Rules of the game (SLA part 2)

[Li Shenron]

All About Spell-Like Abilities (Part Two)

I was particularly pleased by the sentence that a spell-like ability is "sufficiently different from spellcasting so it that doesn't allow a foe to identify the spell-like ability". I had some discussion recently about whether it could be noticed or not when a Paladin uses Detect Evil, and this article clears it out.

 

[shilsen]

The only thing about the article that was really new to me was the bit about not being able to counterspell SLAs, but being able to counterspell them with a dispel because that's not really a counterspell according to Skip. Is there anything in the core rules that supports being able to counterspell SLAs with a dispel?

 

[drnuncheon]

Not that I can find - in fact, the spell specifically says "When dispel magic is used in this way, the spell targets a spellcaster and is cast as a counterspell."

J

 

[Silverglass]

I have always allowed the use of Dispel Magic in this manner because I have always read the section under counterspelling as showing that you are not casting a "counterspell" with dispel magic because that includes "altering it slightly to create a counterspell effect" but just throwing a dispel magic as a counterspell attempt at the caster in an attempt to cancel their spell as they cast it.

 

[Li Shenron]

I think that SLA have always been subject to dispelling (in DMG, when they are compared to supernatural and extraordinary abilities), including dispelling with a readied action. You may not call it "counterspelling" but the effect is the same.

 

[3d6]

From the SRD dispel magic entry:
Dispel magic can dispel (but not counter) spell-like effects just as it does spells.

I would imagine, since dispel magic specifically notes that it cannot be used to counter spell-like abilities, that it can't be used to counter spell-like abilities.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I would imagine, since dispel magic specifically notes that it cannot be used to counter spell-like abilities, that it can't be used to counter spell-like abilities.

Bah! Trifle not the Sage with such inconsequentials!

-Hyp.

 

[shilsen]

Bah! Trifle not the Sage with such inconsequentials!

-Hyp.

 

[mikebr99]

And how can you "ready" to attack something when he uses a SLA?
From WOTC:

A spell-like ability has no verbal, somatic, material, focus, or XP components. Using a spell-like ability is a purely mental action, albeit one that requires enough concentration to provoke attacks of opportunity.

What are you using as your trigger? "I poke him when he stops and thinks!"

great...


Smart Vrock: "I'll use my move equiv action to 'fake' thinking, and drop my guard because that barbarian is hesitating... and then I'll make images of myself, defensively."

Damage at the start of the round doesn't effect casting or SLAing later in the round.

YMMV


Mike

 

[Hypersmurf]

What are you using as your trigger? "I poke him when he stops and thinks!"

Tome and Blood, from memory, reiterated that even a Still, Silent spell provokes an AoO, since "the concentration spellcasting requires is unmistakable".

If it provokes an AoO, it should be a viable Ready trigger.

-Hyp.