question re: spell-like abilities and spellcaster level

[Devon]

Hi, folks,

This is something of a spinoff of my question re: characters with spellcasting levels.

Is there some specific way that a creatures' spellcasting level (for spell-like abilities, not nexessarily for being a fully-vested spellcaster of that level) is figured from its hit dice or characteristics?

How come a beholder (11 HD, Cha 15) casts spells as a 15th-level sorceror, while a Dryad (2 HD, Cha 18) can:

use dimension door as cast by a 7th-level sorcerer to reach their own oak tree. A dryad can use charm person three times per day, as cast by a 4th-level sorcerer

Are the spellcaster level decisions simply made to serve the creator's idea of how powerful the abilities should be?

- Devon

 

[Krishnath]

Actually I think it has something to do with the spells level, not the creatures HD.

 

[Devon]

So, do they tend to list the spellcaster level as the minimum level for a given spell?

- Devon

 

[keb]

So, do they tend to list the spellcaster level as the minimum level for a given spell?

Not always. The Kraken can cast control weather as a 9th-level druid even though a real 9th-level druid would not have access to 7th-level spells.