Versatile Performance and archetype synergy

[Darkwingpuck]

I am working on making a roguish bard who will be a master manipulator and infiltrator and who will be acting as an "inside man" for another character playing a ninja assassin type. I was imagining him as a non-combatant who, if forced into combat, uses trickery and misdirection instead of actually dealing damage. To that end I was looking at the Street Performer archetype which seems surprisingly perfect.

My question is this:

The Street Performer's "Streetwise" ability which replaces Bardic Knowledge is pretty cool and gives me a boost to almost all of the skills I'm looking for. However, I then realized the power of Versatile Performance and how by focusing on Acting and Oratory I could be a truly outstanding liar and cheat. The problem is that I can't tell from the wording if any of the Street Performer's coolest abilities share any synergy with Versatile Performance.

Does the Street Performer's bonus to bluff also apply to Perform(Acting) when using it to Bluff? The wording of Versatile Performance seems to indicate no but the flavor of the archetype seems to say yes.

While I like the archetype, if I have to choose between versatile performance or the archetype's bonus then it just doesn't seem very appealing. I'm having to give up a MAJOR Bard class ability and gaining an option which would force me to neglect another of the bards major abilities.

Also, a Street Performer's "Quick Change" ability replaces Lore Master and allows him to take a 10 on bluff and disguise checks. Can a 10 also be taken on the check when using Versatile Performer to replace bluff and disguise with Performance (Acting)? If not then it seems like the synergy of the archetype is way off since I would actually be penalized for making use of either ability. If I focus on Acting then I'll have wasted bonuses and options in bluff and disguise. If I focus on bluff and disguise then I get no actual benefit for building up acting, but acting is what I imagine the character being best at! The class offers a flavor but It seems to force me to pay a premium for the flavor it's supposed to bolster.

Thoughts please?

[DeathQuaker]

I read a fellow poster recently note that RAW, technically, bonuses to one skill do not transfer to bonuses to skill checks you make via Versatile Performance. Because, you see, the language says it is, for example, a bonus to a "Bluff check," not a "Performance check."

It's troublesome. Versatile Performance notes you use your bonus to the Perform skill instead of the skill it is meant to mimic. You COULD interpret that as -- "I am making a Bluff check, but I am substituting my Perform modifier for it... but since I am still making a Bluff check, I also get to add my other bonuses to Bluff checks I get from class abilities, etc." Which is the opposite of what I said above. I don't feel it's clear.

Were I your GM, I would allow the bonuses to stack, as I feel the intent is basically to allow the performance skills to replace the other skills entirely--or else the class ability isn't very useful at all.

Versatile Performance is either one of the best abilities for a bard or the worst, depending on how you build a character and how permutations of the rules for it are interpreted.

Talk about it with your GM.

[StreamOfTheSky]

I wouldn't do street performer. You're basically giving up inspire courage for an extremely gimpy version of invisibility. By that, I mean "it's invisibility, except everyone affected has to fail a will save for the rogue to actually be invisible to them."

Seriously, that's awful. I know you want to avoid combat, but unless you really think you'll be able to, the Archaeologist archetype is a pretty roguish bard. Since the inspire courage replacement is already labeled as luck, you can easily fluff it as such. You defeat foes through luck, deadly dodging, and other happenstance, rather than your own combat ability. With the archetype, you can really pair well with the rogue. You'd need to multiclass for an actual sneak attack die (just 1d6 will do), but the rogue will love you if you get Distracting Attack. Perhaps if you talk to your DM, he'd let you use Assault Leader w/o actual sneak attack damage, but only when you'd meet the conditions for sneak attack (foe lost dex to AC or is flanked) so you don't have to stray from Bard.

Also, a general note...every Archaeologist ever should take Lingering Performance, and possibly Extra Performance.

[Darkwingpuck]

I know that street performers Bardic Music options are kinda lame compared to normal, but the Bardic music isn't what interests me. Its their 5th level quick change ability. Being able to take a 10 on Bluff and Disguise or take a 20 once a day or more PLUS being able to feint in combat as a swift action. And all that is on top of giving them the ability to put on a disguise as a standard action! Thats an ability that the Lion Blade prestige class doesn't get untill like lvl 10, and it takes a full round action....That's pretty amazing for a 5th lvl class ability.