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Following the Dandy and the Saboteur, here is an archetype whose concept I love = the Mime Artist. Also, my mind just blowed for two reasons : the tremendous time needed for a bard archetype, and the fact I just saw there is some kind of... french common point with these archetypes.
In gaming terms, the Mime is a nice addition to the following domains : protection, battlefield control, and stealth, thanks to defensive performances relying on cunning moves. More versatile in combat than a standard bard thanks to it's reality-warping powers, it lacks a bit in the skills territory, but makes up for it by always having something useful to do, whatever the situation. An ideal party may even have a bard and a mime for awesome synergy.
Also, yes, any issue about roleplaying a "mute" character has been adressed preventively in the class features, and you'll not need to be silent when roleplaying the character. ;)
I hope you'll like it enough to want one in your group or on your sheet !
If you feel like it, any comment or suggestion is appreciated, I'm already fascinated just for you. :)
Mime Artist
Some bards don't rely on music or dance to fascinate crowds. Masters of expressive arts, mimes create all kinds of magical effects by modeling them, warping reality to meet their needs through weird moves and stunning make-believe performances. While not the most inspiring when it comes to soothe combat performances, the influence of a mime is more than often what makes the difference between down, bleeding allies, and a flawless victory.
Expressive Courtesy (Su)
A mime adds half his class level (minimum 1) on Bluff, Diplomacy, Sense Motive and Stealth checks.
This ability replaces bardic knowledge.
Bardic Performance
A mime's bardic performance works as the ability of the same name, with the following exception : treat all bardic performances as relying only on visual performances.
A mime gains the following types of bardic performance:
Protective Expression (Su): A 1st level mime can use his performance to protect his allies (including himself) from attacks and spells, improving their defensive abilities through subtile manipulation of their moves, and the quick creation of magic sheets of force. To be affected, an ally must be under 30 feet of the mime. An affected ally receives a +1 dodge bonus on Armor Class, a +1 morale bonus on saving throws and DR 1/magic. At 5th level, and every six bard levels thereafter, this bonus increases by +1, to a maximum of +4 at 17th level. At 5th level, and every six bard levels thereafter, the mime chooses one of the following kind of weapons to add to the DR provided by the performance, in addition to magic : bludgeoning, piercing, slashing. The DR doesn't stack with any other DR from another source, and only the higher applies.
This performance replaces inspire courage.
Friendship Expression (Su): At 6th level, a mime can use performance to influence the behavior of a creature that he has already fascinated (see above). Using this ability does not disrupt the fascinate effect, but it does require a standard action to activate (in addition to the free action to continue the fascinate effect). A bard can use this ability more than once against an individual creature during an individual performance. It can provoke one of the following effects :
- The mime pretends to hold a lasso and catch the target. He can grapple and move a creature toward himself, up to the base speed of the creature. This movement provokes attacks of opportunity as normal.
- The mime gives an item to a fascinated creature. The creature uses it to the best of it's ability and knowledge, as visually described by the mime. Any obviously harmful use of the item, as recognizing the item as cursed or using a weapon in a dangerous way for the creature, breaks the fascination. Though, a mime could find a way to pretend this isn't dangerous at all, like substituting a fake, theater weapon with a real one, or pretending he's himself hurt by his own imaginary performance to divert attention, thus giving all fascinated creatures a new saving throw instead of instantly breaking the effect. Suffering any kind of ailment through this ability breaks the effect for the creature.
- The mime enters in a fake duel with an enemy. Each round, the mime may attempt a combat maneuver against it, using his level as his BAB, and his Charisma modifier to CMB. The enemy is flat-footed against all these attempts, and may do a new saving throw each round to stop the effect. Dealing damage to the enemy breaks the fascination.
A Will saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 bard’s level + bard’s Cha modifier) negates the effect. This ability affects only a single creature (but see fellowship expression, below). Friendship Expression is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting ability and relies on visual components.
This performance replaces suggestion.
Vanishing Expression (Su): At 9th level, a mime can use performance to disappear in a place and reappear in another, looking like he falls through the ground or downs imaginary stairs, as though casting Dimension Door. Using this ability is a move action which consumes two rounds of bardic performance. His caster level for this effect is equal to his bard level. He cannot take other creatures with him when he uses this ability.
This performance replaces inspire greatness.
Fellowship Expression (Su): This ability functions just like Friendship Expression, but allows a mime of 18th level or higher to simultaneously provoke an effect to any number of creatures that he has already fascinated. Fellowship Expression is an enchantment (compulsion), mind-affecting ability that relies on visual components.
This performance replaces mass suggestion.
Corporeal Mime Strike (Su)
At 2nd level, a mime can choose one weapon he is proficient with. By spending one round of bardic performance as a free action, a mime can materialize this weapon during one round. When materializing a weapon in this way, the mime typically pretends to hold the weapon in a common, exagerated fashion, or as if his arms or fingers were part of the weapon. The weapon is invisible, and only a vague crystalline, shimmering silhouette of it appears when an attack is made with it. The weapon deals 1d4 + the bard's Charisma modifier damage on a succesful hit, or 1d8 + 1–1/2 times the bard's Charisma modifier if the weapon is two-handed, but otherwise has the same properties than the original weapon, including critical range and modifier, special weapon properties, damage type, etc.
At 2nd level, the materialized weapon is treated as a +1 weapon. At level 6, and every four levels later, the mime may choose another weapon he can materialize, and these weapons gain another +1 enhancement bonus, to a maximum of +5 at 18th level.
At 6th level, these bonuses can be used to add any of the following weapon properties: dancing, flaming, flaming burst, frost, icy burst, keen, shock, shocking burst, speed, dueling (from the Pathfinder Society Field Guide) or vorpal.
Finally, at 6th level, a mime can choose to spend one more round of bardic performance to have the weapon deal one of the following types of damage instead of weapon damage: cold, electricity, or fire. At 10th level, he can spend two more rounds to deal sonic or force damage instead of weapon damage.
These bonuses and properties are decided when the rounds of bardic performance are spent, and cannot be changed until the next time the mime uses this ability.
This ability replaces versatile performance.
Silent Understanding (Su)
At 2nd level, the mime must take a Vow of Silence, as per the monk Vows. Whenever the mime tries to communicate with a creature, it is affected by the effects of a Comprehend Languages spell, which allows the creature to understand the global meaning of a mime's expressions as if they were words of scriptures. This doesn't give full insight about the mime's communicated words. If the creature can feel the magic effect, it knows it is harmless.
Additionaly, by spending one round of bardic performance as a free action when he casts a spell, the mime may cast the spell as if it was affected by the Silent Spell metamagic feat. This doesn't increase the level of the spell.
The mime loses the effects of this ability during 24 hours if he voluntarily breaks his vow.
This ability replaces well-versed.
Invisible Walls (Su)
At 5th level, the mime is able to create little walls of force to protect himself against attacks. Whenever he uses the Protective Expression bardic performance, the mime can use an attack of opportunity when attacked or the target of a spell, to double the bonuses provided by his performance on himself against the attack or spell. Half of this bonus is a shield bonus when applied to AC. As a standard action, the mime may also gain total cover on one side of his square, as if using an appropriately sized Tower Shield to protect himself.
At level 10, the mime may gain the normal bonuses of the protective expression bardic performance by using an attack of opportunity, even when he isn't using the performance.
This ability replaces lore master and jack of all-trades.
Wall Mastery
In addition, a mime’s class spell list includes the following:
1st—Mage Armor
2nd—Wind Wall
3rd—Wall of Ice, Wall of Fire
4th—Wall of Stone, Emergency Force Sphere
5th—Wall of Thorns, Wall of Force, Wall of Iron
6th—Prismatic Wall, Wall of Lava
A mime may add one of these spells on the bard spell list to his list of spells known at 2nd level, 4th level, and every four levels thereafter.
Puppeteer Expression (Su)
A mime of 20th level or higher can use his performance to create an effect equivalent to Dominate Monster, using the bard’s level as the caster level. To be affected, the target must be able to see and hear the mime perform for 1 full round and be within 30 feet. The target receives a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the bard’s level + the mime’s Cha modifier) to negate the effect. If a creature’s saving throw succeeds, the target is subject to a Suggestion spell for 1d4 rounds, and the mime cannot use puppeteer expression on that creature again for 24 hours. If a creature's saving throw fails, it is dominated, and follows every visual orders given by the mime as a free action, as if it was a living puppet. Puppeteer expression is a mind-affecting effect that relies on visual components.
This ability replaces deadly performance.
I like this one! Very expressive.
Various concerns, in no real order, after my first read through:
Spells
All bard spells need a Verbal component. As it is, a 2nd level mime needs to spend bardic performance rounds to cast spells. Also, seems weird that they must take the vow at 2nd level. Just make them start with it. Abilities don't need to be at the same level the things they replace are at.
Armor Prof
I'd be tempted to make them not proficient with any armor. Cramps their style, yo. Change them to start out with Mage Armor.
Protective Expression
Nice! It seems like a decent replacement for IC. I'd make the bonus to AC deflection, since that fits better with my understanding of the ability. But again, that's just me, and I know I'm wrong often enough!
Mime Strike
Owen K.C. Stephens has an ability like Corporeal Mime Strike for the Genius Guide to the Shadow Assassin. It's one of my favorite abilities in the game, so I was glad to see this here. He did find in playtesting that giving the weapon abilities was overpowered for that class. I'd think long and hard about this one.
I'd say make it start as Masterwork, then go to +1 at level 3 or 4.
How long does it last? For as long as it's maintained? It is a bardic performance, correct? I'm not sure where the performances start, and where they end.
Is it melee weapons only? If not, does it provide its own ammunition?
What happens if I throw it at someone?
Does it disappear one round after I make it?
Friendship Expression
Fascinate can't really be used in Combat. So, that's an issue that should be looked into.
Also, the grapple ability needs to be a bit more explicit. Is it a ranged grapple check? Do you take penalties for size, since it's presumably magical? Can a creature with constrict use this somehow?
Vanishing Expression
Suffers from the same issue that Abundant step has, since they can't take any actions after the use of this. But I suppose you could use a standard, then GTFO with this.
Invisible Walls
I was playing around with an ability like this for the War Warder from the Secrets of Tactical Archetypes. I really, really like the concept of it, although my version was able to place these around the battlefield. Ended up scratching the plan due to all sorts of issues with Total Cover and tower shields, and specifically creatures larger than the shield.
Shouldn't this be "As an immediate action" instead of "using an AoO"? Or was this meant to be done out of turn multiple times, and you wanted to limit it? If so, I think some fixing of the wording is in order. "When attacked or the target of a spell, the mime may use one of their attack of opportunities to instead double the ..."
Wall Mastery
I'm not a huge fan of the non-force walls. Prismatic wall is nice.
Also, Magi get Wall of Force at 4th spell level.
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I like this one! Very expressive.
Yay ! Glad someone likes it. :)
Spells :
The forced Vow should indeed be moved to first level. It's not like it's worth a level dip, after all. The round of bardic performance to cast a spell was intentional too, but I admit that making the concept of a silent bard without nerfing the spellcasting was the bigger challenge, and I don't know if I did it right. You get to cast silently for "free", so it's a plus, but there are so much features absorbing bardic performance rounds on the mime in comparison to official archetypes that it feels like they will only last on a 15mn day.
Armor Prof :
Why not lose armor proficiency to gain something like their Charisma bonus to AC up to their class level ? They are so weird and strangely fascinating that they litteraly disturb any attempt to deal with them ! (An evil clown mime working with undeads in a ghost circus, for wicked DM fun...)
With this, Mage Armor which they gain at second level in their spell list is still soon enough for them (16 Dex, 16 Cha at level 1 : 15 AC with Protective Expression, not too bad for a d8 HD without armors, 20 AC at level 2 with Mage Armor).
Protective Expression
Deflection was the first thing I thought about, since the mime is effectively fending attacks by creating force layers and deviating the weapon trajectories... but he also forcefully moves his allies in a wanted pattern, just enough to block or avoid blows. Thus the dodge bonus. Deflection would make more sense, but at the same time isn't stackable with a ring of protection, one of the most wanted, cheap ways to improve AC in medium-to-high levels.
Making it a Deflection bonus is fluffier and your opinion only confirms it to me, but kind of a nerf that could be balanced somewhere else if needed.
Mime Strike
I didn't know about this one. It's nice to have a bit of work compared to the great names ! :)
It's pretty fun, because basically all you put forth has been, or is still a concern for me while writting the archetype. Indeed, I wondered if giving the mime weapon abilities would be overpowered, since the Arcane Duelist has a slower progression - but the cost is also higher for the mime - but this last one has also more versatility, in a sense.
I wanted to start it as masterwork after I thought about making it force damage, but this one was really too much despite fluffier, and the masterwork weapon didn't make too much sense since it couldn't overcome DR magic despite being made of force/magic.
Corporeal Mime Strike isn't a bardic performance, but a special ability activated as a free action : you spend one round of bardic performance, and during one round (until the beginning of your next round), you get to materialize one +1 weapon you are proficient with that you previously choose when you gained levels. A bit like the magus enhancing a weapon during one minute, but you physically create the effects of one during one round, and the weapon is basically invisible except for a barely perceptible glass effect when moved or hitting, predator-like. (Think finger gun, or exagerated moves as if wielding a heavy maul.)
Later, you can spend two rounds at once to instead get a weapon dealing pure elemental damage, then three rounds at once to get a weapon dealing sound or force damage (remember, it still deals 1d4 + Charisma modifier instead of Strength or 1d8 + 1-1/2 Charisma modifier, and you are still a 2/3 BAB class without synergizing class abilities outside of spells, so a Soundstriker could be way better at this).
A projectile weapon would create it's own basic ammunition, including firearms, but this doesn't change the reloading time.
A thrown weapon was something I didn't think about. I guess it would damage the target and appear back in the owner's hand, it's not like throwing weapon is the king of DPR, even for an optimized fighter. I can see a mime throwing mimetic playing cards as dagger equivalents.
Friendship Expression
Vanilla bard's Fascinate can't be used in combat either. ;)
Nice one on the grapple check, I didn't think about the size penalties and exceptional creature abilities. As I see it, the creature simply is grappled and moves at his base speed to the mime if it fails a will save. Attempting a real grapple or to damage the creature would break the effect since it would be an attack, and thus, only attacks of opportunity made with weapons the ennemies don't know about would work during a surprise round.
It's more a "how to begin fight intelligently" option than a real combat performance, for which you already have something to defend yourself/allies, and something to move quickly around the battlefield.
Vanishing Expression
Hence the Dimensional feat tree, and the standard action you still get before attempting to Dimensional Door out, since doing so is a move action. ;) Create a wall with a spell, then teleport - and you don't need to use a spell slot for the latter.
Invisible Walls
I would deal with creatures larger as simply having a half-cover : if you are closer to the cover (which you probably are since it is pretty much obligatory), you have full cover/cover/half-cover/no cover depending on the creature's reach. Also, create a cover, then teleport to help an ally not to get mauled thanks to your total cover effect lasting one round.
"When attacked or the target of a spell, the mime may use one of their attack of opportunities to instead double the ..."
=> Yep, this was the intention. English isn't my first language, so sometimes the best expression just doesn't want to reach my fingers. ;)
Immediate actions are too precious, and attacks of opportunity to create numerous interrupting "shields" between you and the enemy make more sense.
Wall Mastery
The wall thematic seemed pretty obligatory. Perfect battlefield control role and good fluff continuation without having to play a wizard. I didn't see about the magus, I'll correct this on the next writting ! :)
Vanishing Expression won't work with Dimensional Agility et al. Abundant Steps is a (Su) as well last I checked, and it is specifically called out.
If you intend for it to work, you should make explicit note in the ability.
ProtExp not stacking with Ring of Prots was one of the reasons I thought it should be deflection. Dodge bonuses to ACs are really good, and I do not recall them usually being more than +1. At least, I can't think of any specific abilities that give higher than +1.
Mime strike: Good point on the not able to overcome magic DR, but at level 2 you should run into that roughly...0 times :p
It seemed Friendship Expression was intended for combat, due to the grapple and combat maneuver uses.
My issue with Invisible Walls is that there's little reason to *not* always use it. Reading it again, there's no reason not to unless you intended to hit the enemy. And you can't even do that against a ranged enemy anyways. This amounts to a constant effect bonus, if you have Combat Reflexes. Which no one won't have with this ability. Immediate action at least makes them think hard about using it. And if you could spend a round or two of bardic performance, but still use up an AoO, instead of an immediate action, I think it would be better.
As it is, I feel this is ability is too powerful. Arrow targets you? Throw up a wall. Suddenly you have +4 AC and 2 DR. As well as +4 to saving throws vs spells.
At no cost but a measly AoO, which wouldn't normally be all that good of an option for you anyways, since you this so heavily pushes you to high Charisma.
This would be a great 2 level dip for Ninjas. Emphasizes Cha so you get a better Ki pool, the ability to use Mime Strike with flurry of stars (it is a free action to make a weapon, after all). Some nice Utility spells.
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Vanishing Expression won't work with Dimensional Agility at all. Abundant Steps is a (Su) as well last I checked, and it is specifically called out.
If you intend for it to work, you should make explicit note in the ability.
Please read again, about the following sentence :
"Using this ability is a move action which consumes two rounds of bardic performance."ProtExp => Actually, you're right. It only confirms to me that I should have made it a deflection bonus from the beginning.
Mime strike => Indeed. I'll look up for it. Filling the 4th level "gap" with the +1 weapon and staying with masterwork at lower level could be a good thing. :|
Friendship Expression => It is intended to "prepare" targets to make combat easier by applying penalties, like grappled/provoking, or by using combat maneuvers during a fake duel - penalties which still apply when you begin fight. Imagine that you just put the guy's pants down and disarmed him before you begin the offensive. It's like a nerfed Suggestion effect.
I didn't intend for it to be usable in combat at first, since the vanilla bard couldn't do it either. I guess I could design a new ability usable in combat, but it would necessitate to think it again as a whole, and I don't like too much bardic performances which you can only use in place of the iconic Inspire Courage equivalent... right now, maybe Hexes could be a good replacement, to fit the whole "weird presence/reality warping/direct influence" theme. Or simple debuff effects, but this seems a bit redundant and boring in comparison with the buff effect you get at first for your allies.
I should maybe replace Friendship/Fellowship Expression with a performance creating walls with diverse effects on the battlefields, and remove most of the wall spells from the extended spell list.
Invisible Walls => Spending rounds in addition to AoO is a good idea ! Seeing how much rounds the class is spending on diverse abilities, it is a good way to make it a valuable, last resort defense. I think 1 performance round for an additional +1 bonus each 5 levels (maximum twice the bonus from ProExp) would make it a good situational buff. You are aiming for spending up to 4 rounds by attack at higher levels. Maybe this should only increase AC and DR, and not saving throws.
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I suppose you don't consider the Charisma-to-AC idea, or Mime Strike an overpowered ability as actually written, then ?
Nah, those are fine I think. Makes some sense, for a mime.
Not quite sure what you mean about your comment on my comment about Vanishing Expression. I know that it costs some Bardic rounds and a move action, but if you intend for it to work with the Dimensional Agility feat chain, it needs to be explicitly said that "Vanishing Expression counts as Abundant Step for purposes of feats."
Ah, now I get the idea of friendship expression. Should totally be "Friendship" Expression though :)
You should get a compilation post going once you feel satisfied with all three!
Maybe even a barbarian chef who uses baguettes as weapons, and flies into a rage when someone insults his cooking ability.
the "pull down pants" thing seems like the "dirty trick" maneuver
I think that's one of the canonical examples even.
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You should get a compilation post going once you feel satisfied with all three!
Maybe even a barbarian chef who uses baguettes as weapons, and flies into a rage when someone insults his cooking ability.
And gains the Cook People hex, with special lasting bonuses from cannibalism, including damage made with bite attacks ?
Gol. Den.
Next archetype, for sure. And it still fits the french theme.
I'll come back to the Mime a bit later, right now I'm a bit tired, and ashamed by the amount of work left in something I thought was pretty much 75% done. The dandy is IMHO finished, the saboteur isn't far from being perfect, this one and the Cannibal will come later.
*Shivers at the thought of a party made of these four classes.*
"- My, this man thou cooked was délicieux, my friend. But I almost cut my tongue on this strange piece of hardened métal, thou may be more attentive next time if thou don't want my cane to meet your unborn heirs's lying place.
- NO SAYIN AM BAD COOK AND NOT ATTENDIFE ! *Rage*
- Ah, so that's where I broke my dagger in that guard.
- *Pretends to eat while staring blankly and intensively at the severed head lying in front of her plate.*
"
the "pull down pants" thing seems like the "dirty trick" maneuver
Indeed, it does, since it is ! Make fun of your foe through a fake duel, put down it's pants through Dirty Trick, let the barbarian do the rest, ???, profit !
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Pfew, here is finally a revision taking into account what has been said previously ! I'm sleeping awake and may have forgot things.
Hope you enjoy neverthelss.
Weapons and Armor proficiencies
Mimes are not proficient in any armor or shield; unlike bards, mimes are subject to arcane spell failure even when casting in light armor or when using a shield.
Disturbing Acting (Ex)
Beginning at 1st level, a mime artist's weird attitude, moves and looks catch opponents off-guard. When wearing no armor and not using a shield, a mime artist adds 1 point of Charisma bonus (if any) per bard class level to his Dexterity bonus to modify Armor Class. If a mime is caught flat-footed or otherwise denied his Dexterity bonus, he also loses this bonus.
Expressive Courtesy (Su)
A mime adds half his class level (minimum 1) on Bluff, Diplomacy, Sense Motive and Stealth checks.
This ability replaces bardic knowledge.
Bardic Performance
A mime's bardic performance works as the ability of the same name, with the following exception : treat all bardic performances as relying only on visual performances.
A mime gains the following types of bardic performance:
Protective Expression (Su): A 1st level mime can use his performance to protect his allies (including himself) from attacks and spells, improving their defensive abilities through subtile manipulation of their moves, and the quick creation of magic sheets of force. To be affected, an ally must be under 30 feet of the mime. An affected ally receives a +1 deflection bonus on Armor Class, a +1 morale bonus on saving throws and DR 1/magic. At 5th level, and every six bard levels thereafter, these bonuses increase by +1, to a maximum of +4 at 17th level. At 5th level, and every six bard levels thereafter, the mime chooses one of the following kind of weapons to add to the DR provided by the performance, in addition to magic : bludgeoning, piercing, slashing. The DR doesn't stack with any other DR from another source, and only the higher applies.
This performance replaces inspire courage.
Pastiche Expression (Su): At 1st level, a mime can use performance to influence his surroundings and create magic effects warping space and time to his convenance. To use this ability, the mime typically pretends to interact with an unseen item or obstacle, either close or distant, like a wall, a cord or a flower. Doing so produces diverse effects the mime obtains and may choose from by gaining levels. Casting one of these spells is a spell-like ability which consumes a number of bardic performance rounds equal to the level of the spell -1 (minimum 0), in addition to the round used to maintain the performance. The mime must still provide any eventual costly material component to cast a spell this way.
A mime must be of a high enough level to select one of the following spells, and this choice is definitive. He chooses one spell to cast during this performance at level 1, one more at level 4 and each three levels later, up to 7 different spells usable during this performance at level 19. A mime may also decide to spend a feat to choose an additional Pastiche Expression spell he qualifies for.
1st level (Level 1 spells):
Animate Rope
Hold Portal
Shield
Unseen Servant
4th level (Level 2 spells):
Mage Armor
Pilfering Hand
Retrieve Item
Silence
7th level (Level 3 spells):
Control Summoned Creature
Force Punch
Phantom Driver
Phantom Steed
10th level (Level 4 spells):
Emergency Force Sphere
Resilient Sphere
Magic Jar
Wall of Force
13th level (Level 5 spells):
Interposing Hand
Telekinesis
Passwall
Spell Turning
Level 16 (Level 6 spells):
Force Cage
Mage's Sword
Phase Door
Walk through Space
Level 19 (Level 6 spells):
Antimagic Field
Clenched Fist
Prismatic Wall
Telekinetic Sphere
This performance replaces countersong, suggestion and mass suggestion.
Vanishing Expression (Su): At 9th level, a mime can use performance to disappear in a place and reappear in another, looking like he falls through the ground or downs imaginary stairs, as though casting Dimension Door. Using this ability is a move action which consumes one round of bardic performance, in addition to the round needed to maintain the performance. His caster level for this effect is equal to his bard level. He cannot take other creatures with him when he uses this ability.
This ability works like the Abundant Step monk ability for the purposes of the Dimensional Ability feat.
This performance replaces inspire greatness.
Corporeal Mime Strike (Su)
At 2nd level, a mime can choose one melee or ranged weapon he is proficient with. By spending one round of his daily allotment of bardic performance as a free action, a mime can materialize this weapon during one round. When materializing a weapon in this way, the mime typically pretends to hold the weapon in a common, exagerated fashion, or as if his arms or fingers were part of the weapon. The weapon is invisible, and only a vague crystalline, shimmering silhouette of it appears when it is used to make an attack.
A melee weapon deals 1d4 + the bard's Charisma modifier damage on a successful hit, or 1d8 + 1–1/2 times the bard's Charisma modifier if the weapon is two-handed (respectively 1d3 and 1d6 for a small creature).
A ranged weapon deals half it's base damage dice, uses Charisma instead of Strength for the purposes of composite bows, and doesn't materialize already loaded. Basic ammunitions speficic to the chosen weapon, including powder, are created when the mime reloads this weapon. Real or special ammunition is unusable with a mimetic weapon. Thrown weapons reappear in the mime's hand after the attack hit or failed.
Otherwise, the weapon has the same properties than the original weapon, including critical range and modifier, special weapon properties, damage type, resistance, hit points, reloading time, etc.
The mime is the only one able to wield such a weapon. It vanishes as a free action whenever the mime decides it, or at the beginning of his next round, unless the mime decides to spend one round of bardic performance for the weapon to stay into existence for one more round.
At level 6, and every four levels later, the mime may choose another weapon he can materialize this way.
At 2nd level, the materialized weapon is treated as having the masterwork quality. At level 4, at level 6 then every four levels later, the weapon gain another +1 enhancement bonus, to a maximum of +5 at 18th level.
At 10th level, he can spend three rounds of bardic performance instead to materialize a weapon dealing sonic or force damage instead of weapon damage.
These bonuses and properties are decided when the rounds of bardic performance are spent, and cannot be changed until the next time the mime uses this ability.
This ability replaces versatile performance.
Silent Understanding (Su)
At 1st level, the mime must take a Vow of Silence, as per the monk Vows. Casting a spell with a verbal component doesn't count as breaking the vow, but casting any spell dealing sound damage or creating a loud effect is forbidden.
Whenever the mime tries to communicate with a creature, said creature is affected by the effects of a Comprehend Languages spell, which allows it to understand the global meaning of a mime's expressions as if they were words or scriptures. This doesn't give full insight about the mime's communicated words. If the creature can feel the magic effect, it knows it is harmless.
The mime loses the effects of this ability during 24 hours if he voluntarily breaks his vow.
This ability replaces well-versed.
Reactive Force Shield (Su)
At 5th level, the mime is able to naturally sustain force fields to protect himself against attacks. Whenever he maintains a bardic performance, the mime gains the effects of a ring of Force Shield. When attacked or the target of a spell, the mime may use one of his attacks of opportunities and one round of bardic performance to either double the shield bonus to his AC against this attack, or to apply the bonus of the shield to his saving throws against the effects of this spell. When used this way, the force shield breaks, and disappears until next time the mime starts a bardic performance.
At 10th level, the mime may activate the protective expression as an immediate action when attacked, by spending one attack of opportunity and one round of bardic performance. Doing so interrupts and stops any other bardic performance who would be in effect at the time.
This ability replaces lore master and jack of all-trades.
Puppeteer Expression (Su)
A mime of 20th level or higher can use his performance to create an effect equivalent to Dominate Monster, using the bard’s level as the caster level. To be affected, the target must be able to see and hear the mime perform for 1 full round and be within 30 feet. The target receives a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the bard’s level + the mime’s Cha modifier) to negate the effect. If a creature’s saving throw succeeds, the target is subject to a Suggestion spell for 1d4 rounds, and the mime cannot use puppeteer expression on that creature again for 24 hours. If a creature's saving throw fails, it is dominated, and follows every visual orders given by the mime as a free action, as if it was a living puppet. Puppeteer expression is a mind-affecting effect that relies on visual components.
This ability replaces deadly performance.