Caster Level for Spell-Like Abilities?

[Tav_Behemoth]

I'm posting this here since it's more of a design issue than a rules issue, and in hopes of benefitting from the local creature expertise!

What is the guideline for assigning caster level to a creature's spell-like abilities? Looking through the SRD, I haven't been able to find any consistent pattern -- should it equal to HD? CR? Some other consideration?

 

[Shade]

It seems that for the bulk of the creature's, it is equal to HD. However, there is no hard and fast rule.

 

[jgbrowning]

Yes, creature's HD unless you want different.

Spell-Like Abilities (Sp): If no caster level is specified, the caster level is equal to the creature’s Hit Dice. The saving throw (if any) against a spell-like ability is 10 + the level of the spell the ability resembles or duplicates + the creature’s Cha modifier.

joe b.

 

[Grazzt]

Yep- basically what Shade and Joe said. There really is no hard and fast rule for determining caster level. Just go with what works for you or try to find a comparable creature in the MM (or Tome 1, 2, MM2, FF, whatever) and go with that.

 

[BOZ]

there you have it. basically, caster level should equal HD, unless you want to raise the caster level to pack an extra punch.

 

[Tav_Behemoth]

Cool, thanks everyone! That's the answer I wanted to hear, since it justifies letting Nat's haz moths take quickened spell-like ability (hold person) as a feat. When the playtesters get whacked as a result, I'll give credit where credit is due