The Catastrophe subdomain has a level 8 ability called Deadly Weather, which says (in part):
"Each round, the storm has one of the following effects: driving rain (–4 on all Perception checks and ranged attack rolls), howling winds (–8 on Fly skill checks and ranged attack rolls), heavy snow (all terrain is considered difficult), or lightning bolt (as call lightning). Other effects depending on the weather might also apply (at the GM's discretion). You choose which effect takes place each round, but no effect may be repeated on the following round."
With respect to the lightning bolt, does that require a standard action on the caster's part, or does it just take effect without an action like the other effects?
Using a supernatural ability is usually a standard action (unless defined otherwise by the ability's description). Its use cannot be disrupted, does not require concentration, and does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
As for the lightning bolt, since it acts as call lightning, you would use a standard action.
I disagree. The ability is activated as a standard action, but has one of those effects each round for its duration (which was not listed in the OP, but is a number of rounds per day equal to your cleric level). Since there's no mention of requiring an action to maintain the ability, I would say that after the first round's standard action to activate the ability, whatever effects it has do not require actions from the cleric.Using a supernatural ability is usually a standard action (unless defined otherwise by the ability's description). Its use cannot be disrupted, does not require concentration, and does not provoke attacks of opportunity.
As for the lightning bolt, since it acts as call lightning, you would use a standard action.
Why wouldn't the lightning bolt require an action if it functions as call lightning?
Why wouldn't the lightning bolt require an action if it functions as call lightning?Because the Deadly Weather ability does not function as Call Lightning. The Deadly Weather ability creates a lasting storm, one of the per-round effects of which has the same effect as Call Lightning.
I guess we'll agree to disagree. Since it states "as call lightning" I take that to mean that you are using call lightning as the spell, since it references it.
but it can create lightning bolts As the spell Call Lightning so the bolts are targeted and called as a standard action, like the spell.
You aren't using an action to maintain the ability, but you do need to to target the lightning bolts.
Why wouldn't the lightning bolt require an action if it functions as call lightning?Because the Deadly Weather ability does not function as Call Lightning. The Deadly Weather ability creates a lasting storm, one of the per-round effects of which has the same effect as Call Lightning.
Yeah i have to agree with old Benly here. I mean its totally preposterous to assume that since the ability works "as Call Lightning" that you would need to use the standard action that Call Lightning requires.