Can Class Abilities Effect Spell-Like Abilities

[Arch Fline]

So I want to know if a Class (Supernatural) Ability, that effects spell casting, also effect Spell-Like Abilities. Here is some context:

• Sorcerers have a Bloodline called Shapechanger. This bloodline has both a Bloodline Arcana and a Bloodline Power (called Mutable Flesh) that effect Transmutation spells that you personally cast.

  Bloodline Arcana: You are very skilled with magic that transforms you. Transmutation spells you cast only on yourself affect you as though your caster level were 1 higher.

  Mutable Flesh (Su): At 3rd level, once per day when you cast a transmutation spell with a duration of 1 minute per level that affects only you, you can increase its duration to 10 minutes per level. At 9th level, you can increase the duration to 1 hour per level.

• Dragon Disciples have a spell like ability called Dragon Form that allows them to cast Form of the Dragon on themselves.

  Dragon Form (Sp): At 7th level, a dragon disciple can assume the form of a dragon. This ability works like form of the dragon I. At 10th level, this ability functions as form of the dragon II and the dragon disciple can use this ability twice per day. His caster level for this effect is equal to his effective sorcerer levels for his draconic bloodline. Whenever he casts form of the dragon, he must assume the form of a dragon of the same type as his bloodline.

What I want to know is if the Bloodline Arcana and/or the Bloodline Power of the shapechanger bloodline effect the Dragon Disciple's, Dragon Form, spell-like ability. I am asking this question as a rules only question based on raw.

[wraithstrike]

It should work. SLA's work like spells unless otherwise specified. As an example the augment summon feat effects summoning SLA's. Being a class ability wouldn't change that. The SLA just has to qualify for the specific ability.

[Claxon]

Sometimes that act like spells, sometimes they don't.

I mean we have feats like Empower Spell Like Ability separate from Empower Spell.

To me it's not clearly one way or the other. I think this would be a GM call. And if it's for PFS I would ask in the PFS specific forum.

[Dave Justus]

While a spell-like ability is like a spell, it is not a spell that you cast, so those to Arcana would have no effect on the Dragon Form Spell Like ability.

If the arcana said 'spell or spell-like ability' or something similar it would work, but it doesn't.

[merpius]

Hmm, I believe the reason metamagic doesn't work with SLAs is that SLAs don't utilize spell levels or slots, so you can't manipulate the spell slot used. Basically everything else that works with spells works with SLAs.

As for casting, you do cast an SLA; it draws attacks of opportunity and can require a concentration check. The terminology used is also casting. I would suspect that these abilities work with Dragon Form, assuming you can get them and Dragon Disciple.

[wraithstrike]

Merpius is right. It doesn't have to call out SLA's. That is why I used the summon spell like ability as an example when the feat clearly calls out spells.

[Claxon]

I mean, I know Empower Spell doesn't work because SLAs don't have slots, they instead have use per day (or unlimited use) but it just illustrates the point of how SLA are similar, yet also different and thus it's not clear if something like this should or shouldn't work.

I mean, a SLA ability is clearly not a spell, because it's clearly specified as a SLA. And the ability specifies spells.

So in that sense it's a no.

The question is, does it count enough as a spell for it to work despite that. I do actually lean to yes, but I don't think it's nearly as clear wraithstrike or merpius seem to be indicating it is.

[David knott 242]

The only way that the combination described in the first post can work is if you are a cross-blooded Draconic/Shapechanger Sorcerer and select the bloodline powers in question. Remember that, if you are an actual sorcerer (as you must be if you have access to bloodline arcana), then you have to select the Draconic bloodline to be eligible to become a Dragon Disciple.

[merpius]

The FAQ regarding Augment Summoning indicates that it applies for SLAs; the wording in Augment Summoning is "Each creature you conjure with any summon spell gains a +4 enhancement bonus to Strength and Constitution for the duration of the spell that summoned it."

So, using the word "spell" isn't, inherently, an indicator against using it with an SLA. If that is the whole of your resistance to it, then let the FAQ for Augment Summoning dispell that resistance.

[wraithstrike]

merpius wrote:

The FAQ regarding Augment Summoning indicates that it applies for SLAs; the wording in Augment Summoning is "Each creature you conjure with any summon spell gains a +4 enhancement bonus to Strength and Constitution for the duration of the spell that summoned it."

So, using the word "spell" isn't, inherently, an indicator against using it with an SLA. If that is the whole of your resistance to it, then let the FAQ for Augment Summoning dispell that resistance.

This is exactly what I was referring to. :)

[Arch Fline]

Thank you everyone for the replies, I believe I have my answer. I appreciate everyone’s input, especially you wraith. I will stil check with my DM but I think the intent is clear given the precedence given by past rulings on similar subjects.