Empathic Link (su)

[0-hr]

Empathic Link (for a familiar) is a supernatural ability and so takes a standard action to activate, but what is the duration? Does it take a standard action each round it is used? Does it take just one standard action and then the wizard "concentrates"? Is it just one action and then it's "on" permanently? Heck, maybe its even the familiar that takes the action to send emotions! I just don't know.

Is there anything written to make it clearer?

 

[Scharlata]

Empathic Link (for a familiar)[...]

Hi!

Most supernatural abilities need a standard action to activate, but since the familiar is an extension of the master's self, I'd rule that "commanding" a familiar is a free action like the "handle" ability of the druid (Link). Normally it costs a move action to handle an animal (see Handle Animal). Why should the Link ability of a familiar's master [Wiz/Sor] (besides the Su quality) be worse than that of the animal companion's master [Druid], with the line "In some sense, the familiar and the master are practically one being." from the Sidebar Familiars in mind?

Kind regards

 

[argo]

No, you got it right. The wizard uses a standard action to turn it on once (presumably when he first gets it) and then it is on forever (unless he decides to turn it off again for some reason, mabye so he can get some shut-eye at night )

Other similar examples include: a monk's ki strike and Diamond body abilities and a paladin's divine grace and aura of courage abilities.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Is it just one action and then it's "on" permanently?

I'd say it's just an 'always active' Su ability, like a Bralani's Tongues or a Choker's Quickness.

-Hyp.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

When you look at the various (Su) abilities, some of them are more like "abilities" and some of them are more akin to "qualities." The abilities, which require the user to take some sort of initiative to activate, are a standard action. I've always interpreted the qualities, though, as being "always on," in spite of the general rule regarding (Su) activation times.

Thus, a familiar has the Empathic Link (Su) quality the instant it is called/created, and that quality is "always on."

This may be a House Rule, though, since I cannot recall any text on the matter either way.