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Spell-Like Abilities (Sp) Spell-like abilities are magical and work just like spells (though they are not spells and so have no verbal, somatic, focus, or material components). They go away in an antimagic field and are subject to spell resistance if the spell the ability is based on would be subject to spell resistance.
A spell-like ability usually has a limit on how often it can be used. A constant spell-like ability or one that can be used at will has no use limit; unless otherwise stated, a creature can only use a constant spell-like ability on itself. Reactivating a constant spell-like ability is a swift action. Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so provokes attacks of opportunity. It is possible to make a concentration check to use a spell-like ability defensively and avoid provoking an attack of opportunity, just as when casting a spell. A spell-like ability can be disrupted just as a spell can be. Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled.
For creatures with spell-like abilities, a designated caster level defines how difficult it is to dispel their spell-like effects and to define any level-dependent variables (such as range and duration) the abilities might have. The creature's caster level never affects which spell-like abilities the creature has; sometimes the given caster level is lower than the level a spellcasting character would need to cast the spell of the same name. If no caster level is specified, the caster level is equal to the creature's Hit Dice. The saving throw (if any) against a spell-like ability is 10 + the level of the spell the ability resembles or duplicates + the creature's Charisma modifier.
Some spell-like abilities duplicate spells that work differently when cast by characters of different classes. A monster's spell-like abilities are presumed to be the sorcerer/wizard versions. If the spell in question is not a sorcerer/wizard spell, then default to cleric, druid, bard, paladin, and ranger, in that order.
Format: At will—burning hands (DC 13); Location: Spell-Like Abilities.
So, no. You're not quite right.
They do provoke though, and do basically function as the equivalent spell unless noted otherwise.
If there is a specific spell like ability you are interested in we can tackle it specifically.
Of note is the standard action. That means spells with a full-round action casting time, notably most summoning spells, are only a standard action when used as a spell-like ability, unless explicitly noted in the monster's description.
Of note is the standard action. That means spells with a full-round action casting time, notably most summoning spells, are only a standard action when used as a spell-like ability, unless explicitly noted in the monster's description.
I can't think of any that have this excepting the Summoner class.
Though, there are probably examples.
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Of note is the standard action. That means spells with a full-round action casting time, notably most summoning spells, are only a standard action when used as a spell-like ability, unless explicitly noted in themonster'sspell's description.
SLAs go off of the spell's casting time, unless otherwise noted.
Darn, Ninja'd.
Just to clarify then (because I think I've done this wrong in a past campaign), a Leukodaemon's ability to Summon another Leukodaemon is only a standard action, because "Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so provokes attacks of opportunity."
I ask because it seems that Nefreet's statement above is to the contrary, but I'm not following why that would be.
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So they're not noticeable (no V/S components) but they do provoke? I've been telling my paladin that Det Evil in places with commoners is frowned upon because it draws attention. But if it only requires focus (thus the AoO), then it's perfectly fine for him to do so and he just looks like he's focusing really hard?
how about SLA from sorcerer bloodline abilities that are not a specific spell.
this came up concerning the DC for a concentration check (character was in an entangle spell and had the entangled condition. decided to use the lightning ray (sorcerer bloodline ability) but the concentration DC is 15 plus spell level (I think) in any event what is the spell levelo for a SLA that is not a specific spell?
Non-helpful post of the day:
Magic.
Just to clarify then (because I think I've done this wrong in a past campaign), a Leukodaemon's ability to Summon another Leukodaemon is only a standard action, because "Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so provokes attacks of opportunity."
I ask because it seems that Nefreet's statement above is to the contrary, but I'm not following why that would be.
Nefreet's argument (in my understanding) is that the "unless noted otherwise" refers to the spell description (so if they were casting summon monster I, you would reference the summon monster I spell description and note that the Casting Time is 1 round). Since the universal monster rule for summons clarifies that the summon ability is based off of the summon monster spells, they should take the same amount of time (not a standard action).
Nefreet's argument (in my understanding) is that the "unless noted otherwise" refers to the spell description (so if they were casting summon monster I, you would reference the summon monster I spell description and note that the Casting Time is 1 round). Since the universal monster rule for summons clarifies that the summon ability is based off of the summon monster spells, they should take the same amount of time (not a standard action).Just to clarify then (because I think I've done this wrong in a past campaign), a Leukodaemon's ability to Summon another Leukodaemon is only a standard action, because "Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so provokes attacks of opportunity."
I ask because it seems that Nefreet's statement above is to the contrary, but I'm not following why that would be.
Very good - thanks for the clarification, I agree, it should be a full round action based on that text.
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Ah, see, the Universal Monster Ability Rules say:
Using all other spell-like abilities is a standard action unless noted otherwise
But the CRB says:
A spell-like ability has a casting time of 1 standard action unless noted otherwise in the ability or spell description.
Now I think the CRB version is the more recent and therefore authoritative one.
Phew! For a while there I thought all those monsters that can summon more monsters had a really powerful ability that I'd never noticed.
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So they're not noticeable (no V/S components) but they do provoke? I've been telling my paladin that Det Evil in places with commoners is frowned upon because it draws attention. But if it only requires focus (thus the AoO), then it's perfectly fine for him to do so and he just looks like he's focusing really hard?
Can anyone get back to my question?
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So they're not noticeable (no V/S components) but they do provoke? I've been telling my paladin that Det Evil in places with commoners is frowned upon because it draws attention. But if it only requires focus (thus the AoO), then it's perfectly fine for him to do so and he just looks like he's focusing really hard?Can anyone get back to my question?
It's not really covered. A spell that has been cast using silent spell, still spell, eschew materials, etc still provokes. It has no obvious required actions (excepting focus) but still somehow provokes AoO. The general conclusion (for me) is that all spells produce some sort of glow or other arcane energies that are obviously visible when casting a spell, letting someone know you are casting.
Since SLA work a lot like spells, I imagine there are similar pieces of visible evidence when using them. For Detect Evil, it may be the paladins eyes glow. Still, whether or not this is inappropriate or not would be a societal thing and up to the paladin to choose what to do.
You would probably be better off reminding your paladin that:
A) Unless you have reasonable cause (stronger evidence than being evil), being evil is not a crime. Nor does it give cause to arrest or detain someone without greater evidence of their wrong doing.
B) Commoners, and in general everyone, with less than 5HD (unless you are a paladin, cleric, outsider, or undead) doesn't even detect using the spell. Most commoners would not have the requisite HD to detect as evil. Ever. In their entire life.
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So they're not noticeable (no V/S components) but they do provoke? I've been telling my paladin that Det Evil in places with commoners is frowned upon because it draws attention. But if it only requires focus (thus the AoO), then it's perfectly fine for him to do so and he just looks like he's focusing really hard?Can anyone get back to my question?
I believe it was SKR that answered this question at one time, and his response was that since SLAs provoke, there must be some sort of "magical effect" that is discernable when a Paladin detects evil. Flavor it however you wish (eyes lighting up, wave your hand like a Jedi, whatever), but people nearby are aware that you're "doing magic".
how about SLA from sorcerer bloodline abilities that are not a specific spell.
this came up concerning the DC for a concentration check (character was in an entangle spell and had the entangled condition. decided to use the lightning ray (sorcerer bloodline ability) but the concentration DC is 15 plus spell level (I think) in any event what is the spell levelo for a SLA that is not a specific spell?
so I will ask this again...
So they're not noticeable (no V/S components) but they do provoke? I've been telling my paladin that Det Evil in places with commoners is frowned upon because it draws attention. But if it only requires focus (thus the AoO), then it's perfectly fine for him to do so and he just looks like he's focusing really hard?
Just to expand a bit. It is assumed that there are visual or auditory ques that show an spell is being cast, even through a SLA. Pathfinder doesn't specify what each spell looks like or does so you have to make this up, but it doesn't happen. As for provoking. It is assumed that in all points of combat a person is on the defense and "has their guard up" which means that you have left no opening for a opponent to get in an extra strike. When you perform a spell or SLA you must let your guard down in order to cast them. By letting your guard down even for a moment you create the window that allows for a Attack of Opportunity. This is why a SLA provokes even though it doesn't use Somatic or Verbal components just like quicken spell does. In quicken spell you cast it so fast there is no opportunity for the opponent to pull off the strike in time before you "Put your guard back up".
Wow, shows I need to keep up with all the addenda. I must still be going off 3.5 with that one!
I think there's an answer that's basically "the level of a non-spell-derived SLA is the level of the highest-level spells a sorcerer of your class level (or HD, for monsters) when you got the ability would be".
So if you're 8th level, 4th level spells, so an SLA would be 4th level.
For those who dont know its 1/2 HD for monsters, not total HD when determining the level of the spell.
Ninja thread now, but I disagree, using the example of the Doppleganger's Detect Thoughts - earlier editions suggested strongly that this was not an ability that was blindingly evident when evoked. I'd see a paladin's Detect Evil akin to staring closely at an individual as if (literally) gazing into their soul. Note that it's also only a Move action for paladins to do this.I believe it was SKR that answered this question at one time, and his response was that since SLAs provoke, there must be some sort of "magical effect" that is discernable when a Paladin detects evil. Flavor it however you wish (eyes lighting up, wave your hand like a Jedi, whatever), but people nearby are aware that you're "doing magic".So they're not noticeable (no V/S components) but they do provoke? I've been telling my paladin that Det Evil in places with commoners is frowned upon because it draws attention. But if it only requires focus (thus the AoO), then it's perfectly fine for him to do so and he just looks like he's focusing really hard?Can anyone get back to my question?
So you necro an old thread, for seemingly no reason. And are wrong.
here is a FAQ that states that all casting produces an obviously magical manifestation noticeably even to those with no casting knowledge, and that this carries to SLA too.