Talk:Bard

Regarding PF bards, this versatile performance seems to be a big source of confusion because the rules as written don't use well-defined or clear terms. The crux of the issue is, when you sub your perform for a skill, which bonuses/penalties for the subbed skill apply? James Jacobs weighs in here, but I don't think he really sheds light on the issue, and he provides both opinions and rules readings. Since PF Germ is likely to be a bard, I think we should make a quick house rule. Here are the possible implementations of what gets subbed:

option	subbed	not subbed	notes
1	ranks, class skill	stat, feats, class buffs, situational	ranks and class skills seemed to be the minimum that is covered from the RAW
2	ranks, class skill, stat	feats, class buffs, situational	stat seems to be a reasonable inclusion, but is a little more powerful since you can sub cha for other weaker stats
3	ranks, class skill, stat, feats	class buffs, situational	you can focus on perform buff feats and increase feat eficiency, which seems more powerful, although perform has a few less feat options so you cap out lower
4	ranks, class skill, stat, feats, class buffs	situational	situational should never be subbed (this would mean using dance/acrobatics substitution in heavy armor with no penalty) but class buffs (like inquisitor's stern gaze, master spy's art of deception) seem special enough that they should be retained, and there is no perform class buff so this hurts a lot of prestige classes that are natural for a bard

I think 1 and 2 are the fairest and most in line with the intention--they help skill efficiency, but do not help with feat efficiency, and do not hurt special class skills. Is there a GM opinion? --Msallen