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Okay, since the Bard preview thread has disappeared I'm going to start a new one about a couple of questions and issues that I have with the Versatile Performance ability. This is in light of the fact that in about a month I'm going to have to start converting my Pathfinder Society character into the Pathfinder ruleset and I've desided to reskin my Wizard as a Bard (simply because he's a very talkative guy and it'd be nice to finally get some mechanical support for his loud mouth and bad jokes). There are namely two issues that I'd like to address:
First of all, how does Versatile Performance interact with spells that give bonuses to skill-checks? Some spells, Jump and Glibness being the first to come to mind, grant bonuses on specific skills. Assuming that you have a Bard with the Versatile Performance ability related to Perform (Comedy), whichs supposedly lets him use that skill in place of Bluff and Intimidate checks, and he cast Glibness on himself, would he gain the +20 bonus from the spell on Perform (Comedy) checks he makes in place of Bluff checks to tell a lie or would he actually have to use the Bluff skill with the aforementioned bonus?
I can actually see both arguments as having some merit: On one hand you could say that since you're effectively just using your Perform (Comedy) bonus on a Bluff check you would gain the said bonus on it, but on the other hand one could argue that since you're effectively just using the Perform (Comedy) skill to invoke the effects of the Bluff skill you wouldn't gain the bonus.
My second question is about how Versatile Performance interacts with feats that affect these skills or rely on them. First of all, the Dazzling Display feat allows you to make an Intimidate check against all foes within 30 feet who can see you. Could a Bard with Versatile Performance in Perform (Comedy) make a Perform (Comedy) check in place of an Intimidate check in this case?
As a second example, there's the Intimidating Prowess feat, which allows you to add your Strength bonus in addition to your Charisma bonus on Intimidate checks. Assuming the same Bard yet again, would he gain his Strength bonus on his Perform (Comedy) checks used in place of Intimidate checks in this case?
While I am looking for an official answer I'd also like to invite other people's opinions and input on this, just to see what the general consensus on these things might be.
Also, in light of the Versatile Performance ability I'm now convinced of the fact that the Joker is a Bard with Versatile Performance in Perform (Comedy). ;)