At Will Abilities / Spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

At Will Abilities / Spells [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Malkon
02-13-08, 10:27 PM My current group has a question about "At-Will" abilities, for example, a Paladin's Detect Evil.

I have been under the impression that "At-Will" is a term used to describe the number of times an ability is available to the monster or PC. At Will meaning unlimited uses.

Some in the group believe in this definition but also believe that At-Will makes the ability a Free Action or even Immediate Action for the caster. I Disagree, citing this from the Paladin description:

"Detect Evil (Sp): At will, a paladin can use detect evil, as the spell." (Bolding is my emphasis)

My interpretation is that "as the spell" means the ability functions in all ways, including casting time, expensive material components, verbal, and somatic components, as the referenced spell does.

Can anyone clarify this for us? We've searched online, within the forums, and in all of our source books but can't seem to find this spelled out. Maybe we've missed it, but I thank everyone in advance for the help/advice they may give.
LeeAlucard
02-13-08, 10:39 PM My interpretation is that "as the spell" means the ability functions in all ways, including casting time, expensive material components, verbal, and somatic components, as the referenced spell does.

Look up the definition of spell-like ability. The casting time is the same, but all material, somatic, experience, and verbal components are removed.

After all, how silly would it be for a black dragon to have to fumble around in a spell component pouch?

A glabrezu would never grant its monthly wish to a mortal if it cost him 5000 experience points every time he did.

Casting time is the same, though. You're right about that; and it still functions in the same manner.
weasel0
02-14-08, 12:09 AM At will is more of a way of saying, use it willy-nilly ignoring the costs. (though with great power comes great.... :P)
PenderGrass
02-15-08, 03:25 PM (though with great power comes great.... :P)
Tongue?

With great power comes great tongue???

Cool.

:dragon:
*****
rimble
02-15-08, 04:31 PM I think the SRD entry for Spell-Like Abilities answers your questions pretty clearly:

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm
mvincent
02-18-08, 01:22 PM I think the SRD entry for Spell-Like Abilities answers your questions pretty clearly:

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm"A spell-like ability usually has a limit on how often it can be used. A spell-like ability that can be used at will has no use limit."

"At will" does not really have an effect other than denoting unlimited uses per day.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Malkon 02-13-08, 10:27 PM	My current group has a question about "At-Will" abilities, for example, a Paladin's Detect Evil. I have been under the impression that "At-Will" is a term used to describe the number of times an ability is available to the monster or PC. At Will meaning unlimited uses. Some in the group believe in this definition but also believe that At-Will makes the ability a Free Action or even Immediate Action for the caster. I Disagree, citing this from the Paladin description: "Detect Evil (Sp): At will, a paladin can use detect evil, as the spell." (Bolding is my emphasis) My interpretation is that "as the spell" means the ability functions in all ways, including casting time, expensive material components, verbal, and somatic components, as the referenced spell does. Can anyone clarify this for us? We've searched online, within the forums, and in all of our source books but can't seem to find this spelled out. Maybe we've missed it, but I thank everyone in advance for the help/advice they may give.
LeeAlucard 02-13-08, 10:39 PM	My interpretation is that "as the spell" means the ability functions in all ways, including casting time, expensive material components, verbal, and somatic components, as the referenced spell does. Look up the definition of spell-like ability. The casting time is the same, but all material, somatic, experience, and verbal components are removed. After all, how silly would it be for a black dragon to have to fumble around in a spell component pouch? A glabrezu would never grant its monthly wish to a mortal if it cost him 5000 experience points every time he did. Casting time is the same, though. You're right about that; and it still functions in the same manner.
weasel0 02-14-08, 12:09 AM	At will is more of a way of saying, use it willy-nilly ignoring the costs. (though with great power comes great.... :P)
PenderGrass 02-15-08, 03:25 PM	(though with great power comes great.... :P) Tongue? With great power comes great tongue??? Cool. :dragon: *****
rimble 02-15-08, 04:31 PM	I think the SRD entry for Spell-Like Abilities answers your questions pretty clearly: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm
mvincent 02-18-08, 01:22 PM	I think the SRD entry for Spell-Like Abilities answers your questions pretty clearly: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/specialAbilities.htm"A spell-like ability usually has a limit on how often it can be used. A spell-like ability that can be used at will has no use limit." "At will" does not really have an effect other than denoting unlimited uses per day.