Provoking AoO

[Kirbdog]

I have been researching this topic and I find a lot of views.
I seen a FAQ but then later seen it shot down reopening the question.

Do spell like abilities provoke an AoO if the spells have no somatic or verbal components, only emotional and thought.

Im not saying he cannot get singled out and attacked, just wondering about this AoO.

If he does provoke, then he still gets the opportunity to not provoke by casting defensively.

[Taja the Barbarian]

Yes, the only spells that don't provoke are the ones that are cast as swift or immediate actions, and spell-like abilities follow this rule as well.

There is no 'provokes an attacks of opportunity' exception for Psychic Magic as that would be a bit overpowered.

Spell casting is always (somehow) fairly obvious for game balance reasons, even for psychic magic.

Also keep in mind that casting defensively when there is a thought component is extra difficult if you don't 'take a move action before beginning to cast the spell to center herself'

[Belafon]

Table 8-2 in the Core Rulebook page 183:
Casting a spell or using a spell-like ability provokes an Attack of Opportunity.

It's using the ability that provokes, not the components. (Tangentially, a spell-like ability has no components at all, whether it is arcane, divine, or psychic in basis. CRB page 221 and Occult Adventures page 144.)

[Kirbdog]

Thanks!

[JDawg75]

That's right, SLA's provoke just like casting spells, but supernatural abilities do not.

J

[Azothath]

spell casting and spell-like(Sp){also called SLAs} provoke.

Casting Defensively, some spells(like Illusion of Calm:I1), and distance(provoking but no opponents threaten you), and some situations(feats or special abilities) can nullify the threat of taking an attack. Abating hit probabilities through a miss chance is also a classic way to CYA.

Using some items (classically Wands) to create spell effects are another way around the threat of Provoking an AoO