A spell-like ability has no verbal, somatic, or material component, nor does it require a focus.
Let's say ultra evil dude has some non flashy spell-like ability (e.g. divinations, compulsion enchantments, illusions, etc...). Would he be able to use this in a crowd without being detected? If he's talking to awesome hero and stops mid-conversation for about 3 seconds (i.e. half a round), would awesome hero notice anything?
When directly interacting with ultra evil dude, i might call for a bluff check. If not, i'd say he'd go unnoticed (what is there really to notice??)
..wondering how people here handle spell-like abilities? Can't find any rules that directly talk about identifying spell-like abilities.
Thanks!
Without an active arcane sight or detect magic running, I'd say awesome hero is kinda screwed... SLAs are really only identifiable by their effect; if said effect is subtle (those divinations, enchantments, and some illusory effects mentioned above) then you're kinda outta luck.
Unless I'm mistaken (I'm going from memory here), SLAs are subject to an AoO. Which means they're definitely noticeable.
(looks)
Yep, they are subject to an AoO. So clearly they're not an unnoticeable action and clearly they can be detected.