paralysis and spell-like powers?

[DizzyKungFu]

Does anybody know how this works, according to the official rules (or errata/sage advice/etc.)? A character that is paralyzed or held can still take "purely mental actions, such as casting a spell with no components". Does that mean that spell-like abilities could be used? Do spell-like abilities have "components"? E.g. could a drow paralyzed by a ghast still use their darkness?

 

[Jeremy]

Spell like abilities have no components as far as I can tell so yes it should be used, though darkness has it's own break down in that it's a touch spell.

How do you touch something when you are paralyzed? Strange.

I'd leave it to the DM to decide and not poke my head too far into that one as it's more likely NPC's will have spell-like abilities than PC's.

 

[DizzyKungFu]

Good point about darkness requiring a touch, so I'll change my example to the drow using their dancing lights.

I am the DM, so I do have to find out. Plenty of players want character races that have ECLs and spell-like abilities (like drow), so I kinda need to know.

 

[Crothian]

I think spell like abilities still need S and V componts. I just read pg 71 of the DMG, and it just says they are like spells.

 

[Jeremy]

MM pg 7:

"Spell-like abilities are magical and work just like spells (though they are not spells so have no verbal, somatic, matrerial, focus, or XP components). They go away in an antimagic field and are subject to spell resistance. ..... Using a spell-like ability is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so while threatened provokes an attack of opportunity."

Dunno how it provokes as you don't do anything.

"My eyes flash!"

"I take the opportunity to thwack you!"

"But I didn't do anything!!"

 

[AGGEMAM]

Dunno how it provokes as you don't do anything.

Presumably you close your eyes for a moment, concentrating on the essence of your being, to bring forth the desired effect.

This concentration also presumably makes you lower your guard, just for a moment, thereby provoking the AoO.

 

[DizzyKungFu]

Hahahaha!

So, you're saying that a paralyzed character that invokes a spell-like power provokes an AoO from anyone threatening him. BUT if he does nothing, they get no chance to AoO him? He's not moving an inch either way! Haha!

If that's really true, then the rules are very silly.

 

[kreynolds]

Presumably you close your eyes for a moment, concentrating on the essence of your being, to bring forth the desired effect.

That...that was just...beautiful.

 

[kreynolds]

Hahahaha!

I fail to see what's so funny. I'm a very funny guy. I know funny when I see it. I don't see funny.

So, you're saying that a paralyzed character that invokes a spell-like power provokes an AoO from anyone threatening him.

Yes.

BUT if he does nothing, they get no chance to AoO him?

Correct.

He's not moving an inch either way!

Correct.

Haha!

I still don't see funny.

If that's really true, then the rules are very silly.

No. What's funny is that you didn't notice this until now.

 

[Jeremy]

Pfft.

It's very funny that dropping your guard for a moment allows an attack to slip in and being paralyzed and having no guard at all does not.

You just haven't sucked on enough of your nitrous oxide today.

Screwy rules but they work.