Hey, I'm playing a bard for the first time (and fairly new to this game), and I'm not quite sure how Bardic Performance works.
Here is my basic understanding of it:
Do you have to first put a skill point in perform? And you have to choose one of 9 different performances and specify which your skill point is in?
I know a bard can perform as a standard action, and then maintain it as a free action during combat, but I don't understand how a bard performs and fights at the same time. If I have a rapier and I want to fight during my performance, I'm just very confused as to how that works.
Do I want to choose one of the performances that doesn't require holding/buying an instrument to use so I can save the gold + have free hands open during combat?
Thanks.
It's confusing, but bardic performances (as in Inspire Courage, Suggestion, etc) are largely unrelated to the Perform skill. You could make a bard with zero ranks in Perform and they could still use most bardic performances without any trouble. Only a Countersong and Distraction require a skill check.
As for performing and maintaining in combat, usually a bard will perform with some kind of verbal or visual performance. She might sing, chant, dance, or anything that doesn't require the use of an instrument or some tool that would take up a hand. You could play the tuba if you really wanted to, but it's no more effective than just singing.
Concerning skill ranks, each subtype of the Perform skill (comedy, dance, oratory, wind instruments, etc) is actually a separate skill. Just like any skill you can have a maximum number of ranks in each performance equal to your character level. Knowledges work the same way.
I hope that clears things up rather than making it more confusing. ^__^
When putting ranks in the perform skill, you do indeed need to note which type of perform (from the 9) that you are choosing.
Interestingly, you do not need any ranks in Perform to use the Bardic Perform ability. That said, it is a good idea to be taking ranks in perform (see the Versatile Performance ability).
Which performance you choose to do will dictate how you can fight. If you are wanting to fight with a rapier, you had probably choose a performance that leaves at least one hand free (act, dance, comedy, oratory and sing are all good choice and you might be able to make a case you can do some of the others one handed).
Regardless of which Perform you go with, you will not be able to fight the first round that you start the performance (since it uses a standard action), but can while maintaining it (since those take free actions).
Choosing a Perform that doesn't take an instrument is a great choice for the Bardic Performance ability. At some point you want the others (again, see Versatile Performance and there are some masterwork and magic items that you could only use with the right performance skill).
Sean Mahoney