Ok so in one of the gaming im playing in a paladin used their detect evil (SP) on one of the NPC's. My question is would the NPC's notice? And what would be involved with using the ability? The use of this is a move action, and reading the spell-like abilities entry it sounds like you just activate it. I guess i just need some clarification on it.... But then with monsters and SP do they still provoke AOO when casting in melee? And could you use spell craft to identify the SP when it is used? Thanks
Red
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Ok so in one of the gaming im playing in a paladin used their detect evil (SP) on one of the NPC's. My question is would the NPC's notice? And what would be involved with using the ability? The use of this is a move action, and reading the spell-like abilities entry it sounds like you just activate it. I guess i just need some clarification on it.... But then with monsters and SP do they still provoke AOO when casting in melee? And could you use spell craft to identify the SP when it is used? Thanks
Red
Spell-like abilities do not have any components (V,S, M or DF) like the spell, so there is no outward indication of what is going on. I would say no spellcraft roll unless the spell-like ability has a visible effect (fireball or something). Detect evil would probably look like the paladin staring intently at the subject. No AOs on them, either.
No AOs on them, either.
Spell-Like Abilities (Sp): "Using a spell-like ability works like casting a spell in that it requires concentration and provokes attacks of opportunity. Spell-like abilities can be disrupted. If your concentration is broken, the attempt to use the ability fails, but the attempt counts as if you had used the ability. The casting time of a spell-like ability is 1 standard action, unless the ability description notes otherwise.
Using a Spell-Like Ability on the Defensive: You may attempt to use a spell-like ability on the defensive, just as with casting a spell. If the concentration check (DC 15 + double the spell's level) fails, you can't use the ability, but the attempt counts as if you had used the ability."
I would allow a roll to figure out what is happening. As a PC, you wouldn't want NPCs using spell-like abilities on you with no chance to know what is happening or where it's coming from.
Since the caster of a spell or of a spell-like ability takes an action to do the casting, by default he can be observed doing it and anyone watching him can make a Spellcraft roll to attempt to figure out exactly what he is doing. As far as I know, the lack of verbal or somatic components simply means that you cannot stop the use of the spell-like ability by silencing or tying up the caster.
Since the caster of a spell or of a spell-like ability takes an action to do the casting, by default he can be observed doing it and anyone watching him can make a Spellcraft roll to attempt to figure out exactly what he is doing. As far as I know, the lack of verbal or somatic components simply means that you cannot stop the use of the spell-like ability by silencing or tying up the caster.
The thing is that he could be standing perfectly still and still activate it.
SLAs are weird because of this. There really is no outward indication of anything happening, at all. I don't even know why they provoke.
They provoke for the same reason spells provoke. It is not because people know they are casting, but because the concentration required leaves them open to an attack.
Yea, that makes sense.
You can not spellcraft SLA's.
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You can not spellcraft SLA's.
Citation?
Spell-Like Abilities: 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.
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.
(Bold mine)
I'm not making a definitive claim, but I think it's a grey area.
Identifying a spell as it is being cast requires no action, but you must be able to clearly see the spell as it is being cast, and this incurs the same penalties as a Perception skill check due to distance, poor conditions, and other factors.
My guess is that concerro says that based on the bold bit. If you can't see the spell being cast (you can't, since there are no components), then you can't use spellcraft on it.
That's my guess of the reasoning, at least.
It'd be akin to trying to use Sense Motive or something else to read the thoughts of someone. It's all mental, and there's no outward physical factors to even guess what's going on.
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The paladin simply appears to be staring intently at the target. On any street in real life, people will react to this behaviour. In a fantasy world where there are witches who cast the evil eye? Better believe it.
Anyone familiar with the iconic abilities of paladins can probably figure out what the guy in plate armour with a holy symbol of Iomedae is doing. It might take a really easy Knowledge (religion) check.