The Street Performer can use bardic performance to make his friends invisible.
A street performer can use performance to divert attention from an ally. All creatures within 30 feet that fail a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the bard’s level + the bard’s Cha modifier) treat one creature chosen by the bard as if it were invisible. This performance affects one additional creature at 5th level and every 6 levels thereafter. If the targets take any action that would cause them to become visible, they become visible to everyone. The bard cannot use this ability on himself. This ability is a mind-affecting effect that requires visual components. This performance replaces inspire courage.
Let's brainstorm uses for this. Especially during combat. Invisibility should be really useful...
Assume there are no sneak attackers in the party. That's too obvious.
Here is what I have thought of:
(a) Allies can do combat maneuvers safely -- need to disarm a foe but no one has Improved Disarm? Now your allies can try while avoiding the AoO because they are invisible.
(b) Allies can retreat with a move action -- when the Big Bad Thing rolls a critical, the really hurt fighter can take one more swing and then safely move back to the healer (as opposed to using the Withdraw action).
(c) Allies flanking -- being invisible for one round is often enough to get behind the foe
The phrasing "as if it were invisible" has interesting ramifications vs detect invis and trueseeing enemies. EG - They're not actually invisible, they're being ignored as if they were... Would they still be able to hear you? I could visualize using this to hold a secret meeting in the middle of the street.
(e) At low levels it can combing well with the Hypnotism spell that fascinates enemies. Requests might be more reasonable if the fascinated person does not see the big Paladin in shiny armor crossing the room, or the suspicious Animal Companion in the shop.
(f) Actually, any time a creature needs to be smuggled somewhere. Having trouble getting past the gate guard with that cat-sized Spider familiar?
well, you can use it to cover for the group pickpocket as he scams the crowd. hide your buddy as he eavesdrops on the bad guys in a tavern... that sort of thing.
