HOw useful can playing the flute be? [Archive] - Wizards Community

HOw useful can playing the flute be? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
tiraelion
02-24-07, 09:58 PM I created a character recently. It's a happy bard with a +18 bonus to perform(wind instruments) at lvl 4. 7 ranks, skill focus, mw flute and +6 charisma, I'd like to know if anyone here thinks it was a good idead because i'm just getting bored of nobody apreciatting a +18. MAybe perform was not the best skill, any suggestions on how to get the best out of my perform checks?
jaelis
02-24-07, 11:26 PM The bard's fascinate ability is devastating when used correctly, and yours has an unbeatable save. Even potential threats, like your party moving past the target, don't matter because all they do is trigger another save. If nothing else, this should give your party several rounds to buff and get in position to fight, which is a huge advantage. And if all you need to do is get past the creature to achieve your goal, then you win every time. (Well, unless the target rolls a natural 20. So not every time, but pretty darn often.)
3DJutsu
02-25-07, 12:13 AM High performance checks mean lots of gold in te big cities :) And I have to say it, don't go flute, use an Ocarina (yea I said it!)
Chimaera2000
02-25-07, 04:35 AM In another two levels, the party will begin to appreciate you forcing enemies to make DC 30 Will saves or be fascinated, followed by making suggestions until the enemy fails. I'm amazed at how many people don't notice this horrendously abusable ability! No one is going to be making that save reliably and there is no limit to the number of suggestions that you can attempt to use on the enemy. It's horribly overpowered.

....so naturally, use it. :)
CaoSlayer
02-25-07, 08:06 AM there is a feat in complete mage that allows you to use perform checks in place of concentration checks besides being able to cast while playing an instrument.

So this means that using your check you can cast in the defensive rolling a 3 or better.
Finfreeze
02-25-07, 09:15 AM I'd say that playing the recorder would be an all-around better decision. Guitar would also be nice if you want to go all El Kabong on the opponent.

Make sure you incorporate the extra uses for perform as mentioned in the epic rules (doesn't explicitly say you have to be epic to make use of them, though), since they allow you to change your audience's opinion about you. It's a nice way to soften up higher ups without seeming like a sycophant. Just do a few exceptional performances, attract a noble/ruler, and turn on the charm. Soon, your patron'll open up to you, and that's when you hit them with a diplomacy check. Just be natural and sincere.

Oh, this sounds soooooooooo delicious.
Jaxgaret
02-25-07, 10:29 AM In Song and Silence, playing the Flute gave a +1 to the DC check on your Fascinate or Suggestion attempts.
Tuah
02-25-07, 05:57 PM That's an amazing build! It'd definately be a great step up over "best 5th character". ;)

But I suggest a different instrument.

Spoons.
Shadowfax7
02-25-07, 06:15 PM Must have feat = Song of the Heart to raise that DC, and almost all your Bardic Music abilities by 1.
tiraelion
02-26-07, 02:57 PM Thanks people I feel encouraged to take my flute playing character to the next level.
BW0222
02-26-07, 07:15 PM tiraelion,

It's a happy bard with a +18 bonus to perform(wind instruments) at lvl 4. 7 ranks, skill focus, mw flute and +6 charisma, I'd like to know if anyone here thinks it was a good idead because i'm just getting bored of nobody apreciatting a +18. MAybe perform was not the best skill, any suggestions on how to get the best out of my perform checks?

It really depends upon your campaign. In a standard campaign, a 7th-level bard would likely be around that level (say 10 ranks, +3 charisma, +3 skill focus, and +2 from something else (say eagle's spendor or a synergy from other performers)). So, while +18 is impressive, you would expect any good sized towns to have someone of that quality -- although maybe not flute player specifically.

A good sized city might have a few folks of that quality. Typically working for a theatre, noble, or other high-class folks. (No one else could afford to hire a 7th-level bard). So, you could expect a fair number of folks to have heard performances of that quality.

In a small country inn, that would certainly be impressive. Most folks would likely never have met anyone that good. Maybe a few merchants could remember years back when they had someone like that at a wedding or something. I would think folks would certainly appreciate hearing something of that quality for free.

However, in a high magic campaign, one with lots of fantastic creatures, or with higher-level NPCs... +18 might not be that respectable. As you've seen, perform isn't that hard to run up to fairly large numbers.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
tiraelion 02-24-07, 09:58 PM	I created a character recently. It's a happy bard with a +18 bonus to perform(wind instruments) at lvl 4. 7 ranks, skill focus, mw flute and +6 charisma, I'd like to know if anyone here thinks it was a good idead because i'm just getting bored of nobody apreciatting a +18. MAybe perform was not the best skill, any suggestions on how to get the best out of my perform checks?
jaelis 02-24-07, 11:26 PM	The bard's fascinate ability is devastating when used correctly, and yours has an unbeatable save. Even potential threats, like your party moving past the target, don't matter because all they do is trigger another save. If nothing else, this should give your party several rounds to buff and get in position to fight, which is a huge advantage. And if all you need to do is get past the creature to achieve your goal, then you win every time. (Well, unless the target rolls a natural 20. So not every time, but pretty darn often.)
3DJutsu 02-25-07, 12:13 AM	High performance checks mean lots of gold in te big cities :) And I have to say it, don't go flute, use an Ocarina (yea I said it!)
Chimaera2000 02-25-07, 04:35 AM	In another two levels, the party will begin to appreciate you forcing enemies to make DC 30 Will saves or be fascinated, followed by making suggestions until the enemy fails. I'm amazed at how many people don't notice this horrendously abusable ability! No one is going to be making that save reliably and there is no limit to the number of suggestions that you can attempt to use on the enemy. It's horribly overpowered. ....so naturally, use it. :)
CaoSlayer 02-25-07, 08:06 AM	there is a feat in complete mage that allows you to use perform checks in place of concentration checks besides being able to cast while playing an instrument. So this means that using your check you can cast in the defensive rolling a 3 or better.
Finfreeze 02-25-07, 09:15 AM	I'd say that playing the recorder would be an all-around better decision. Guitar would also be nice if you want to go all El Kabong on the opponent. Make sure you incorporate the extra uses for perform as mentioned in the epic rules (doesn't explicitly say you have to be epic to make use of them, though), since they allow you to change your audience's opinion about you. It's a nice way to soften up higher ups without seeming like a sycophant. Just do a few exceptional performances, attract a noble/ruler, and turn on the charm. Soon, your patron'll open up to you, and that's when you hit them with a diplomacy check. Just be natural and sincere. Oh, this sounds soooooooooo delicious.
Jaxgaret 02-25-07, 10:29 AM	In Song and Silence, playing the Flute gave a +1 to the DC check on your Fascinate or Suggestion attempts.
Tuah 02-25-07, 05:57 PM	That's an amazing build! It'd definately be a great step up over "best 5th character". ;) But I suggest a different instrument. Spoons.
Shadowfax7 02-25-07, 06:15 PM	Must have feat = Song of the Heart to raise that DC, and almost all your Bardic Music abilities by 1.
tiraelion 02-26-07, 02:57 PM	Thanks people I feel encouraged to take my flute playing character to the next level.
BW0222 02-26-07, 07:15 PM	tiraelion, It's a happy bard with a +18 bonus to perform(wind instruments) at lvl 4. 7 ranks, skill focus, mw flute and +6 charisma, I'd like to know if anyone here thinks it was a good idead because i'm just getting bored of nobody apreciatting a +18. MAybe perform was not the best skill, any suggestions on how to get the best out of my perform checks? It really depends upon your campaign. In a standard campaign, a 7th-level bard would likely be around that level (say 10 ranks, +3 charisma, +3 skill focus, and +2 from something else (say eagle's spendor or a synergy from other performers)). So, while +18 is impressive, you would expect any good sized towns to have someone of that quality -- although maybe not flute player specifically. A good sized city might have a few folks of that quality. Typically working for a theatre, noble, or other high-class folks. (No one else could afford to hire a 7th-level bard). So, you could expect a fair number of folks to have heard performances of that quality. In a small country inn, that would certainly be impressive. Most folks would likely never have met anyone that good. Maybe a few merchants could remember years back when they had someone like that at a wedding or something. I would think folks would certainly appreciate hearing something of that quality for free. However, in a high magic campaign, one with lots of fantastic creatures, or with higher-level NPCs... +18 might not be that respectable. As you've seen, perform isn't that hard to run up to fairly large numbers.