Watersinger Rave Bard (PFS)

[ArmouredMonk13]

Hello forumites!

At a recent Con, I got an Undine Boon for Pathfinder Society. So, because of the surplus of Melee Beatsticks and Meat Shields, and buffers/healers/skill-monkeys are few and far between, and because most of the people in my game store thinks Bards suck, I thought I'd make a Watersinger(It helps that Watersinger is a really cool archetype). So, I came up with a neat character concept. The whole thing I am still developing, but the mechanical ties are here.

Character Concept:

This bard is focused on being a "Rave Bard", who when he makes perform checks uses a chain that he casts light on in conjunction with fluctuating "Flesh Chameleon" to create a Strobe effect. In combat, he'd either buff the party, or if it would be more productive, would control water to create "Rave Sticks" to beat enemies to death.

So, after getting the concept down, I went on to the build...and got completely stuck. Any advice as to a good stat array, or some nice bard feats/tricks to go with? I don't play them much, so I don't know a ton about how they go over in actual play.

[ArmouredMonk13]

So, doing some more research, I came up with a rough stat array.

Stats:
Str8[10-2]
Dex16[14+2]
Con13
Int12
Wis12[10+2]
Cha16

I need to keep at least a 12 INT to get enough skills to cover everything.
Still, I could use any advice as to nice things for a Support character, since in the past my only support characters have been Heal-Bots, so I have a bunch of questions about Bards.

First, what Perform skill [That is eligible for Versatile Performance] would be best for "Rave"?

Second, can Perform be used for Dayjob checks in PFS normally, or do you need a boon?

Third, what are some good Bard Feats, Spells, Traits, or really other things for a caster Bard [who isn't interested in pursuing Archery]

[ArmouredMonk13]

Anyone?

[revaar]

I'd say Dance would be the best perform to approximate what you are doing with the chain.

[ArmouredMonk13]

Are there any good Fire options for bards? I ask because every Undine [or, for that matter, water-focused PCs in general] I play are Pyromaniacs at heart. It makes for some fun times.

[Gregory Connolly]

How about something along these lines:
Str 10
Dex 16
Con 12
Int 13
Wis 10
Cha 16
Take hydrated vitality and ooze breath as alternate racial traits
Feats go: Lingering Performance, Weapon Finesse, Combat Expertise, Improved Reposition, Greater Reposition, Spell Penetration
Use a whip as your weapon and use it to make combat maneuvers from outside your opponents reach. Take whatever traits and skills you want, it is your character, bards are the best skill monkeys in the game so you should have plenty if you plan your versatile performance.
Cantrips: Detect Magic, Create Water, Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Ghost Sound, Mage Hand
1st Level: Grease, Ear Piercing Scream, Hideous Laughter, Hydraulic Push, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat
2nd Level: Mirror Image, Glitterdust, Aqueous Orb, Silence, Distracting Cacophony
3rd Level: Confusion, Haste, Slow, Charm Monster
4th Level: Rainbow Pattern, Shout, Modify Memory

[ArmouredMonk13]

Gregory Connolly wrote:

How about something along these lines:

Str 10
Dex 16
Con 12
Int 13
Wis 10
Cha 16
Take hydrated vitality and ooze breath as alternate racial traits
Feats go: Lingering Performance, Weapon Finesse, Combat Expertise, Improved Reposition, Greater Reposition, Spell Penetration
Use a whip as your weapon and use it to make combat maneuvers from outside your opponents reach. Take whatever traits and skills you want, it is your character, bards are the best skill monkeys in the game so you should have plenty if you plan your versatile performance.
Cantrips: Detect Magic, Create Water, Dancing Lights, Prestidigitation, Ghost Sound, Mage Hand
1st Level: Grease, Ear Piercing Scream, Hideous Laughter, Hydraulic Push, Cure Light Wounds, Expeditious Retreat
2nd Level: Mirror Image, Glitterdust, Aqueous Orb, Silence, Distracting Cacophony
3rd Level: Confusion, Haste, Slow, Charm Monster
4th Level: Rainbow Pattern, Shout, Modify Memory

Hmm, interesting. I think I'll pass on Spell Penetration, and would swap Reposition for Trip, since feats are low in PFS and Trip actually applies an effect to help the party regardless of composition. Still, I hadn't thought of using Combat Maneuvers much, and didn't know about Rainbow Pattern. Why Ooze Breath? It seems rather weak compared to the SLA or the Amphibious replacement.

@revaar:Yeah, dance was what I had thought would go best too. I think I'll try and Max out Dance and Act, Act for Bluff and Disguise via Versatile Performance and Dance for flavor.

Still, I wonder, are there any good fire spells for bards?