[Spell-like ability] which stat ?

[Zhar]

Hello everybody

This questions come with the reading of the Fey Legacy (or others heritage feats) feat. The character gains spells like Confusion, so there is a DD.
1) For a sorcerer the stat used is obviously CHA, but for a Cleric, would you select CHA or WIS, or INT for a Wizard ?

2) And, if you character got a Spell focus feat (let's say in enchantment), would you add this bonus (in addition of the +1 bonus gained with Fey heritage) to the DD of the Confusion spell-like ability ?

++
Thanks

Zhar

 

[freyar]

1) I don't know that feat in particular, but usually spell-like abilities have Cha-based DCs. In fact, the "monster" section of the SRD says:

The saving throw (if any) against a spell-like ability is 10 + the level of the spell the ability resembles or duplicates + the creature’s Cha modifier.

I believe the rationale is that the SLA is inherent in the force of the creature's (or character's) personality.

2) I'm not sure if there's a consensus on this. For the monster conversions in the Creature Catalog, we've always said that Spell Focus only affects actual spells and not SLAs. Part of the reasoning is that the metamagic spells have duplicate versions for SLAs (and, yeah, SF isn't metamagic, but still).

 

[Runestar]

1) By default, it would be based off cha, though I think it would not be unreasonable to let the DC be determined by your best mental stat, since classes such as clerics and wizards have little reason to invest in cha.

2) Spell focus affects only spells, not SLAs, IIRC. Again, I am not sure if there is anything game-breaking about doing so (heck, even fiendish codex bucked the trend by having demon lords take spell focus feats and applying the benefits to their SLAs).

 

[Flatus Maximus]

...we've always said that Spell Focus only affects actual spells and not SLAs. Part of the reasoning is that the metamagic spells have duplicate versions for SLAs (and, yeah, SF isn't metamagic, but still).

Agreed: Cha-based, and use Ability Focus (Monster Manual) instead of Spell Focus.