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So I decided I'm going to allow myself 3 starting PFS characters, I have a Halfling Magus, a Dwarf Huntress, and I'm about to finish We Be Goblins and apply that chronicle to my third character.
I have a couple ideas for a Bard, a Monk, and a Cavalier, and I was looking through the Bard information and ran into some confusion. My idea centers around a Bard who primarily dances and wields a bladed scarf, pretty and deadly that sort of thing, but looking through Bardic Performances that doesn't really feel like it would be mechanically feasible since it seems like a lot of them rely on audible components, so since I'm going to make her either Taldan or Varisian, though I haven't decided which yet, it would make since for her to take Oration as well. However it would seem Oration doesn't count as an audible component and doesn't work for countersong?
I'm new at this, I don't have a single character past level 1 that didn't start there, I've played Pathfinder both as Society and in General but not for very long. How mechanically feasible is my idea? Would it be any more or less feasible to multiclass her into Pathfinder Agent when I can?
And one last question just for newb sake, how does one get their first Wayfinder? Isn't every pathfinder supposed to have one or do we have to buy it?
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I suggest putting at least one of your characters through scenario #5-08: The Confirmation. That will answer one of your questions ;-)
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Oration is definitely audible and works for Countersong. Dance works for almost all of the Bardic Performances, but your party needs line of sight to your Bard instead of being able to hear them.
Oration is audible. However, it will NOT work for Countersong. Countersong specifically lists the skills you can use for it: Perform (keyboard, percussion, wind, string, or sing).
That said, oration is definitely viable, and if you wish to use Countersong, you can either use one of those skills untrained, or put a rank or two into one of the skills and with static bonuses (class skill, stat bonus, circlet of persuasion, etc.) and you've got an ability that's going to be higher than most characters saves as is.
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Just so you know, I have a level 11 bard and level 14 bard, and I've only ever used countersong once (although it was damn good when he did). I also have never used distraction. Fascinate is great, but it doesn't rely on a perform check, so it doesn't matter in that regard, and neither does inspire courage.
In fact, countersong and distraction are the only two bardic performance (in the base bard) that have anything to do with a perform check.
As far as multiclass in a bard, if you do, I would highly recommend waiting until you are a level 7 bard. Level 7 is a game changing level for a bard, getting both level 3 spells and move action performance. Once you are level 7, you may find that you don't want to switch out. :p
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Versatile performance also allows you to use your perform skill in place of other skills so make sure you plan ahead for what they will cover. You get your first at 2nd level then every 4 levels after (6, 10, etc). So maxing your ranks in one perform skill also gives you max ranks in 2 other skills per versatile performance (assuming they don't overlap).
For example if you choose Oratory at 2nd level you would use your perform check in place of Diplomacy and Sense Motive, for Dance it would be Acrobatics and Fly, etc. So maxing out perform ranks in Oratory means you don't have to put any into Diplomacy & Sense Motive as they will increase as your perform skill does.
I always start with 2 different performances, one "visual" and one "auditory" based on the distraction/countersong listings. This is more so that I can use inspire courage in varying circumstances (darkness, silence, etc).
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This is more so that I can use inspire courage in varying circumstances (darkness, silence, etc).
You can use Inspire Courage without having ranks in any Perform skills at all.
Heck, I don't have any Perform skills trained, as I've traded out both Versatile Performance and Countersong, leaving me next to nothing that actually benefits from such ranks.
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This is more so that I can use inspire courage in varying circumstances (darkness, silence, etc).You can use Inspire Courage without having ranks in any Perform skills at all.
Heck, I don't have any Perform skills trained, as I've traded out both Versatile Performance and Countersong, leaving me next to nothing that actually benefits from such ranks.
Uh, flavor? Tasty tasty flavor.
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I suggest putting at least one of your characters through scenario #5-08: The Confirmation. That will answer one of your questions ;-)
This. :-)
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Uh, flavor? Tasty tasty flavor.This is more so that I can use inspire courage in varying circumstances (darkness, silence, etc).You can use Inspire Courage without having ranks in any Perform skills at all.
Heck, I don't have any Perform skills trained, as I've traded out both Versatile Performance and Countersong, leaving me next to nothing that actually benefits from such ranks.
Ha! Sure, if you call "straight-off-the-shelf plain" a "flavor". Honestly, you need to do a carefully-trained recital to inspire anyone? A primal howl and my own natural predatory grace are enough to turn my comrades into legends! You baldskins never cease to amaze me. This is why I don't bother shifting; I'm far more impressive in my natural form.
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I do have one character running The Confirmation right now actually, we're just not very far in. It's a level 1 which means it's replayable correct?
I was actually considering archetyping her as a Lotus Geisha but was unsure how painful losing Bardic Knowledge or Well Versed would be.
I really appreciate all the answers here guys, I want a useful character but at the same time I don't know what is mechanically more useful in Society and don't want to metagame anything to find out >.o
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Carefully trained recital?
Before a mission I determine which of the 20 or so languages I speak my companions do not understand. Then while we are wandering about, I mentally translate my grandmother's favorite egg quiche recipe into that language. Then, in combat, I use my impressive command of oratorical skills and linguistics, to recite the recipe while simultaneously convincing them that it is a stirring exhortation to go forth and do battle. (My extremely highly trained skill in comedy is needed to keep a straight face while doing this.)
(Why? because I can. And because it is funny.)
realizing that I am often using the spell tongues makes it even funnier...
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I love taking Oratory for 2 reasons.
1 - The versitile performance of sense motive is great with my wisdom of 8.
2 - Instead of singing or whatnot - he tells stories to inspire his companions. Stories of the greatest of all Pathfinders... himself! Especially great when telling of deeds done with people at the current table - only with himself doing all of the daring deeds - "you remember - you were there - doing... something *shrug*"