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.
Right now spell-like abilities have no verbal, somatic, or material component, but by RAW they still have Thought, and Emotional components.
My assumption is that when Occult Adventures comes out they will clarify that (Sp) will lose the psychic components as well, but is it okay to make that assumption until then?
Thoughts? Concerns? Rebukes?
Why does this question matter?
Because I am currently playing a HydroKineticist, and currently by RAW if my character is affected by any outside emotion (such as being shaken), he would technically lose all of his (Sp) abilities as they (as of right now) still require the thought and emotional components.
I realize this isn't likely RAI; but since I'll be stuck with the playtest version for at least 2-3 more sessions, I wondered if the general consensus would be to ignore the psychic components or not.
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Why would you assume that kinetic blast has a thought or emotion component at all? It's not that all psychic spells have thought and emotion components; it's that ones that would have verbal have thought, and ones that have would have somatic have emotion.
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.
The bolded part answers your question. Most effects that deal with (negatively) affecting your mental faculties are Mind-Affecting, which usually constitutes Thought Processing and Emotions. (Well, mostly.) If the requirement for your Thought and Emotional components are that you cannot be currently affected by Mind-Affecting Effects, then if you are hit with one, it will make you unable to fulfill those components, straight out. That's what the RAW tells me.
But, since it's a playtest, it's hard to say what direction they'll take; they might fix them, they might not, it's very much up in the air. I'd wait until they come out with a Second Round release to see if they clarify/change anything. That being said, if this is a home game playtest, I'd bring it up with the GM and see what he has to say; he might be lenient and handwave it, if only just to see how the class can actually perform in a real game.
**EDIT** Thanks Mark for taking levels of Ninja. Is it time to prestige into Shadow Dancer?
Why would you assume that kinetic blast has a thought or emotion component at all? It's not that all psychic spells have thought and emotion components; it's that ones that would have verbal have thought, and ones that have would have somatic have emotion.
You're being waaaayy too sensible; stop it.
I honestly had just assumed that most (if not all) psychic spells had a thought component, emotion component, or both; and therefore assumed that psychic spell-like abilities would (until errata'd) have them as well. Durp.
Thanks Mark, you are awesome!