Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Catryn008 06-23-06, 03:05 PM	Ok we've got an arguement going about what "at will" really means. I say "at will" means basically the creature has unlimited uses of the Supernatural Ability, or Supernatural Qualities, etc. BUT they are standard actions (unless the description says otherwise of course) and go on the turn of the creature. The arguement is that "at will" means the creature can use it WHENEVER they want in a round, whether its the turn of the creature or not. Perhaps even multiple times in a round. I can't seem to locate the description of "at will" can someone point me to the book(s)? Thanks
DubhFaolan 06-23-06, 03:11 PM	So far as I know, an 'at will' ability takes the normal amount of time to use, the creature simply has an unlimited number of uses. I don't think this has ever been defined anywhere, as it would generally be considered to come under the 'self-evident' category of answers ;)
Catryn008 06-23-06, 03:13 PM	*laugh* Yeah leave it to my group to bring up another interpretation!
Arganis 06-23-06, 03:20 PM	Read the entry for Special Abilities in the SRD. It's fairly clear that "at will" is a distinction related to the number of times per day a Spell-like or Supernatural ability can be used. To sum the relevant parts of that section, unless otherwise stated in the ability description: Extraordinary = Free action Spell-like = Standard action Supernatural = Standard action With respect to when in the combat round you can perform something, even free actions occur on your turn, except for speaking. Speaking, Releasing a Readied Action, and taking an Immediate Action are the only thing you can do when it's not your turn. The ability has to say "at will as an Immediate action" for your players to be right, not just "at will". And even then, you can only take one Immediate action per round (and it consumes the next Swift action you could take). EDIT: Misread part of the OP. Clarified.
Shaggy_Shaggs 06-23-06, 03:24 PM	So give them succubi. Lots and lots of succubi. They get Charm Monster at will -- spam that sucker a hundred times per round per monster if you have to, till everyone has failed their saves and are the succubi's new best friends. (Remember that Charm Monster is not Dominate Person, but, unless the characters are the types to use lethal force against their real friends, you can always start docking them rp xp if they try to kill their new ones.) Then start draining levels. Any time someone tries to take a swing at one of the succubi -- oh look, succubi have Greater Teleport at will too. "I'm sorry, she teleports out of the way before your sword connects, try again." Rinse and repeat until TPK. They'll probably get the message.
Shaggy_Shaggs 06-23-06, 03:35 PM	Just a note, I would normally never recommend an intentional TPK, I am a firm believer that DMs should not use their authority to be incorrigable arseholes. And certainly I'm against cheating and calling Rule 0 to claim it's not. However, I'm an even more firm believer in the idea that stupidity should be painful. Your players are being intentionally stupid trying to benefit from it, so I say crush them for it.
Bulletproof_Condom 06-23-06, 04:22 PM	"At will" just means unlimited uses per day. Using the ability takes the same amount of time that it would if you only had it once per day.
Cifer 06-23-06, 04:55 PM	At will could also be translated into 14400 uses/day or some more with haste or time stop.