Paralyzed
A paralyzed character is frozen in place and unable to move or act. A paralyzed character has effective Dexterity and Strength scores of 0 and is helpless, but can take purely mental actions. A winged creature flying in the air at the time that it becomes paralyzed cannot flap its wings and falls. A paralyzed swimmer can't swim and may drown. A creature can move through a space occupied by a paralyzed creature—ally or not. Each square occupied by a paralyzed creature, however, counts as 2 squares to move through.
Spell-Like Abilities (Sp)
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.
Spell-like abilities are subject to spell resistance and dispel magic. They do not function in areas where magic is suppressed or negated. Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled.
Some creatures actually cast arcane spells as sorcerers do, using components when required. Some creatures have both spell-like abilities and actual spellcasting power.
So I am pretty sure that you can activate an SLA while paralyzed.
But if you activate a SLA while paralyzed, you provoke an AoO because you lowered your defenses?
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So I am pretty sure that you can activate an SLA while paralyzed.
But if you activate a SLA while paralyzed, you provoke an AoO because you lowered your defenses?
I'd probably forgo the AoO, arguing that the caster can't lower their defenses any further.
-Skeld
PS: I've always disliked that casting SLAs (that require no somatic, verbal, or material components) provoked, but just accepted in as a ame balance issue. So it doesn't take much convincing for my to throw out the AoO.
I would say it still provokes, but I'm with Skeld. I would hand wave it. I mean, after all, you're already paralyzed.
I would say it still provokes, but I'm with Skeld. I would hand wave it. I mean, after all, you're already paralyzed.
Definitely provokes by RAW, but I would also negate that by saying that there is literally nothing the character can do to provoke an AOO in his or her current state.
Hmmm... by that argument, a mobile active opponent who uses a SLA would provoke an attack of opp, but a paralyzed motionless opponent would not provoke AoO? So... there is a benefit to being paralyzed, you don't provoke AoO's... so what's to stop someone from remaining perfectly still while using his SLA to prevent provoking an AoO?
Just asking...
In the paralyzed example, you're already in a bad situation. I guess it just seems harsh to give out an AoO on top of it.
Hmm... this makes me question the logic of the AoO on SLAs. I shall have to think about this.
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Sure it provokes. It doesn't make sense but then there are a lot of things that don't quite make sense.
As far as I'm concerned it's a small price to pay for a power that you get to use when you are otherwise helpless.
Here is a weirder question IMO. A witches hexes are Su. A witch can fly as an Su with the flight hex. Does this mean a paralyzed witch can still fly and use her hexes? Does being paralyzed even effect a witch with the flight hex negatively at all beyond denying her her dexterity bonus to AC?
It seems like that is kosher, ogre.
Its use cannot be disrupted, does not require concentration, and does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
Unless something within the Hex specifically requires movement.
These abilities can be always active or they can require a specific action to utilize. The supernatural ability's description includes information on how it is used and its effects.
However, the definition of Paralysis disagrees:
A paralyzed character cannot move, speak, or take any physical action. He is rooted to the spot, frozen and helpless. Not even friends can move his limbs. He may take purely mental actions, such as casting a spell with no components.
Emphasis Mine.
I don't think this pokes a hole in the "logic" of spell like abilities provoking an AoO. After all, you are using all of your mental focus to cast a spell, and therefor not defending yourself properly.
This just highlights how TOTALLY screwed you would be when you become paralyzed. Just being paralyzed within reach should provoke an AoO, since you are leaving yourself far more open to attack then most other actions that provoke.
Pathfinder seems to have done a great job of balancing petrification - especially from lower CR creatures, but paralyzation seems just as deadly as it always has been.
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Hmmm... by that argument, a mobile active opponent who uses a SLA would provoke an attack of opp, but a paralyzed motionless opponent would not provoke AoO? So... there is a benefit to being paralyzed, you don't provoke AoO's... so what's to stop someone from remaining perfectly still while using his SLA to prevent provoking an AoO?
Just asking...
These types of gameisms annoy me. To a large extent, it's a matter of perspective.
From the GM perspective, I'd hate to "kick a player while they're down" by using AoOs against them while they're already paralyzed. [Especially so if it were a lower-level game and/or I didn't want to over-punish the player too much.]
From the player perspective, unless I had AoOs to spare, I wouldn't want to use one against a paralyzed foe, especially one that runs a high risk of a forthcoming coup de grace anyway. Unless I had character knowledge that the foe in question had some awesome SLAs, I might just hold on to my AoO in case I need it.
From a common sense standpoint, AoOs are provoked when foes momentarily lower their defenses and/or take distracting actions. I can't think of anything off the top of my head that a paralyzed character could do that would lower his defenses below the penalties he already takes for being paralyzed. Whatever his opponent's want do, he has to stand there and take it, even to death.
...so what's to stop someone from remaining perfectly still while using his SLA to prevent provoking an AoO?
As for the above, I'd put this in the same category as the "can I ignore the Rogue flanking me to deny him his sneak attack damage" question: As a GM, I'd answer a strong "no." On the other hand, i can see a GM saying that if you spend your full round action to stand still (as if paralyzed), taking all the penalties for parametrization, then sure, you can avoid an AoO for using an SLA. that seems an awfully steep price to pay though.
-Skeld
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Hmmm... by that argument, a mobile active opponent who uses a SLA would provoke an attack of opp, but a paralyzed motionless opponent would not provoke AoO? So... there is a benefit to being paralyzed, you don't provoke AoO's... so what's to stop someone from remaining perfectly still while using his SLA to prevent provoking an AoO?
Just asking...
These types of gameisms annoy me. To a large extent, it's a matter of perspective.
From the GM perspective, I'd hate to "kick a player while they're down" by using AoOs against them while they're already paralyzed. [Especially so if it were a lower-level game and/or I didn't want to over-punish the player too much.]
I don't see it so much as kicking them when they are down because they have the same option that characters without SLAs have... just do nothing. Being able to act when you are otherwise helpless is a huge advantage in game, the way I see it the AoO is a small price to pay for that advantage.
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I don't see it so much as kicking them when they are down because they have the same option that characters without SLAs have... just do nothing. Being able to act when you are otherwise helpless is a huge advantage in game, the way I see it the AoO is a small price to pay for that advantage.
That's a pretty fair response. Although I think the SLA is question has alot to do with whether or not it's a huge advantage.
-Skeld
So I'm going to ask the real question now. Will any DM in this discussion actually allow a paralyzed individual/creature to use a SLA?
At my table, this won't fly.
@Ogre
The wizard's arcane bond would work as you state provided the bonded object was a ring or an amulet. Staves, wands and weapons must be wielded. If the wizard does not have these three items out then he is SOL.
@knightofstyx
I would absolutely allow a paralyzed individual/creature to use an SLA.
@Maveric28
No I would not allow someone to stand still to avoid an AoO. No matter how still you try to be you cannot be as still as someone who is paralyzed. Plus if someone tried to stand still while in someone's threatened area I would say that would provoke an AoO.
To all:
Also I would use the RAW and they would get an AoO when they activate it.
I don't see it as too harsh at all. In my book a spellcaster who winds up paralyzed next to his foes deserves everything he gets.
Thanx!
Hawk
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So I'm going to ask the real question now. Will any DM in this discussion actually allow a paralyzed individual/creature to use a SLA?
At my table, this won't fly.
I would, but I would apply facing to their LOS (since they can't move). If there was any argument about which way they might be facing, I'd roll a d8 for it.
I also wouldn't have the player trigger an AoO, since I tend to have common sense override rules where the two clash directly. If you are paralyzed they are already taking advantage of your open defenses all up and down the place. Alternately, I might rule that paralyzed enemies are always triggering (but from the same cause) so that a character can take one AoO against them for being paralyzed at any point in the round, but only one.Of course, rule 1/2 applies (if I can do it, so can you) and paralyzed enemies may be a danger.
Hmmm... by that argument, a mobile active opponent who uses a SLA would provoke an attack of opp, but a paralyzed motionless opponent would not provoke AoO? So... there is a benefit to being paralyzed, you don't provoke AoO's... so what's to stop someone from remaining perfectly still while using his SLA to prevent provoking an AoO?
Just asking...
Sure! IF he wants to take all the penalties for being paralyzed at the same time. Otherwise no.
So I'm going to ask the real question now. Will any DM in this discussion actually allow a paralyzed individual/creature to use a SLA?
At my table, this won't fly.
Absolutely.
There are tons of monsters with powerful SLAs.
Players: Yay, we paralyzed the demon, lets go Coup de Grace it.
DM: The demon dissappears....
Players: WTF?!?!?
So I'm going to ask the real question now. Will any DM in this discussion actually allow a paralyzed individual/creature to use a SLA?
At my table, this won't fly.
I think it is just a bit silly to allow SLA when paralyzed, it's just game mechanic silliness. I would allow a tied and gagged character to use SLA, but not one completely paralyzed, it seems fair to rule you need some minimum control of your body, like opening your mouth(shout), pointing a finger(ray spell) or flexing your muscles(bull's strength) in a that is less significant than a somatic component.
I completely agree RAW allows it, but tbh RAW never has been a holy cow, it's a rule that support playing game mechanics rather than characters.
I always thought that it was silly that if your character stops in combat to think about lightning bolts, color sprays, strange monsters or rituals, they provoke.
I'll just keep it in mind for low-wisdom absent-minded wizards-- they might provoke a lot more attacks of opportunity than you think they do.
A paralyzed character cannot move, speak, or take any physical action. He is rooted to the spot, frozen and helpless. Not even friends can move his limbs. He may take purely mental actions, such as casting a spell with no components.
Emphasis mine. If you can cast a component-less spell while paralyzed, you can certainly use an SLA, which function like silent, still, eschewed spells.
On the AoO thing, my problem with the "there is nothing they can do to lower their defenses farther" idea is by that logic anyone should be able to take an AoO against a paralyzed character once per round. Otherwise you are saying "A paralysed character is more defenseless than a character drinking a potion, but it's easier to attack a character drinking a potion." So either the SLA should provoke, or they should be constantly provoking; I'm honestly okay either way and would probably give my players the choice.
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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On the AoO thing, my problem with the "there is nothing they can do to lower their defenses farther" idea is by that logic anyone should be able to take an AoO against a paralyzed character once per round. Otherwise you are saying "A paralysed character is more defenseless than a character drinking a potion, but it's easier to attack a character drinking a potion." So either the SLA should provoke, or they should be constantly provoking; I'm honestly okay either way and would probably give my players the choice.
Well since an AoO is 'letting their guard down' helpless characters seem to be perfectly fair for that. IMNSHO.
Your players will love it, clear until they meet their first ghouls.
A paralyzed character cannot move, speak, or take any physical action. He is rooted to the spot, frozen and helpless. Not even friends can move his limbs. He may take purely mental actions, such as casting a spell with no components.
Emphasis mine. If you can cast a component-less spell while paralyzed, you can certainly use an SLA, which function like silent, still, eschewed spells.
On the AoO thing, my problem with the "there is nothing they can do to lower their defenses farther" idea is by that logic anyone should be able to take an AoO against a paralyzed character once per round. Otherwise you are saying "A paralysed character is more defenseless than a character drinking a potion, but it's easier to attack a character drinking a potion." So either the SLA should provoke, or they should be constantly provoking; I'm honestly okay either way and would probably give my players the choice.
I don't have a problem with always provoking when you are paralyzed until you end up next to a 20 dex fighter with combat reflexes....
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I don't have a problem with always provoking when you are paralyzed until you end up next to a 20 dex fighter with combat reflexes....A paralyzed character cannot move, speak, or take any physical action. He is rooted to the spot, frozen and helpless. Not even friends can move his limbs. He may take purely mental actions, such as casting a spell with no components.
Emphasis mine. If you can cast a component-less spell while paralyzed, you can certainly use an SLA, which function like silent, still, eschewed spells.
On the AoO thing, my problem with the "there is nothing they can do to lower their defenses farther" idea is by that logic anyone should be able to take an AoO against a paralyzed character once per round. Otherwise you are saying "A paralysed character is more defenseless than a character drinking a potion, but it's easier to attack a character drinking a potion." So either the SLA should provoke, or they should be constantly provoking; I'm honestly okay either way and would probably give my players the choice.
Which goes back to my comment where I'd treat it as one provoking event that you can take advantage of at any time (much like a person with really high move speed running circles around you, you can't take more than one AoO for the movement, but you can take it anywhere).