So I need Mordenkainen's Disjunction to break Binding?

[irdeggman]

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.

No it is not.

See my quote from PHB

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

Add to that the Rules Compendium (which addresses spells with casting times of less than a standard action).

The rule appears to be:

It is a standard action unless specified otherwiswe in either the SLA description or the spell description.

Rules Compendium trumps earlier sources but that does not mean it addresses everything, in this case it addresses spells with a casting time of less than 1 standard action.

 

[Runestar]

"checks rules compendium"

So it does...

Which means the ultraloth has an ability which will typically never see use in normal combat.

 

[Shin Okada]

Hm. So spell-like abilities based on spells need same amount of time to use, then.

By the way, does that mean various Summon abilities of outsiders still have "1 round" casting time? They don't have the spells of the same name. Yet the glossary description says "as though casting a summon monster spell."

 

[Thanee]

You mean something like the "Summon Devils" (XX% chance to succeed) ability?

I think that just takes a Standard Action. It's not an SLA that simply mimics a spell, nor has it a different activation time noted in the description.

Bye
Thanee

 

[irdeggman]

Thanee has a point.

But it all depends on the specific SLA in question.

If the reference is "as though casting a summopn monster spell" then you have your reference to a spell to use for the casting time.

My MM glossary says "much as though casting a summon monster spell" to me that is different that "as though casting a summon monster spell". One is a vague guide the other is a direct comparison.

So go with the specifics.