Touch of Serenity vs. Spell-like Abilities


Rules Questions


Does the 'Touch of Serenity' ability prevent an enemy from using spell-like abilities?

Pathfinder SRD wrote:
Touch of Serenity: You must declare that you are using this feat before you make your attack roll (thus a failed attack roll ruins the attempt). On a successful hit, the attack deals no damage and bestows no other effect or condition, but the target cannot cast spells or attack (including attacks of opportunity and attacks as immediate actions) for 1 round unless it succeeds on a Will saving throw with a DC of 10 + 1/2 your character level + your Wisdom modifier. You may attempt a touch of serenity once per day for every four levels you have attained (but see Special), and no more than once per round.

Sovereign Court

I would say yes, because:

Bestiary > Universal Monster Rules wrote:
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).
Core Rulebook > Getting Started wrote:
Spell-Like Abilities (Sp): Spell-like abilities function just like spells, but are granted through a special racial ability or by a specific class ability (as opposed to spells, which are gained by spellcasting classes as a character gains levels).

SLAs are like spells except for the things explicitly described as being different. If you can't cast spells you probably can't cast SLAs either.


But in touch of serenity it only affects spells and attacks and SLAs say they are not spells even if they act like one. So wouldn't SLAs still work.

Sovereign Court

They're not spells, but function (or in this case, don't function) just like spells. Everything that's different about SLAs compared to spells is specifically described, and those descriptions don't mention Touch of Serenity.


Pathfinder Maps Subscriber

If the use of that SLA would be an attack, then it certainly isn't possible. Other SLAs might function, but that would be up to your GM.

Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / Rules Questions / Touch of Serenity vs. Spell-like Abilities All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.