performance skill, how exactly does it work?

[Negative Zero]

with regards to the perform skill, the handbook says:

The character is capable of one form of performance per rank.

so, how do you handle perform checks?

- 1) assuming and 18 CHA, a lvl 1 bard and 4 ranks of perform, 1 rank each in lute, mandolin, flute and singing; to determine his perform check, does a bard roll:

- a) 1d20+5 (+4 for his CHA ability and +1 for his rank in the relevant instrument)

or

- b) 1d20+8 (+4 for his CHA ability and +4 for all of his ranks in perform)

or;

- 2) assuming and 18 CHA, a lvl 1 bard and 4 ranks of perform, 1 rank each in lute, dancing, acting/drama and singing; to determine his perform check, does a bard roll:

- c) 1d20+8 (+4 for his CHA ability and +4 for all of his ranks in perform assuming that he uses them all at the same time)

or

- d) choose a "lead" instrument and make assist rolls for the the "accompanying" ones at 1d20+4 each?

anyone?

thanks in advance,
~NegZ

 

[CRGreathouse]

B is the correct answer. Unlike Knowledge, you only have one Perform score. With 18 Cha and the ranks described in your post, you get +8 for lute and +4 (all Cha) for chant and other untrained forms of performance.

Edit: I love your sig, by the way.

 

[Crothian]

Your perform skill is equal to your ranks. For each rank you can do one perform ability. It's not one rank in each ability. It's 4 ranks in perform with the ability to do 4 perfomance types. So, with 4 ranks you have different perform options, but they are all at +8 (assuming +4 Cha bonus). So, the first answer is B.

Does that make more sense?

 

[Stalker0]

Perform, yeah its so innocent looking until that bard starts rolling 30's and 40's on her fascinate checks and sneaks by that great wyrm without a hitch

 

[MeepoTheMighty]

Your perform skill is equal to your ranks. For each rank you can do one perform ability. It's not one rank in each ability. It's 4 ranks in perform with the ability to do 4 perfomance types. So, with 4 ranks you have different perform options, but they are all at +8 (assuming +4 Cha bonus). So, the first answer is B.

Does that make more sense?

It makes sense until you get into high levels and can't think of any more performance types

I made a level 15 bard once who knew how to pantomime, spin plates, and prune bonsai trees because I didn't know what else to give him

 

[Crothian]

It makes sense until you get into high levels and can't think of any more performance types

I made a level 15 bard once who knew how to pantomime, spin plates, and prune bonsai trees because I didn't know what else to give him

I had my perform up to 27 ranks and I still had things i was unablr to choose.

 

[bensei]

I made a level 15 bard once who knew how to pantomime, spin plates, and prune bonsai trees because I didn't know what else to give him.

Come on. You certainly know more than 10 instruments!

 

[silvertable81]

I have 2 words for you, Song & Silence

 

[Negative Zero]

I have 2 words for you, Song & Silence

wouldn't that be three words then?

 

[Fenes 2]

I heard that in Dragon Magazine 301 there is a variant rule that allows bards to specialize in some perform skills. Anyone knows more? It will be about a month until my shop will get it.