at will actions? [Archive] - Wizards Community

at will actions? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Jeddith
03-11-07, 09:02 PM what sort of an action is an "at will"action. free action, standard? I'm having trouble finding it within the reference books I have. Also , does a command word have to be a standard action or is it a free action ? please help me decide what my players and creatures can do with "at will" and " on command" actions.
Jeddith
Dei
03-11-07, 09:12 PM I've always held that "At will" simply meant there was no limit on the action, it did not define the type of action. For example, a paladin can use detect evil "at will" meaning that he can cast the spell detect evil as many times a day as he wants but he must still complete the vocal and somatic components necessary for the spell and it still takes a standard action. If a creature had an "at will" ability to cast a spell such as Alter Fortune (PhB2) which is a free (or immediate action) then the same would apply, they could use it as many times per day they wished as a free action but would be limited to 1/round and would still have to pay any component costs (200 exp in this case). Using a command word though, is a free action as it is basically speaking normally, however note that many "command word" activated items must be held in the hand to be effective and drawing them will usually be a move action.
Thomar_of_Uointer
03-11-07, 10:35 PM Spell-Like Abilities (Sp)
Usually, a spell-like ability works just like the spell of that name. A few spell-like abilities are unique; these are explained in the text where they are described.
A spell-like ability has no verbal, somatic, or material component, nor does it require a focus or have an XP cost. The user activates it mentally. Armor never affects a spell-like ability’s use, even if the ability resembles an arcane spell with a somatic component.
A spell-like ability has a casting time of 1 standard action unless noted otherwise in the ability or spell description. Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled. In all other ways, a spell-like ability functions just like a spell:
Using a spell-like ability while threatened provokes attacks of opportunity. It is possible to make a Concentration check to use a spell-like ability defensively and avoid provoking an attack of opportunity. A spell-like ability can be disrupted just as a spell can be. Spell-like abilities are subject to spell resistance and to being dispelled by dispel magic. They do not function in areas where magic is suppressed or negated.
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.
For creatures with spell-like abilities, a designated caster level defines how difficult it is to dispel their spell-like effects and to define any level-dependent variables (such as range and duration) the abilities might have. The creature’s caster level never affects which spell-like abilities the creature has; sometimes the given caster level is lower than the level a spellcasting character would need to cast the spell of the same name. If no caster level is specified, the caster level is equal to the creature’s Hit Dice. The saving throw (if any) against a spell-like ability is:
10 + the level of the spell the ability resembles or duplicates + the creature’s Cha modifier.
Some spell-like abilities duplicate spells that work differently when cast by characters of different classes. A monster’s spell-like abilities are presumed to be the sorcerer/wizard versions. If the spell in question is not a sorcerer/wizard spell, then default to cleric, druid, bard, paladin, and ranger, in that order.
Some creatures are actually sorcerers of a sort. They cast arcane spells as sorcerers do, using components when required. In fact, an individual creature could have some spell-like abilities and also cast other spells as a sorcerer.

"At will" describes repeated usage, not type of usage. "Three times per day", or "once per week", are similar descriptors of usage.

A spell-like ability is typically cast as the spell it duplicates, a standard action for most spells. Monsters with the Quicken Spell-like Ability feat can use a spell-like ability as a swift action several times each day.
Onibi
03-14-07, 09:44 PM Monsters with the Quicken Spell-like Ability feat can use a spell-like ability as a swift action several times each day.

I had a question about this myself. The Balor has the feat Quicken Spell-like Ability (Telekinesis), but under its Spell-like Abilities, Telekinesis is still listed as at will. Does that mean the Balor can use quickened Telekinesis only 3 times a day, then must resort to using standard action Telekinesis? Or does the feat apply to its unlimited uses per day Telekinesis too?

The rules for the feat say you can only use the selected ability 3 times per day (or less if the ability can only be used less than 3 times per day), but at no point does it mention what happens when you can use it at will, or if you lose the ability to cast it at will because you selected to quicken it. Under its tactics by round, it says that it'll use quickened telekinesis during the 1st round, which it then repeats during the battle after its 4th round tactics.
DFoster
03-14-07, 10:06 PM The Balor would be able to use 3 quickened Telekinesis, the rest would have to be the non-quickened version. Of course he can use these uses up in any order he feels like, and he could use a quickened and a normal Telekinesis in one round.
Thomar_of_Uointer
03-15-07, 01:27 AM I had a question about this myself. The Balor has the feat Quicken Spell-like Ability (Telekinesis), but under its Spell-like Abilities, Telekinesis is still listed as at will. Does that mean the Balor can use quickened Telekinesis only 3 times a day, then must resort to using standard action Telekinesis? Or does the feat apply to its unlimited uses per day Telekinesis too?

The rules for the feat say you can only use the selected ability 3 times per day (or less if the ability can only be used less than 3 times per day), but at no point does it mention what happens when you can use it at will, or if you lose the ability to cast it at will because you selected to quicken it. Under its tactics by round, it says that it'll use quickened telekinesis during the 1st round, which it then repeats during the battle after its 4th round tactics.

As per the Quicken Spell-Like Ability feat description, you can only quicken it three times per day. You can use it as many times as you like, but only three of those uses (per day) can gain the benefit of being quickened.

The tactics fail to account for that. They also fail to note that only stupid balors will engage a party head-on without a small army of low-level evil outsiders to serve as meat shields.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Jeddith 03-11-07, 09:02 PM	what sort of an action is an "at will"action. free action, standard? I'm having trouble finding it within the reference books I have. Also , does a command word have to be a standard action or is it a free action ? please help me decide what my players and creatures can do with "at will" and " on command" actions. Jeddith
Dei 03-11-07, 09:12 PM	I've always held that "At will" simply meant there was no limit on the action, it did not define the type of action. For example, a paladin can use detect evil "at will" meaning that he can cast the spell detect evil as many times a day as he wants but he must still complete the vocal and somatic components necessary for the spell and it still takes a standard action. If a creature had an "at will" ability to cast a spell such as Alter Fortune (PhB2) which is a free (or immediate action) then the same would apply, they could use it as many times per day they wished as a free action but would be limited to 1/round and would still have to pay any component costs (200 exp in this case). Using a command word though, is a free action as it is basically speaking normally, however note that many "command word" activated items must be held in the hand to be effective and drawing them will usually be a move action.
Thomar_of_Uointer 03-11-07, 10:35 PM	Spell-Like Abilities (Sp) Usually, a spell-like ability works just like the spell of that name. A few spell-like abilities are unique; these are explained in the text where they are described. A spell-like ability has no verbal, somatic, or material component, nor does it require a focus or have an XP cost. The user activates it mentally. Armor never affects a spell-like ability’s use, even if the ability resembles an arcane spell with a somatic component. A spell-like ability has a casting time of 1 standard action unless noted otherwise in the ability or spell description. Spell-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled. In all other ways, a spell-like ability functions just like a spell: Using a spell-like ability while threatened provokes attacks of opportunity. It is possible to make a Concentration check to use a spell-like ability defensively and avoid provoking an attack of opportunity. A spell-like ability can be disrupted just as a spell can be. Spell-like abilities are subject to spell resistance and to being dispelled by dispel magic. They do not function in areas where magic is suppressed or negated. 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. For creatures with spell-like abilities, a designated caster level defines how difficult it is to dispel their spell-like effects and to define any level-dependent variables (such as range and duration) the abilities might have. The creature’s caster level never affects which spell-like abilities the creature has; sometimes the given caster level is lower than the level a spellcasting character would need to cast the spell of the same name. If no caster level is specified, the caster level is equal to the creature’s Hit Dice. The saving throw (if any) against a spell-like ability is: 10 + the level of the spell the ability resembles or duplicates + the creature’s Cha modifier. Some spell-like abilities duplicate spells that work differently when cast by characters of different classes. A monster’s spell-like abilities are presumed to be the sorcerer/wizard versions. If the spell in question is not a sorcerer/wizard spell, then default to cleric, druid, bard, paladin, and ranger, in that order. Some creatures are actually sorcerers of a sort. They cast arcane spells as sorcerers do, using components when required. In fact, an individual creature could have some spell-like abilities and also cast other spells as a sorcerer. "At will" describes repeated usage, not type of usage. "Three times per day", or "once per week", are similar descriptors of usage. A spell-like ability is typically cast as the spell it duplicates, a standard action for most spells. Monsters with the Quicken Spell-like Ability feat can use a spell-like ability as a swift action several times each day.
Onibi 03-14-07, 09:44 PM	Monsters with the Quicken Spell-like Ability feat can use a spell-like ability as a swift action several times each day. I had a question about this myself. The Balor has the feat Quicken Spell-like Ability (Telekinesis), but under its Spell-like Abilities, Telekinesis is still listed as at will. Does that mean the Balor can use quickened Telekinesis only 3 times a day, then must resort to using standard action Telekinesis? Or does the feat apply to its unlimited uses per day Telekinesis too? The rules for the feat say you can only use the selected ability 3 times per day (or less if the ability can only be used less than 3 times per day), but at no point does it mention what happens when you can use it at will, or if you lose the ability to cast it at will because you selected to quicken it. Under its tactics by round, it says that it'll use quickened telekinesis during the 1st round, which it then repeats during the battle after its 4th round tactics.
DFoster 03-14-07, 10:06 PM	The Balor would be able to use 3 quickened Telekinesis, the rest would have to be the non-quickened version. Of course he can use these uses up in any order he feels like, and he could use a quickened and a normal Telekinesis in one round.
Thomar_of_Uointer 03-15-07, 01:27 AM	I had a question about this myself. The Balor has the feat Quicken Spell-like Ability (Telekinesis), but under its Spell-like Abilities, Telekinesis is still listed as at will. Does that mean the Balor can use quickened Telekinesis only 3 times a day, then must resort to using standard action Telekinesis? Or does the feat apply to its unlimited uses per day Telekinesis too? The rules for the feat say you can only use the selected ability 3 times per day (or less if the ability can only be used less than 3 times per day), but at no point does it mention what happens when you can use it at will, or if you lose the ability to cast it at will because you selected to quicken it. Under its tactics by round, it says that it'll use quickened telekinesis during the 1st round, which it then repeats during the battle after its 4th round tactics. As per the Quicken Spell-Like Ability feat description, you can only quicken it three times per day. You can use it as many times as you like, but only three of those uses (per day) can gain the benefit of being quickened. The tactics fail to account for that. They also fail to note that only stupid balors will engage a party head-on without a small army of low-level evil outsiders to serve as meat shields.