"Work Together " Spell-like Abilities

[RedShirtNo5]

Some creatures can work together in order to generate a spell-like ability.

For example:

Once per day three blue slaadi working together can produce chaos hammer (save DC 16) as the spell cast by a 15th-level sorcerer.

I'd appreciate suggestions on how such "work together" spell-like abilities are supposed to be adjudicated.

Would each creature need to use an action, or would just one creature need to use an action to trigger the effect as long as the other creatures are willing?

Assume both players and DM prefer to have intiative rolled individually for each opponent. Would the creatures need to delay or otherwise arrange to take their actions "simultaneously"?In the same round? Do the creatures that are working together need to be designated by the first creature that takes its action?

Is there any restriction on where the creatures need to be? Touching? Within spell range of each other? Within spell range of the target?

-RedShirt

 

[Dr. Zoom]

I'd appreciate suggestions on how such "work together" spell-like abilities are supposed to be adjudicated.

Would each creature need to use an action, or would just one creature need to use an action to trigger the effect as long as the other creatures are willing?

Each creature would need to use an action. Most of these effects would require a standard action.

Assume both players and DM prefer to have intiative rolled individually for each opponent. Would the creatures need to delay or otherwise arrange to take their actions "simultaneously"?In the same round?

It is like the Aid Another action. Two creatures "aid" the third, and then the effect happens. It does not require them to delay to go "at the same time." It would all take place within one round of the first creature's action.

Do the creatures that are working together need to be designated by the first creature that takes its action?

Not sure what you mean here.

Is there any restriction on where the creatures need to be? Touching? Within spell range of each other? Within spell range of the target?

They would have to be within spell range of the target and have line of sight. Beyond that, the only restrictions would be specified in the ability description in the MM. The Slaadi description lists no restrictions, such as touching each other.