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The Core Book, Bestiary, and PRD have a number of definitions to them, and in the cast of the action required to activate a spell-like ability, there is some descrepicy:
The Core/PRD definition states: 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.
The Bestiary/PRD definition states: Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so provokes attacks of opportunity. (the previous part is talking about constant SLAs)
So which is it suppose to be? One of the things I have seen about Pathfinder is they try to keep from having contradictory rules.
Ever since d20 came out, SLAs have had this contradictory rulling, but eveyone I know has used the "standard action unless the spell-like ability states otherwise" rule instead of the other one. Perhaps we were wrong.
Those definitions sound identical to me, aside from that the second one specifies that a SLA incurs an AoO. The true benefit of a SLA is that it's (as I understand it) essentially still and silent.
If you read the two carefully, they have different definitions. One says:
Standard action unless stated otherwise in the ability or spell description.
The other states:
Standard action unless stated otherwise in the ability.
What the first states is: Spell-like abilities that emulate spells have the same casting time unless the ability itself states otherwise. (there are some spell-like abilities that do not emulate spells, such as thepaladins Divine Bond (Sp))
The second states: A spell-like abilities is a standard action unless stated otherwise in the ability.
Standard action unless stated otherwise in the ability or spell description.
I would go with this one.
The omission of "or the spell description" in the second definition was very likely accidental, more likely than it being accidentally included in the first definition.
If it is an ommission, then it has existed since at least 3.5 (I don't have my 3rd ed books handy). Rather than continue to have two drasticaly differing definitions of an ability (and they are) then it needs to be clarified by somone official.
Granted, in my game I can say whatever I want, but an official rules clarification would be nice.
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The most glaring example of this is the summon demon spell-like ability. Summon Monster is the spell it's based off of, but it only functions "Like" it, not "As" it. Therefore it's unclear as to whether it's a 1 round action as the spell, or a standard action as most spell-like abilities state.
For my money if I only have a roughly 30% chance to pull it off it better be a standard!
--Jingle Bell Vrock!
If it is an ommission, then it has existed since at least 3.5 (I don't have my 3rd ed books handy). Rather than continue to have two drasticaly differing definitions of an ability (and they are) then it needs to be clarified by somone official.
Granted, in my game I can say whatever I want, but an official rules clarification would be nice.
+1
I too would like to see a ruling by The Wise at Paizo. This should have been clarified a LONG time ago by the hedge wizards in that broken-down tower by the sea....but since some of them work at Paizo now...let's ask nice.
Please.
IMO it should be the "unless noted in the ability or spell description" version. True, SLAs are mostly a tool of Monsters, and as such, a standard action wouldn't make things out of hand in most situations. A lot of the time, it would be a convenient way of making the critter fight better during its brief time before the PCs kill it dead. However, it is possible for PCs to get their hands on SLAs and some spells-turned-SLA should be longer to cast. (resurrection comes to mind)
Oh, and Happy Winter's Veil to All!
The level of the spell does not increase. It stays the same. The rule is stating that spell is based on the level of the spell the caster can cast at the time he gains the spell.
As an example if I gain an SLA at level 5 as a wizard then that SLA will count as a 3rd level spell. That SLA does not increase in level as the caster levels up.
That makes a lot more sense. Unfortunately, it's not worded that specifically :/The level of the spell does not increase. It stays the same. The rule is stating that spell is based on the level of the spell the caster can cast at the time he gains the spell.
As an example if I gain an SLA at level 5 as a wizard then that SLA will count as a 3rd level spell. That SLA does not increase in level as the caster levels up.
The related FAQ is pretty clear about this.
