Ability Categories

This page is a guide to the various forms which abilities in Pathrunner may take. Examples of abilities in this context primarily include Talents from Paths and Spells, though other abilities like these will also be subjected to the below categories.

Referencing these categories, and learning how they interact with one another, is a core part of determining how such abilities interact with one another and the larger game world.

Extraordinary Abilities (shorthanded to Ex) are nonmagical, but often provide near-magical effects in their disregard for Earth's laws of physics. Due to this, (Ex) abilities are often received from investment in a Path, through one or more Talents.

As nonmagical abilities, Extraordinary Abilities are not subjected to any restrictions that are placed upon magic, such as being subjected to interruption or Concentration checks, nor do they provoke Attacks of Opportunity. Likewise, they cannot be dispelled as any magical effect would allow.

Unless otherwise noted, using an (Ex) ability is a Half Action.

Spell-Like Abilities, as their name implies, act like a spell. The difference is usually found in the method of learning a Spell-Like Ability, usually through a Talent or through one's Race. A Spell-Like Ability functions with all of the normal restrictions involved in casting a spell, meaning that they:

• Are subject to dispelling
• Are subject to Spell Resistance
• Provoke Attacks of Opportunity when used
• May require a Concentration check

Notably, Spell-Like Abilities are *not* subjected to one's Casting Tradition. Using a Spell-Like Ability needs no words, movement, components, or other such means to manifest. Unless otherwise stated, using a Spell-Like Ability is a Half Action.

Supernatural Abilities are only slightly magical, and act as an “in-between” Spell-Like and Extraordinary Abilities. Supernatural Abilities often represent magical effects (and may even state that they function like a specific spell), but all Supernatural Abilities possess significant differences from Spell-Like Abilities:

• They cannot be dispelled
• They ignore Spell Resistance
• They are unaffected by Dispel Magic
• They never provoke an Attack of Opportunity, or require Concentration

The only caveat to Supernatural Abilities is that they are adversely affected by an Antimagic Field, and will cease to function within one as with any other magical effects (such as ongoing spells or items).