[3.5] Perform -- Does it annoy you as well?

[genshou]

All right, since everybody read my post before and failed to notice the text at the bottom, I'll make it the main topic here. Since I'm new to ENWorld, I'd like to know from fellow posters how I get a cool avatar, such as Lord Pendragon's anime char. Could I get a little help here?

 

[Charwoman Gene]

How many of you saying "It's a good change" are speaking from experience?

They needed to cut down the number of performing types, I'll agree, maybe picking them up at a reduced rate, with penalties to later picked up ones... something unique and cool.

Singing and Acting are so much more related than Woodworking and Armorsmithing...

 

[Bloodstone Mage]

And if they are going to have comedy as a type of acting, then they shouldn't also have a Perform type that is called comedy, representing buffoonery, slapstick, etc. It can get confusing.

You think that's confusing? Marlon Wayans acted a dramatic role in Requiem For A Dream. I guess he had ranks in Perform (Act), along with his Perform (Comedy).

I agree that's confusing. It was probably just some editing error.

From my point of view: In reality, as if the Perform skill were used in real life, it would be greatly varied than it is in D&D. I mean, there are so many kinds of entertainment. A lot of people who think Carrot Top is funny might not think "Mr. Show" is funny. Likewise, if Tool were ever to use their Perform skill on an audience that liked country, it wouldn't work for them (well, maybe a few). I guess WotC found that Perform should be more specialized in some manner, and that generalizing it was unrealistic. I really have no problem with it, since my gaming group has been doing it this way all along. The game of D&D is so abstract enough as it is, maybe it was a bad idea on Wizards' part, but it's not gonna change the game drastically. That's all just IMO.

Anyways, that's my two cents.

Cheers!

 

[Ferret]

Synergy anyone? Once you have 10 ranks in guitar you get +5 in Banjo, ukelalee etc. Singing give to things like Story telling, poems etc. You see?

 

[Charwoman Gene]

The skills system is just not fine-grained enough to support this.

One skill gets magical and mechanical traps.

One skill gets making Crossbows and maces.

One skill gets lying to the moron waving around a sword to "See if its magic" and feinting in combat.

One skill gets creating and detecting forgeries.

One skill gets appraising Iron Ore and fine art.

 

[Drawmack]

All right, since everybody read my post before and failed to notice the text at the bottom, I'll make it the main topic here. Since I'm new to ENWorld, I'd like to know from fellow posters how I get a cool avatar, such as Lord Pendragon's anime char. Could I get a little help here?

If you scroll down the main page you will notice a meta forum which is the place for questions like this, which is the reason you got ignored. I would recommend posting there after reading the faq.

 

[BVB]

It's a shame Wizards of the Coast didn't ask you guys before they made the change. We'd be living in a much better world now.

 

[Steverooo]

A "By-The-Stats" Bard has no reason to pick up multiple perform skills so, he is balanced with only one perform skill. Argh.

Hmmm?!?

Okay, my 3.5e is still in the mail, so I haven't seen the updates, yet, but check these for changes:

Harp of Charming (3 Ranks?)
Lyre of Building?
Pipes of...?

 

[Belen]

For those of you who think the change is good, then you must never play a Bard! Yeah, they gave the Bard a few more measely points in 3.5, but then forced them to take separate ranks for different perform styles.

What you're missing, is that anyone trained to entertain a crowd in ancient times had to know more than one style or make no money! A traveling minstrel had to know songs, ballads etc while also knowing at least one instrument, as well as a little acting. This is how said minstrel made money.

A Bard is not supposed to be a specialist. He is supposed to be a jack of all trades. So WOTC gave the Bard 2 skill points, the effectively took them away by making them take multiple performs.

3.5 perform works in d20 modern because our society is more specialized. We learn very few skills, but we know those skills far better than people back in the day.

The new perform does not work in an ancient setting as no king in his right mind is going to hire a performer who can just sing, no matter how good they are.

My personal rule is that a player can have a number of styles equal to their charisma modifier. Therefore and 18 cha. will allow the Bard to specialize in four types. However, they have to pick their instruments.

A 1st level bard could have: Dancing, Lute, Storytelling, and Acting.

Dave

 

[Aust Diamondew]

I've got a simple fix for the situation: just give the bard 2 perfom skills for free at max ranks. That way he can be skilled at 2 performs for free and if he wants take another one with his regular skill points.