Another Magic Item Question

[The Amazing Dingo]

Should have dropped this in the other thread I started, but oh well...

For an Intelligent magical weapon, does the weapon need to be help in the character's hand in order to use its powers? Can it see/hear (including Blindsense and Darkvision) even when sheathed? Are continuous use powers active even when the weapon is sheathed?

Just some question I'm hoping for help with.

 

[dcollins]

The 3.5 SRD says this:

All powers function at the direction of the item, although intelligent items generally follow the wishes of their owner. Activating a power or concentrating on an active one is a standard action the item takes.

Which would seem to imply "yes", the item is a character in its own right in all ways. I suppose a DM could decide if a scabbard effectively makes the item blind, or cuts off line-of-effect. In contrast, the 3.0 SRD said this:

All abilities function only when the item is held, drawn, or otherwise brandished and the possessor is concentrating on the desired result. Activating a power is a standard action, but using a free feat is not.

Which in that case would have resulted in "no". (And personally I prefer the 3.0 rule.)