Demons and "at will" spell-like abilities.

[BLACKDIRGE]

Hi all,

This really isn’t a rules question per se, but I wanted to get some opinions on an issue I have been thinking about.

Many demons (and other powerful outsiders) have at will spell-like abilities that are incredibly useful in a fight. Should one assume that these incredibly intelligent and wise creatures would always have these spells in effect when encountered? For example, the mature nabassu from HotA has access to unholy aura and true seeing as at will spell-like abilities. Since both of these spells are so benificial, would our demon, with an Intelligence of 20 and a Wisdom of 21, take a few seconds every 15 minutes to activate true seeing and every three minutes to activate unholy aura? I think he would.

Is this cheesy, or too rat-bastardly? Should it affect a demon's CR, or do you think it's already factored in?

Thanks

BD

 

[pawsplay]

I would not. A human can tap their foot "at will," it doesn't mean it doesn't get boring and/or tiring.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Sounds like intelligent play to me. Have 'em up!

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

I would not. A human can tap their foot "at will," it doesn't mean it doesn't get boring and/or tiring.

I don't think that's a great example, as humans gain no tangible benefit from foot-tapping. Demons, on the other hand, live in an environment that is fraught with peril and violence, and gain a very real benefit, often a life-saving one, from their at will abilities.

BD

 

[Rystil Arden]

Sounds like intelligent play to me. Have 'em up!

Agreed. Warlocks and other PCs with at-will abilities have been known to do exactly this, even in peaceful surroundings. Something as conniving and paranoid as a demon would most certainly set up its defenses whenever necessary.

 

[Crothian]

Ya, let them have spells like these up all the time

 

[BLACKDIRGE]

So far, three to one in favor of perpetually buffed demons.

To those of you who said yes, do you consider a demon's listed CR to already encompass this idea?

BD

 

[Mouseferatu]

So far, three to one in favor of perpetually buffed demons.

To those of you who said yes, do you consider a demon's listed CR to already encompass this idea?

Four votes for yes.

And yes, I do, since (IME) demons are a little underpowered for their CR if you don't do this.

 

[Krel]

Hi all,

Should it affect a demon's CR, or do you think it's already factored in?


BD

First of all, I do think it is reasonable to assume that a demon already has both of these cast before the battle. And to the second question, it is definitly already factored into the demon's CR. They don't make those spell-like abilities at will just for the heck of it and assume that the monster won't use it.

 

[Rystil Arden]

So far, three to one in favor of perpetually buffed demons.

To those of you who said yes, do you consider a demon's listed CR to already encompass this idea?

BD

Absolutely. And finally, we have demons almost worth their CR instead of those terrible 3.0 demons (like the Balor that lost to a level 4 Fighter). I'm in favour of demons that are actually a dangerous challenge and frightening to the players