Caster Level of Certain Spell Like Abilities? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Caster Level of Certain Spell Like Abilities? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Shade
12-01-03, 09:04 AM Question to which there may be an easy answer but I haven't found it:

I don't have a Monster Manual in front of me, but I believe there are some creatures with a form (e.g. cold or fire) that if touched or attacked, results in damage to the attacker. If that form is a spell like ability or Su., does spell resistance of the toucher apply? If so, what is the caster level of the creature who's touched? Just HD? Typically, those "form" type abilities do not specify a caster level. This has not yet come up in my game, but may in the future.
kreynolds
12-01-03, 09:45 AM Originally posted by Shade
If that form is a spell like ability or Su., does spell resistance of the toucher apply?

SR applies to spell-like abilities, but not supernatural abilities.

Originally posted by Shade
If so, what is the caster level of the creature who's touched? Just HD?

I believe that's generally the case.

Originally posted by Shade
Typically, those "form" type abilities do not specify a caster level.

I can't actually think of any abilities like the ones you describe being spell-like, but rather supernatural. On the other hand, I can't think of any creatures off the top of my head that have said abilities anyway. :)
Sancus
12-01-03, 10:23 AM The only one that comes to mind for me is the Fire elemental, and that's Extraordinary, not Supernatural or Spell-Like.

I would assume that something with a form that causes damage if you touch it is usually extraordinary like a fire elemental's, and if not, it's supernatural and explained specifically in the stat block for that creature which usually ends up with the Caster Level being equal to HD.

In the case of a fire elemental, you're affected as if you were attacked by its Burn ability, which has a full description.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Shade 12-01-03, 09:04 AM	Question to which there may be an easy answer but I haven't found it: I don't have a Monster Manual in front of me, but I believe there are some creatures with a form (e.g. cold or fire) that if touched or attacked, results in damage to the attacker. If that form is a spell like ability or Su., does spell resistance of the toucher apply? If so, what is the caster level of the creature who's touched? Just HD? Typically, those "form" type abilities do not specify a caster level. This has not yet come up in my game, but may in the future.
kreynolds 12-01-03, 09:45 AM	Originally posted by Shade If that form is a spell like ability or Su., does spell resistance of the toucher apply? SR applies to spell-like abilities, but not supernatural abilities. Originally posted by Shade If so, what is the caster level of the creature who's touched? Just HD? I believe that's generally the case. Originally posted by Shade Typically, those "form" type abilities do not specify a caster level. I can't actually think of any abilities like the ones you describe being spell-like, but rather supernatural. On the other hand, I can't think of any creatures off the top of my head that have said abilities anyway. :)
Sancus 12-01-03, 10:23 AM	The only one that comes to mind for me is the Fire elemental, and that's Extraordinary, not Supernatural or Spell-Like. I would assume that something with a form that causes damage if you touch it is usually extraordinary like a fire elemental's, and if not, it's supernatural and explained specifically in the stat block for that creature which usually ends up with the Caster Level being equal to HD. In the case of a fire elemental, you're affected as if you were attacked by its Burn ability, which has a full description.