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<blockquote data-quote="sledged" data-source="post: 1706812" data-attributes="member: 17045">Nope.&nbsp; The ability description is that descriptive text following the ability name.&nbsp; The spell description is that formatted descriptive text following a spell name.&nbsp; It's just that simple.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Two words can make all the difference, especially in a language where the mere placement of punctuation alone can change the whole meaning of phrases.&nbsp; If &quot;or spell&quot; had been included in the combat section under &quot;spell-like abilities&quot; (or removed from the magic section), Mulkhoran would have never posted his question in the first place.&nbsp;&nbsp;For another example of how the presence or absence of two words create conflicting rules, look up the brilliant energy weapon quality in the DMG and the SRD.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The terms &quot;spell-like ability&quot; and &quot;spell&quot; have been precisely defined.&nbsp; Tacking on the word &quot;description&quot; does not cause one to be included with the other.&nbsp; Reinforce this with the fact that the core rules explicitly say that spell-like abilities are not spells, and you have two seperate and distinct terms.&nbsp; The rules of D&amp;D function primarily on the fact that terms and phrases have been so narrowly defined.&nbsp; The terms help the rules to refer to a specific aspect or concept without confusing it with others; though even then it doesn't guarantee clarity for the reader.&nbsp; The level-related terms alone have caused much confusion (i.e. character level, class level, ECL, level adjustment, caster level, etc...).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &quot;The casting time of a spell-like ability is 1 standard action, unless the ability description notes otherwise.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;That's a very straight-forward overrulling.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; No?&nbsp; You asked for exact locations, and I provided you with exact locations.&nbsp; What more were you looking for?</blockquote>

[QUOTE="sledged, post: 1706812, member: 17045"] Nope. The ability description is that descriptive text following the ability name. The spell description is that formatted descriptive text following a spell name. It's just that simple. Two words can make all the difference, especially in a language where the mere placement of punctuation alone can change the whole meaning of phrases. If "or spell" had been included in the combat section under "spell-like abilities" (or removed from the magic section), Mulkhoran would have never posted his question in the first place. For another example of how the presence or absence of two words create conflicting rules, look up the brilliant energy weapon quality in the DMG and the SRD. The terms "spell-like ability" and "spell" have been precisely defined. Tacking on the word "description" does not cause one to be included with the other. Reinforce this with the fact that the core rules explicitly say that spell-like abilities are not spells, and you have two seperate and distinct terms. The rules of D&D function primarily on the fact that terms and phrases have been so narrowly defined. The terms help the rules to refer to a specific aspect or concept without confusing it with others; though even then it doesn't guarantee clarity for the reader. The level-related terms alone have caused much confusion (i.e. character level, class level, ECL, level adjustment, caster level, etc...). "The casting time of a spell-like ability is 1 standard action, unless the ability description notes otherwise." That's a very straight-forward overrulling. No? You asked for exact locations, and I provided you with exact locations. What more were you looking for? [/QUOTE]

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