Bard -> Master Spy [in King Maker]

[Kexle]

I'm going to be picking up a King Maker campaign as the DM in a couple months. We are in the middle/end of the second book, if that matters. I haven't started reading them yet. I want to make sure things are going to go as currently planned before I jump in. However....

A new character is joining the party and wants to play a bard that goes into Master Spy.

As far as I can tell, by RAW, Versatile Performance(Act (Bluff,Disguise)) is not sufficient to qualify the character for the PrC. He needs 7 ranks in Bluff and Disguise, not the ability to replace them with 7 ranks in Perform(Act).

However, as a game balance issue, do you see any problems in me, as the DM, allowing 7 ranks in Perform (Act) to satisfy those two requirement?

My point of view is as follows:
1. The feat requirements (Deceitful and Iron Will) are steep enough.
2. Requiring him to take 7 ranks in each of those skills, when he already plans on replacing them with versatile performance seems like a total waste of 14 skill points.
3. The PrC seem a little underpowered to me, especially since it does not improve the character's bardic music or spellcasting.
4. With the above in mind, I feel it is reasonable to allow the character to use versatile performance in place of the two skill requirements.

I would like to know if anyone else has an opinion one way or the other. Before I make up my mind, I would like to get whatever insight the internets has to offer.

Please don't tell me that by RAW he can't. I know that. I am simply wondering if things would break if I exercise my right as a DM to allow cool things to happen.

Bonus Question. If you think that it would be acceptable to allow versatile performance to take the place of those two skill rank requirements, is it also then reasonable to change the feat requirement to alertness (bonus to perception and sense motives (the other required skills)) in place of deceitful (bonus to bluff and disguise, which will be replaced and hence not ever used)?

[Pan]

Master spy isnt that powerful. I think you will be just fine allowing the Bard to qualify through versatile performance. I also see no problem with the bonus question as far as feat swapping as long as you are good with it. I wish i could say more but there isnt too much to it really.

[Kexle]

Thanks Pan.

I'm worried about switching hats from player where I like to push rules to DM where I have to try to keep them in check. I don't see any major issues, but I appreciate hearing someone else's advice.

[Pan]

No problem Kexle. Looking the class over more its 3/4 BAB with some sneak attack but not even as good as rogue levels would be. In trade you get a lot of lie abilities and masking alignment. Come 8th level you get death attack but Im not seeing any issue here your house rules would make.

I really wanted to make a master spy awhile back. Then I saw the Taldan Lion Blade and oh man do I want to make one of those! You can guess I like the Bard class a little.

[Kexle]

Thanks for pointing me towards the Lion Blade class, I'm forwarding it to my player. I hope we can pound something out between to the two of us.

I'm reminded of the original 3.0 DMG, back before WotC decided to toss out the original plan in favor of selling more splat books. Back when Prestige classes were meant to be designed to fit the character and world instead of selling books. :)

[Atarlost]

There may be Paizo PrCs you have to watch the balance on. Master Spy is not one of them. You could probably let him in with all the prereqs waived and it would still be a pure fluff over mechanics choice.

I think your player would probably be happier staying in bard. There is a lot of combat in Kingmaker. Just like pretty much every other AP. There is virtually no call for the abilities of a Master Spy in the first three books, and I doubt that changes. In Kingmaker you are the establishment. Master Spy doesn't make the best Spymaster.

[Pan]

Atarlost speaks the truth. We (by we I mean me) asked our GM to add some more political intrigue to Kingmaker. I wanted a more Deadwood feel to the game as we struggled to get our frontier nation on its feet. Since I have a pretty damn good GM he obliged. Turns out I couldn't go spymaster at the time because I was the only human and a Bard and ended up being the Baron! The people of the stolen lands didnt want to be ruled by no elf nor half-orc. Didnt want to at the time but it wore on me. Now Lupin the baron has castle named after him, ha!

Anyways yeah Master spy and to some extend Lion Blade wont be all that awesome in your standard monster encounter PF game. Be mindful of that.

[Kexle]

Thanks for the advice Ararlost and Pan. I was a player in said Kingmaker campaign until it went on hiatus. As a rogue/wizard, I found most of my rougness was a waste. I was 4th level before I rolled Disable Device. I understand that it is not a 'normal' campaign.

I'm thinking at this point my best option is to try to work with the player to make a useful class. The fluff seems good, but I would like just enough crunch to make it both fun and not suck.

The party is currently a paladin (leader), barbarian (general), priest (priestess), rogue/wizard (spymaster - previously me, but soon to be an npc). I'm not sure what role the bard is going to end up picking up.