Quick intelligent item question

[AdamMeyers]

Intelligent items activate their own powers, right? So if I have a sword that can use magic missile 3 times per say, that means I attack and my sword also can use magic missile as its own attack, rather than a normal item where I must choose to either attack OR use magic missile.

[Drejk]

Yes. As long as the item decides that it wants to activate the power in question. Were you kind to you magic item lately?

[Weirdo]

Yes, the sword activates the power on its own action and at its own discretion. This means that you ask your sword to please magic missile that guy and the DM decides whether the item feels like doing so. If your item has a special purpose, you might need to convince it that whatever you're doing serves that purpose, or that you're dedicated enough to its purpose that it ought to help keep you alive.

[deuxhero]

Note that while RAW self-only powers would effect the item, one of the APs has an item that explicitly casts Divine Favor on the wielder.

[VRMH]

Intelligent items usually have a limited sensory range, so Magic Missile might not be their forté. Plus you could end up in a race who gets to use the item's powers: you or the item itself.