Polymorph and Spell-Like Abilities

[Caliber]

Okay, so here goes. I (a 9th level Wizard) cast Polymorph Other on an Uthak (not sure on the spelling.)

Now Uthaks apparently have Dispel Magic as a Spell-Like Ability. I turn the Uthak into a Frog. The DM tells me it casts Dispel Magic and returns to its original form. At this point everyone goes ape-poop.

A giant discussion breaks out (something all too common, but that is not the point here) on whether or not the Uthak turned Frog can actually cast Dispel Magic.

Looking up Dispel Magic, it says that the creature polymorphed retains all Spell-Like Abilities. But it also says that to cast spells, the creature needs humanlike hands and humanlike mouth (assuming those components are needed)

So, do Spell-Like Abilities require components? I voted yes. Spell-Like Abilities are supposedly the same as Spells, and although it doesn't address the requirement for components, I didn't see it say that they were NOT required.

In the end we decided the frog couldn't utilize its Dispel Magic ability, and we flushed it down the toilet.

Were we right or wrong?

 

[Metalsmith]

You were Wrong. That poor little monster.

Page 7 of the Monster Manual.

Spell-Like abilities work just like spells (though they are not spells and so have no verbal, somantic, material focuses or XP compnents)

If they did require those things, then I'd summon up demons all day long for my fighter friends to kill with impunity. The ones that get away, would have to get jobs to pay for the Bus Fare to go back to whatever dark plane of hell I draged them from.


Metalsmith

 

[Gromm]

Spell like abilities have no components, thats what makes them different than spells. Otherwise they follow all the same rules, AoO, Conc checks, etc.