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I believe more clarification is needed - specific verbage in each performance ability if it DOES or DOES NOT need a standard action to be spend on concentration each round to use.
Obviously there is much confusion and no one knows the real answer. I have spoken to five people and gotten six different understandings.
I posted this thread a week ago, and no one responded.
That to me tells me that no one on here has enough of a clear understanding to answer it.
This doesn't bode well.
Robert
Can't day if it does or not, but it should.
I believe more clarification is needed - specific verbage in each performance ability if it DOES or DOES NOT need a standard action to be spend on concentration each round to use.
Obviously there is much confusion and no one knows the real answer. I have spoken to five people and gotten six different understandings.
I posted this thread a week ago, and no one responded.
That to me tells me that no one on here has enough of a clear understanding to answer it.
This doesn't bode well.
The difference between the two is implied by the way Spell Like and Supernatural abilities work, but I agree that it's not very clear from the bard description that this is the reason. Specifically, the SRD for supernatural abilities has these lines...
"Using a supernatural ability is a standard action unless noted otherwise. Supernatural abilities may have a use limit or be usable at will, just like spell-like abilities. However, supernatural abilities do not provoke attacks of opportunity and never require Concentration checks."
and the SRD entry for spell-like abilities has this...
"Using a spell-like ability while threatened provokes attacks of opportunity. It is possible to make a Concentration check to use a spell-like ability defensively and avoid provoking an attack of opportunity. A spell-like ability can be disrupted just as a spell can be."
which certainly seems to imply that it requires concentration.
I'd swear up and down it was spelled out explicitly somewhere (possibly 3.0?) but I can't remember where.
I would definitely expect ongoing bardic powers to require concentration (one standard action a round), especially considering the bard is actively producing those effects with his mouth or his instrument (or both).
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The difference between the two is implied by the way Spell Like and Supernatural abilities work, but I agree that it's not very clear from the bard description that this is the reason. Specifically, the SRD for supernatural abilities has these lines..."Using a supernatural ability is a standard action unless noted otherwise. Supernatural abilities may have a use limit or be usable at will, just like spell-like abilities. However, supernatural abilities do not provoke attacks of opportunity and never require Concentration checks."
and the SRD entry for spell-like abilities has this...
"Using a spell-like ability while threatened provokes attacks of opportunity. It is possible to make a Concentration check to use a spell-like ability defensively and avoid provoking an attack of opportunity. A spell-like ability can be disrupted just as a spell can be."
which certainly seems to imply that it requires concentration.
I'd swear up and down it was spelled out explicitly somewhere (possibly 3.0?) but I can't remember where.
The definitions of spell-like abilities and supernatural abilities in Pathfinder Beta (pp 137-138) are consistent with the SDR.
I think the problem may be between the definition of requiring Concentration to maintain the ability and requiring a Concentration check to start the ability or suffer an attack of opportunity. I never thought that Bardic Performance abilities provoke attacks of opportunity regardless if the are a spell-like ability or a supernatural ability. Now that it is mentioned it make sense but I never thought of it.
There's a difference--a huge difference--between "requiring concentration" and "making a Concentration check" (Spellcraft check in Pathfinder).
I would like to see some clarification on this as well.
Can't day if it does or not, but it should.Yes, because it's totally worth it to just stand around and sing through an entire combat. For a bonus that is at best the equivalent of a 2nd level spell.
Well hey— I would be in favor of giving the bard some persistent morale bonus not tied to music. It just doesn't add up to me that you can perform without concentration.
Then again, I have no concern with balance when it comes to the bard, so won't begrudge anyone who disagrees with me. I want a less cheesy class, if that can be done. Maybe it can't.