Spell Like Abilities on Monsters Times Per Day question.

[Grey Alchemist]

Ok, I have thought myself into a corner.

Quote:

Spell-like Abilities: After listing the caster level of the creature's spell-like abilities, this section lists all of the creature's spell-like abilities, organized by how many times per day it can use the abilities. Constant spell-like abilities function at all times but can be dispelled. A creature can reactivate a constant spell-like ability as a swift action.

So if a monster has an entry with multiple spell-like abilities:

Example: 3/day deathknell(DC15), enervation, silence

Does that mean
a) they can use all three spells three times per day (so 9 "castings"), or
b) does it mean three times per day they can cast one of those spells (so 3 "castings").

I am reading it as b - sort of like a sorcerer, but I have my doubts after reading a module where they have creature with a line that reads:
1/day Antilife Shell, Greater Teleport, Harm(DC19), Slay living(DC18)
and the creature does both in the encounter.

EDIT:
For those who don't want to read further - I had it wrong. It is option A - Every spell-like ability behind a 3/day can be cast 3 times per day. Thanks to those who replied.

[In My Humble Opinion]

I have always understood it as option a.

[Chemlak]

A previous thread on this very question, with commentary from Sean K Reynolds, who was on the design team at the time.

Please note that when speaking from a position of authority like this (as in not saying "in my opinion"), then design team commentary is by mutual consent of the design team, not just that one member.

edit: Actually, I just did a search of the rules forum with the search string "spell-like abilities per day" and BOY does this question get asked a lot... Prime candidate for an easy FAQ, if you ask me.

[Paulicus]

I think it's "A"

If you look at the feat Extra Gnome Magic it gives extra castings in the style of your "B" option, and it goes into more detail to make it clear how it works. It's certainly no proof, but it supports the idea.

I've never understood gnomes without the feat to only have 1 SLA per day either.

[Grey Alchemist]

Thank you all for the replies and link to the older post.

[CWheezy]

I always thought it was B