Deactivating a supernatural ability? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Deactivating a supernatural ability? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Geissmann
10-20-04, 09:40 AM Can a character willfully deactivate a Supernatural ability? I know it can be suppressed by a dispel, and since it is a power that you have control over it, can't you deactivate it?
Geissmann
10-21-04, 12:58 PM Hello?

Anyone know the answer?
tarkin
10-21-04, 01:17 PM It would depend on the ability, I think. For example, being incorporeal probably would not be de-activateable.

Do you have one in mind?
Kyaran
10-21-04, 01:26 PM I'm not familiar with a rule stating whether or not constant abilities can be turned off.

Since there are plenty of Su abilities that are (at least somewhat) negative, I believe the powers you can disable would require use to activate or specifically mention turning them off. Examples: a spectre's unnatural aura vs. a dragon's breath weapon vs. the beholder's antimagic cone.

As a general ruling, I'd say they don't turn off if they don't mention either usage terms (once per round, free action, etc.) or a method of activating/disabling. Although, I'm pretty sure someone could bring me a case where I'd agree the specific power is at will instead of continuous.

What particular Su ability are you asking about?
Geissmann
10-21-04, 05:25 PM I am referring to the Elocator's Scorn Earth ability (XPH).

From the 3.5 SRD:
Scorn Earth (Su): At 1st level, an elocater’s feet lift from the ground. From now on, she can float a foot above the ground. Instead of walking she glides along, unconcerned with the hard earth or difficult terrain. While she remains within 1 foot of a flat surface of any solid or liquid, she can take normal actions and make normal attacks, and can move at her normal speed (she can even “run” at four times her normal speed). However, at distances higher than 1 foot above any surface, her speed diminishes to 10 feet per round.

Emphasis mine, to highlight what I consider to be the two most important phrases. Since the Elocator CAN (is able to) float, shouldn't she be able to not do so? Yet it also says that instead of walking, she glides. What do you think?
Kyaran
10-21-04, 05:33 PM In my book, words like 'can' and 'may' mean you have the ability to do so, not that you 'must'. The 'instead of' defines how the power works.

So, you can float instead of walking. But you don't have to. ;)
obrysii
10-21-04, 08:36 PM In that situation you can turn it off.

Another one you can turn it off but no one really realizes is with Medusas, as it says at the beginning of the book, for Gaze Attacks, that they can be deactivated at will.

Just like a Dragon's Frightful Prescence.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Geissmann 10-20-04, 09:40 AM	Can a character willfully deactivate a Supernatural ability? I know it can be suppressed by a dispel, and since it is a power that you have control over it, can't you deactivate it?
Geissmann 10-21-04, 12:58 PM	Hello? Anyone know the answer?
tarkin 10-21-04, 01:17 PM	It would depend on the ability, I think. For example, being incorporeal probably would not be de-activateable. Do you have one in mind?
Kyaran 10-21-04, 01:26 PM	I'm not familiar with a rule stating whether or not constant abilities can be turned off. Since there are plenty of Su abilities that are (at least somewhat) negative, I believe the powers you can disable would require use to activate or specifically mention turning them off. Examples: a spectre's unnatural aura vs. a dragon's breath weapon vs. the beholder's antimagic cone. As a general ruling, I'd say they don't turn off if they don't mention either usage terms (once per round, free action, etc.) or a method of activating/disabling. Although, I'm pretty sure someone could bring me a case where I'd agree the specific power is at will instead of continuous. What particular Su ability are you asking about?
Geissmann 10-21-04, 05:25 PM	I am referring to the Elocator's Scorn Earth ability (XPH). From the 3.5 SRD: Scorn Earth (Su): At 1st level, an elocater’s feet lift from the ground. From now on, she can float a foot above the ground. Instead of walking she glides along, unconcerned with the hard earth or difficult terrain. While she remains within 1 foot of a flat surface of any solid or liquid, she can take normal actions and make normal attacks, and can move at her normal speed (she can even “run” at four times her normal speed). However, at distances higher than 1 foot above any surface, her speed diminishes to 10 feet per round. Emphasis mine, to highlight what I consider to be the two most important phrases. Since the Elocator CAN (is able to) float, shouldn't she be able to not do so? Yet it also says that instead of walking, she glides. What do you think?
Kyaran 10-21-04, 05:33 PM	In my book, words like 'can' and 'may' mean you have the ability to do so, not that you 'must'. The 'instead of' defines how the power works. So, you can float instead of walking. But you don't have to. ;)
obrysii 10-21-04, 08:36 PM	In that situation you can turn it off. Another one you can turn it off but no one really realizes is with Medusas, as it says at the beginning of the book, for Gaze Attacks, that they can be deactivated at will. Just like a Dragon's Frightful Prescence.