Do spell-like abilities require material components?

[Ycore Rixle]

Quick question: do spell-like abilities require material components, or is the requirement waived in the case of such an 'innate' power?

Thanks - I didn't see it in the SRD under 'special abilities - spell-like abilities,' and I don't have access to search.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

It is (usually) waived.

In order to cast Flame Seeds, however, you need pine cones. Or, if you're a phoenix, a drop of your own blood. Ew.

On a similar note, a creature that casts disintegrate as a spell-like ability still needs to be able to move it's hands to aim the spell.

 

[LokiDR]

No. Spell like abilities have no components.

 

[Dr_Rictus]

It is (usually) waived.

In order to cast Flame Seeds, however, you need pine cones. Or, if you're a phoenix, a drop of your own blood. Ew.

The pine cones are the targets of fire seeds. Being able to use the spell-like ability without components does not get you out of needing a valid target. Therefore this is not an exception. If a phoenix uses a version of the spell that can be targeted on its own blood, then this is presumably a variant of the spell, and also not an exception to the lack of components for spell-like abilities.

On a similar note, a creature that casts disintegrate as a spell-like ability still needs to be able to move it's hands to aim the spell.

True, but again, this does not mean the spell-ability has a component. The ray springing from your pointing finger is an effect of the spell, in addition to the fact that the spell (normally) has a somatic component. The creature could use the ability without being able to point its finger, but it would be to no effect.

Technically, this also implies that the spell has no effect if used by a creature without any fingers, but I suspect all of these conclusions are probably unintended side-effects of what was intended as flavor text anyway.

 

[LokiDR]

True, but again, this does not mean the spell-ability has a component. The ray springing from your pointing finger is an effect of the spell, in addition to the fact that the spell (normally) has a somatic component. The creature could use the ability without being able to point its finger, but it would be to no effect.

Technically, this also implies that the spell has no effect if used by a creature without any fingers, but I suspect all of these conclusions are probably unintended side-effects of what was intended as flavor text anyway.

A character who is tied up and has disintegrate as a spell-like ability does not need to gesture and can cast the spell.

The fact that the beam springs from the caster's finger seems a bit out of place. I would just have the beam spring from the caster in general. A targeting gesture might well be considered the somatic component of the spell.

 

[Mark Chance]

Technically, this also implies that [disintigrate] has no effect if used by a creature without any fingers....

I know a beholder that begs to differ.

 

[LokiDR]

I know a beholder that begs to differ.

The beholder has eye-rays, not a simple "disintegrate spell like ability". Any specific creature can override the general rule.