is the Unicorn bloodline -Bloodline Arcana a supernatural effect?


Rules Questions


the ability doesn't say what kind of effect it is, but it seem to me that it should be a su effect.
it is added to spells so ex is not really in order, and it's a free action so sp or spells are also not fitting,also as it happen while a spell is cast i doubt it is a second spell casting being done at the same time.

should the Cloistered Upbringing traint work on it?


It definitely could be part of the spell that triggers it, like most bloodline arcana. It isn't a separate action, not even a free action. I'd probably rule that it's part of the spell & so that trait wouldn't apply.


well it part of the spell in the sense that it can't work if the spell fail.
but it is defiantly a separate effect. it doesn't have to target the spell target or people who are in it's area of effect (it's range is line of sight which can be well beyond the original spell's reach) and if it was part of the spell it would have to say something along the line of using the spell for cl,dc or save (in case some1 doesn't want to get healed - like the superstitious rage ability etc).

beside other things that work like this seem to be (su) as well. even those who use the spell dc and stuff such as:
Part the Veil (Su),
Divine Demand (Su),
Lightning Rod (Su),
Travel as One (Su),
Enduring Ritual (Su).
and more


Most of those domain powers (4/5) are their own action, unlike a bloodline arcana. I still don't know where you got the idea it was a free action, separate to spell casting from. Travel as one is the exception, and that one is an example which could support your idea it could be a bloodline arcana. As against that I checked 20 other bloodline arcana and none of those I looked at were listed as Su, Sp or SLA.


I agree that there is no clear indication. However, I do notice a couple of things.

*It targets independently from the spell, meaning its a separate effect that occurs. You can literally cast fireball at an enemy 600ft in front of you and also heal someone 1000ft behind you.

*All of the other unicorn bloodline abilities are SU.

I would rule that it's an SU ability if I were DMing for these reasons and as a result the trait would work with it. But I couldn't find anything concrete. I was hoping there was a statement somewhere (maybe under sorcerer) that said something like "unless otherwise stated bloodline arcana are always considered to be...".

So, I think it's up to your DM and as already demonstrated you could get wildly different answers from different DMs.

Dark Archive

Requires GM adjudication, but it's not a spell, therefore it's not a spell like ability. It's clearly magical so it's not an extraordinary ability, so Su makes the most sense here. But that will have to be up to your GM.

Dark Archive

Its a non action. It happens whenever you want it to, as part of spell casting.


Bloodline arcanas modify the effect of spells. There is no need for an (Ex), (Su), or (Sp) designation; the effect manifests as part of the spell and is treated as if it were just part of the spell's normal effect. It's a passive benefit, no different than Spell Focus or Spell Penetration, or even more complex ones like Dimensional Agility or Sacred Summons that change how a spell works in subtle ways.

Cloistered Upbringing would not work as the healing is from a spell and not a supernatural ability. On the other hand, the Fast Healer feat would work since the healing is coming from a spell which does qualify as magical healing.


Dasrak wrote:

Bloodline arcanas modify the effect of spells. There is no need for an (Ex), (Su), or (Sp) designation; the effect manifests as part of the spell and is treated as if it were just part of the spell's normal effect. It's a passive benefit, no different than Spell Focus or Spell Penetration, or even more complex ones like Dimensional Agility or Sacred Summons that change how a spell works in subtle ways.

Cloistered Upbringing would not work as the healing is from a spell and not a supernatural ability. On the other hand, the Fast Healer feat would work since the healing is coming from a spell which does qualify as magical healing.

not all bloodline arcana modify spells. but i agree that most that do are probably doing it as part of the spell casting.

however the ability doesn't modify the spell itself (nor it's caster level or dc etc) it happen along side it.. the added effect comes only from the arcana. as such what kind of ability it is matter.
that is why i referred to the other effects, as you can see some are said to work like metamagic (like 'lightning rod'), or increase save dc like spell focus (like 'divine demand')and still they are named under supernatural effects.

as for fast healer. 3 feats are too much to spend for a minor increase to healing when the healing itself is repeatable

Paizo Employee Developer

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It is indeed a supernatural effect.

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