Author Topic: Can you use Supernatural abilities while paralysed?  (Read 2659 times)

Offline ksbsnowowl

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Can you use Supernatural abilities while paralysed?
« on: May 01, 2012, 03:06:37 PM »
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Supernatural Abilities (Su)

Supernatural abilities are magical and go away in an antimagic field but are not subject to spell resistance, counterspells, or to being dispelled by dispel magic. Using a supernatural ability is a standard action unless noted otherwise. Supernatural abilities may have a use limit or be usable at will, just like spell-like abilities. However, supernatural abilities do not provoke attacks of opportunity and never require Concentration checks. Unless otherwise noted, a supernatural ability has an effective caster level equal to the creature’s Hit Dice. The saving throw (if any) against a supernatural ability is:

    10 + ½ the creature’s HD + the creature’s ability modifier (usually Charisma).

Are supernatural abilities generally mental-only actions?  (aside from the obvious, like aiming an ability that makes attack rolls).  There's a good chance my PC's will be paralyzed tonight, and I'm curious what things they can do.

Obviously, they can do "mental only" actions, but what actions does that include?

Offline Kethrian

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Re: Can you use Supernatural abilities while paralysed?
« Reply #1 on: May 01, 2012, 08:36:52 PM »
I know psionics would be fully allowed.  SLAs should be, too, because they have no verbal or somatic components.  SUs would likely need to be adjudicated on a case-by-case basis.  For instance, breath weapons would be right out.
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Offline SneeR

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Re: Can you use Supernatural abilities while paralysed?
« Reply #2 on: May 01, 2012, 09:19:58 PM »
Unless otherwise stated, (Su) actions have no verbal or somatic components and do not distract their user in any way, thus provoking no attacks of opportunities. As such, I believe they count as mental-only actions.
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Offline awaken_D_M_golem

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Re: Can you use Supernatural abilities while paralysed?
« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2012, 07:00:47 PM »
hmm ... "aiming" should require eye movement for targeting.

Without the ability to move the eyes, you'd be stuck with
a visual cone / limited Line of Sight.  Can't target things
on your flanks.  Could shoot an area effect in the general
direction.  Maybe a concealment tag can happen with this.

 :???
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Offline SneeR

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Re: Can you use Supernatural abilities while paralysed?
« Reply #4 on: May 03, 2012, 07:15:14 PM »
hmm ... "aiming" should require eye movement for targeting.

Without the ability to move the eyes, you'd be stuck with
a visual cone / limited Line of Sight.  Can't target things
on your flanks.  Could shoot an area effect in the general
direction.  Maybe a concealment tag can happen with this.

 :???
No, you see, characters in D&D are either perpetually spinning, or have a host of eyes all over their heads. That's why rogues can't sneak up behind someone--there IS no behind!
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Offline Halinn

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Re: Can you use Supernatural abilities while paralysed?
« Reply #5 on: May 06, 2012, 10:56:28 AM »
hmm ... "aiming" should require eye movement for targeting.

Without the ability to move the eyes, you'd be stuck with
a visual cone / limited Line of Sight.  Can't target things
on your flanks.  Could shoot an area effect in the general
direction.  Maybe a concealment tag can happen with this.

 :???
No, you see, characters in D&D are either perpetually spinning, or have a host of eyes all over their heads. That's why rogues can't sneak up behind someone--there IS no behind!
Long ago, so long that no one, not even the gods themselves, can remember when, a mage of more than epic proportions cast the most powerful spell to ever have been created: a floating disk exists below every entity in existence, spinning fast enough to make sure that no one will ever be attacked from behind. This having happened so long ago, it has become so familiar, that none have ever thought to mention it, nor do they require any training to make use of it.