Dungeons & Dragons/Learning the game/Special Abilities & Conditions
Special Abilities
[edit | edit source]A special ability is either extraordinary, spell-like, or supernatural in nature.
Extraordinary Abilities (Ex): Extraordinary abilities are nonmagical. They are, however, not something that just anyone can do or even learn to do without extensive training. Effects or areas that negate or disrupt magic have no effect on extraordinary abilities.
Spell-Like Abilities (Sp): Spell-like abilities, as the name implies, are spells and magical abilities that are very much like spells. Spell-like abilities are subject to spell resistance and dispel magic. They do not function in areas where magic is suppressed or negated (such as antimagic field).
Supernatural Abilities (Su): Supernatural abilities are magical but not spell-like. Supernatural abilities are not subject to spell resistance and do not function in areas where magic is suppressed or negated (such as antimagic field). A supernatural ability's effect cannot be dispelled and is not subject to counterspells. See below for a summary of the types of special abilities.
Table: Special Ability Types
| Extraordinary | Spell-like | Supernatural | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dispel | No | Yes | No |
| Spell resistance | No | Yes | No |
| Antimagic Field | No | Yes | Yes |
| Attack of opportunity | No | Yes | No |
| Dispel: Can dispel magic and similar spells dispel the effects of abilities of that type? |
| Spell Resistance: Does spell resistance protect a creature from these abilities? |
| Antimagic Field: Does an antimagic field or similar magic suppress the ability? |
| Attack of Opportunity: Does using the ability provoke attacks of opportunity the way that casting a spell does? |
Ability Score Loss
[edit | edit source]Various attacks cause ability score loss, either ability damage or ability drain. Points lost to ability damage return at the rate of 1 point per day (or double that if the character gets complete bed rest) to each damaged ability, and the spells lesser restoration and restoration offset ability damage as well. Ability drain, however, is permanent, though restoration can restore even those lost ability score points.
While any loss is debilitating, losing all points in an ability score can be devastating.
- Strength 0 means that the character cannot move at all. He lies helpless on the ground.
- Dexterity 0 means that the character cannot move at all. He stands motionless, rigid, and helpless.
- Constitution 0 means that the character is dead.