At Will...

[simrion]

Just reaching out to our tribal knowledge base. Could be applicable to OD&D as well as AD&D. Just checking to see how DMs here handle the "whenever desired" activation of certain monster spell-like abilities (what later was referred to as "at will" abilities?) Would you allow activation in addition to a move/attack routine? Or would you rule it required an attack to use such powers?

[The Perilous Dreamer]

May 8, 2024 4:31:08 GMT -5 simrion said:

Just reaching out to our tribal knowledge base. Could be applicable to OD&D as well as AD&D. Just checking to see how DMs here handle the "whenever desired" activation of certain monster spell-like abilities (what later was referred to as "at will" abilities?) Would you allow activation in addition to a move/attack routine? Or would you rule it required an attack to use such powers?

It seems to me that it would depend on what the monster was. A Beholder for instance using its eyes is an attack and it could use up to all of them at the same time while moving. A Medusa on the other hand is an always on automatic separate from a move or attack since all you have to do is look at the face. Medusa's could learn to use a sword for instance and still have its power function at the same time. A Hydra on the other hand is moving and attacking, but it grows a new head as a separate thing. Similarly a troll also regenerates as a separate thing from its attack and move.

[simrion]

I was thinking along the lines of this (from Demogorgon's listing in the MM)

Whenever desiring to do so, Demogorgon uses anyone of the following
powers: Cast continual darkness, charm person, create illusion (as an
illusion wand), cause fear (as a wand of that ilk), levitate (as a 16th level
magic-user), detect magic, read magic, read languages, detect invisible
obiects, ESP, dispel magic, clairvoy, use clairaudience, suggest, water
breathe, polymorph self, wall of ice, charm monster, telekinese 7,000 gold
piece weight with each of his two heads (or w ith but one), cast a
feeblemind spell once per day, project an image, use power word stun
once per day, use any symbol once per day, turn sticks to snakes and gate
in other demons, 85% chance of success: 50% chance for a type I-IV, 50%
chance of gating in a type V or VI.

[The Perilous Dreamer]

May 8, 2024 18:58:21 GMT -5 simrion said:

I was thinking along the lines of this (from Demogorgon's listing in the MM)

Whenever desiring to do so, Demogorgon uses anyone of the following
powers: Cast continual darkness, charm person, create illusion (as an
illusion wand), cause fear (as a wand of that ilk), levitate (as a 16th level
magic-user), detect magic, read magic, read languages, detect invisible
obiects, ESP, dispel magic, clairvoy, use clairaudience, suggest, water
breathe, polymorph self, wall of ice, charm monster, telekinese 7,000 gold
piece weight with each of his two heads (or w ith but one), cast a
feeblemind spell once per day, project an image, use power word stun
once per day, use any symbol once per day, turn sticks to snakes and gate
in other demons, 85% chance of success: 50% chance for a type I-IV, 50%
chance of gating in a type V or VI.

I would rule that any of those are his action/move for the round, but then I am biased.