleric domain power SLA is treated as a level 3 spell for concentration checks.
Could you point to where it says that?
Edit: Never mind, found it myself. In the Magic section.
If a character class grants a spell-like ability that is not based on an actual spell, the ability’s effective spell level is equal to the highest-level class spell the character can cast, and is cast at the class level the ability is gained.
Funny how many times I've read that, and never really took the time to think about exactly what it meant mechanically speaking.
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Could you point to where it says that?I just recently learned that the spell level of a spell-like ability that isn't based on a spell (such as a cleric domain power, sorcerer bloodline power, etc) is the highest level spell that the character could cast at the level that they gained that SLA.
So a level 1 cleric domain power SLA is treated as a level 1 spell for things like concentration checks. A level 6 cleric domain power SLA is treated as a level 3 spell for concentration checks.
From the Core Rulebook FAQs:
Cleric domains, sorcerer bloodlines, wizard schools, and certain other class features give spell-like abilities that aren't based on spells. What's the effective spell level for these abilities?
The effective spell level for these spell-like abilities is equal to the highest-level spell that a character of that class could normally cast at the level the ability is gained.
For example, a 1st-level elemental bloodline sorcerer has elemental ray as a spell-like ability. Because a sorcerer 1's highest-level spell available is 1st, that spell-like ability counts as a 1st-level spell. A 9th-level elemental bloodline sorcerer has elemental blast as a spell-like ability. Because a sorcerer 9's highest-level spell available is 4th, that spell-like ability counts as a 4th-level spell.
—Sean K Reynolds, 07/07/11
Also in the Magic Chapter under the Special Abilities header for SLAs:
If a character class grants a spell-like ability that is not based on an actual spell, the ability's effective spell level is equal to the highest-level class spell the character can cast, and is cast at the class level the ability is granted.
But that may have been added after the FAQ.
It was definitely added, because I just checked my hard cover rulebook, which I believe was a second printing (double-checked, and it is indeed a second printing). It doesn't have that set of lines. Interestingly it also has this additional bit:
Some creatures actually cast arcane spells as sorcerers do, using components when required. Some creatures have both spell-like abilities and actual spellcasting power.
And that's why it'd be lovely to get some FAQs going :)
I just realized that things like this might be one of the reasons gamers catch a bad wrap as immoral. We're constantly asking people to FAQ this, and FAQ that, and FAQ the other. It's a bit obscene. :) :P
Might have something to do with thinking up ways to kill enemies faster...but sure, let's go with that! :)
Even a simple "SLAs are not spells for anything that require spells" in the FAQ would be nice, although that would most likely spawn multiple other questions. So hit that button! :)
It has. But what Sean states isn't in the rules. Not to mention such statements can only be found by those who already know what they're looking for.
My related question to this one was recently answered in a way that I think makes this one all the more important.
It's not the case that 'SLAs are not spells' covers every situation, so getting a good distinction would be very helpful.
Now that the differences have shrunk quite a bit, this'll be a lot easier to write an answer to! :)
What about spell like abilities that are not granted by a class?
What level do they count as for concentration checks?
What caster level are they cast at (especially if you don't have a caster level)
Ways this could happen:
- some racial abilities
- some traits (though it is a bit unclear in many cases if they grant spell like abilities or grant actual spell casting)
- some boons (for PFS play) or other DM fiat (or module writer)
The D&D SRD had clear answers on that. The PF SRD for some reason removed those sentences.
The relevant lines are these:
10 + the level of the spell the ability resembles or duplicates + the creature’s Cha modifier.
Some spell-like abilities duplicate spells that work differently when cast by characters of different classes. A monster’s spell-like abilities are presumed to be the sorcerer/wizard versions. If the spell in question is not a sorcerer/wizard spell, then default to cleric, druid, bard, paladin, and ranger, in that order.