This may be a silly question, and it'll point out a total miss on my part as a GM, but here goes:
Today (seriously) I realized that Spell Like Abilities draw an Attack of Opportunity, unless cast defensively. I always assumed (that dangerous word) that due to their lack of somatic components, they wouldn't, but turns out I'm wrong. Huh.
I've technically found the answer to the below in a d20 SRD for 3.5ed, but I'm wondering if there was specifically a Pathfinder answer that I could reference when called upon to do so.
The real question I have though, is this:
If you take damage while casting a spell, such as from an AoO, it's Concentration or lose the spell.
So...
If you take damage while using an SLA, is it Concentration vs Fizzle as well?
I've checked all the core books, and they imply that it would. They make the point to reference time and again, that it behaves in almost all ways as spells, except the general lack of verbal/somatic/material, and the "Does it Provoke" chart in the core book confirms that they do in fact draw attacks. But among all the pages, there's nothing (that I've noticed - may have missed something) that clearly states a SLA can be lost to damage.
This would be very good knowledge to have, especially tonight. :)
Yes.
If a Spell or SLA provokes, and they hit you, the DC (IIRC) is 10 + the spell level + damage dealt, and it says so here. If you fail, the Spell/SLA does not work, and is wasted. Concentration is an important part of casting spells, and casting defensively is something a character would have to do while casting spells, which is what an SLA emulates.
Also, from the SRD:
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.
I'll see if I can answer this question about spell-like abilities without barking up the wrong tree.
See Core Rulebook page 186: "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. (emphasis added)"
And yes you can use a spell-like ability on the defensive.
I... Huh. Can't believe I missed all that. (sigh)
Thank you though, very much. The information will be put to good use. :)
(take THAT, demons using Teleport at Will)