Distraction (Su): At 1st level, a bard can use his performance to counter magic effects that depend on sight. Each round of the Distraction, he makes a Perform (act, comedy, dance, or oratory) skill check. Any creature within 30 feet of the bard (including the bard himself) that is affected by an illusion (pattern) or illusion (figment) magical attack may use the bard’s Perform check result in place of its saving throw if, after the saving throw is rolled, the Perform check result proves to be higher. If a creature within range of the Distraction is already under the effect of a non-instantaneous illusion (pattern) or illusion (figment) magical attack, it gains another saving throw against the effect each round it sees the Distraction, but it must use the bard’s Perform check result for the save. Distraction does not work on effects that don’t allow saves. Distraction relies on visual components.
Rather than also include the long quote for Countersong, just know the wording is almost identical. Just substitute "sonic or language-dependent magical attack" for "illusion (pattern) or illusion (figment) magical attack" (and the types of performance are different). For this inquiry, I'll use Distraction as an example, but I hope any answer would also apply to Countersong.
My question is whether a bard can ready an action to start the appropriate type of performance if he successfully identifies (using a Spellcraft check, I assume) that an enemy is casting an illusion (pattern) or illusion (figment) spell. This makes sense to me.
The bard is eyeing the enemy wizard, ready to start his Distraction the moment he sees a spell of the appropriate type being cast.
The wizard begins his verbal and somatic actions. (The spells duration is instantaneous, but the casting time isn't; it's a standard action - about six seconds).
The bard succeeds a Spellcraft check, identifying that the wizard has begun to cast, let's say, color spray. He immediately begins his Distraction performance (perhaps a dance).
His distraction benefits his allies. They may use the bard's perform roll in place of their own saving throws, if the former is better. This reflects that the bard was able to avert their eyes from the deadly illusory spray.
Hardly overpowering, since the bard is giving up his action on the chance that a narrow range of spells will be cast. Any reason this is contrary to the rules?
Thanks!
|
I don't see it as being any more of an issue than the archer readying to shoot the caster when they start to cast, or someone getting an AoO if the caster doesn't cast defensively. I wouldn't think he could do this ready, though, if he has another performance going, but it might just end the other performance in favor of the readied one. Yeah, probably just end the Inspire Courage or whatever he was already doing in favor of switching to the Distraction/Countersong performance.
And, IMO, it would be in line with so many of the non-CRB Bard spells that end performance to give a bonus or reroll to one of the people affected by the performance.