Hiding and SLA's

[Quidam]

If a warlock is hiding in an area of shadowy illumination and uses a spell-like ability (which require only somatic components) which has no visible origin (unlike the beam of an eldritch blast), what effect does that have on the status of the warlock as hidden?

Is his location automatically revealed to the target? To all? If not, would another hide check be required? What would the modifiers be? Sniping rules don't exactly apply, as there's no tell-tale ammunition. I suppose the same question applies to spells cast with no verbal components and no tell-tale visible ray.

 

[lukelightning]

I don't know the official rule, but my ad hoc sense tells me to give the affected targets another spot check at +2; another because they should have gotten a chance the moment they could possibly see you, and +2 because you are gesturing so you may not be optimally hid (movement draws the eye).

Of course this might just be "oh look, that warlock over there must be the one that clobbered us with these black tentacles that are killing us..."

 

[Dross]

I'd also look at a Listen check.

We don't use warlocks, but general casting requires a clear use of the voice, no whispers, so it is possible to hear the caster. A successful check may give a bonus. I'm aware that moving 1/2 your speed increases the chance of being spotted by 5, so a +2 for arm waving is an option

How well you identify where the warlock is casting from by sound depends on your roll though.

 

[SadisticFishing]

Good luck identifying the somatic components with a listen check

Yeah, one cool thing about warlocks is the complete lack of verbal components.

 

[Quidam]

I don't know the official rule, but my ad hoc sense tells me to give the affected targets another spot check at +2; another because they should have gotten a chance the moment they could possibly see you, and +2 because you are gesturing so you may not be optimally hid (movement draws the eye).

This goes along with my instinct, though I'd apply a -2 penalty to the hide check rather than a +2 to the spot.