Spell Focus and spell-like abilities

Shade

Monster Junkie
I sent the following e-mail to Sage Advice, but figured I'd increase my chances by asking it in other forums. I'm looking for an official stance, not opinions (I've got plenty of those :D).

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This question has been bothering me for awhile now, and I can't seem to find the answer in any of the rules FAQs or articles on wizards.com. Can Spell Focus and Greater Spell Focus be used with spell-like abilities? I've seen these feats given to monsters with spell-like abilities (but no spellcasting ability) on occasion, but that doesn't necessarily indicate that it is a correct application.

The feat states "Add +1 to the Difficulty Class for all saving throws against spells from the school of magic you select." Unlike a feat such as Combat Casting which specifically indicates that it applies to both spells and spell-like abilities, Spell Focus only states "spells". However, since spell-like abilities are still from certain schools of magic, it would seem logical that Spell Focus would apply. On the other hand, metamagic feats do not apply to spell-like abilities, so it also seems logical that Spell Focus would not apply either.

On a related note, when applying the Ability Focus feat to spell-like abilities, does it apply to only one spell-like ability (such as fireball) or to all spell-like abilities? The former would seem to make the most sense in terms of game balance. If the monster has a spell-like ability that is not in the normal spell-like abilities entry (such as the marut's fists), should all aspects of that spell-like ability gain the +2 bonus on DC (as is the case with the marut)?
 

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Nope, Spell Focus doesn't work on spell-like abilities. That's precisely what Ability Focus is for.

And yes, Ability Focus only works on a single ability.

Bye
Thanee
 

Thanee said:
Nope, Spell Focus doesn't work on spell-like abilities. That's precisely what Ability Focus is for.

And yes, Ability Focus only works on a single ability.

Bye
Thanee

Proof? ;)

Sorry...I'm just trying to find the actual, stated rules or clarifications that indicate that fact. I've found plenty of conflicting evidence in official sources.
 

The feat descriptions really are proof enough. ;)

Also you could read Complete Arcane p. 7, 2nd column, 1st paragraph.

Bye
Thanee
 

Shade said:

Well ...

SRD said:
SPELL FOCUS [GENERAL]
Choose a school of magic.
Benefit: Add +1 to the Difficulty Class for all saving throws against spells from the school of magic you select.
Special: You can gain this feat multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new school of magic.

Is a spell-like ability a spell? No.

Does spell-focus therefore apply? No.

Spell Focus applied to a spell-like ability is an error. Not a terribly egregious one, as things go, but an error nonetheless
 

Shade said:
Proof? Sorry...I'm just trying to find the actual, stated rules or clarifications that indicate that fact. I've found plenty of conflicting evidence in official sources.

From what I've seen, opinion from Thanee, Patryn or Hyp is far a more reliable and accurate guide to the correct rule that anything official.


glass.
 

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