So I need Mordenkainen's Disjunction to break Binding?

[Shin Okada]

Usually, Binding is not used in combat because it's casting time is 1 minuets. But some critters like Ultroloth can use it as a spell-like ability, thus as a standard action.

The spell says,

You can’t dispel a binding spell with dispel magic or a similar effect, though an antimagic field or Mordenkainen's Disjunction affects it normally.

Antimagic field only suppress the effects while the victim is within the field. So Mordenkainen's Disjunction is the only option to end the effect? Or other spells like Limited Wish, Miracle or Wish may work?

As CR 13 Ultroloth uses this ability, requiring Mordenkainen's Disjunction for the party of appropriate level seems to be too harsh, and may slow the game down drastically, I am afraid.

 

[Vorput]

By the rules, that's correct.

I'd probably make it a binding effect located on the Ultroloth's body (like in a gem, or its sword, or something). So killing the creature and breaking its stuff would release the trapped creature. Mostly cause of how irritating an ability is is to counter...

For the same effect (that only lasts for the battle), you could give him Maze.

 

[frankthedm]

Uhm...

A spell-like ability takes the same amount of time to complete as the spell that it mimics (usually 1 standard action) unless otherwise stated. Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled. In all other ways, a spell-like ability functions just like a spell:

 

[Shin Okada]

Uhm...

A spell-like ability takes the same amount of time to complete as the spell that it mimics (usually 1 standard action) unless otherwise stated. Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled. In all other ways, a spell-like ability functions just like a spell:

What is the source of that text? That description is different from those in my PHB, DMG, MM and Rules Compendium. Were there any revisions?

 

[frankthedm]

SRD for spell like ablities. Supernatural abilties are the ones that default to a standard action.

 

[Shin Okada]

SRD for spell like ablities. Supernatural abilties are the ones that default to a standard action.

Hmm. So it seems that only SRD states so, or at least only SRD has that clarification. Interesting.

 

[Runestar]

So looks like we are back to using limited wish to duplicate greater geas...

 

[irdeggman]

PHB pg 180 (Collector's version)

"A spell-like ability has a casting time of 1 standard action unless noted otherwise in the ability or spell description."

Rules compendium talks about having a quicker than standard casting time if the spell can be cast quicker than a standad action - so the implication is there that it duplicates casting time.

 

[Shin Okada]

I have cross-checked the MM and RC, and found that this issue is rather complicated and problematic.

MM P.315,

Using a spell-like ability is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so while threatened provoke attack of opportunity.

Rules Compendium P.118,

Using a spell-like ability usually takes 1 standard action and provokes attacks of opportunity unless otherwise noted. If the spell-like ability duplicates a spell that has a casting time of less than 1 standard action, the spell-like ability has that casting time.

And Player's Handbook v.3.5 Errata (PHBErrata02172006.pdf) says,

The Monster Manual is the primary source for monster descriptions, templates, and supernatural, extraordinary, and spell-like abilities.

So, only PHB (and SRD) mentions to refer spell's description regarding required action type. And MM is the primal source for checking spell-like abilities.

And if we take "the newest one is right" theory, RC's description stands. Of course, we can argue that when the spell of the same name have longer casting time, it can considered to be "noted otherwise" case or not "usual" case, though.

Frankly speaking, I am not sure what was WotC design team's final consensus. MM 3 Ultroloth entry says "If the battle hangs in the balance, it uses symbol of death to disrupt the enemy." But I can't believe that Ultroloth can spend 10 minutes in the battlefield for scribing a symbol.

 

[Runestar]

Actually, it seems like PHB is the source governing use of SLAs with respect to PCs, while the MM covers SLA usage for npcs.

So for a PC, using a SLA is a standard action or its original casting time, whichever is longer.

For a monster being pitted against the party, the casting time is always 1 standard action, regardless of its actual casting time.