Perform vs Bluff

[HoskBenson]

Hi folks,

I have been playing a bard lately and have been using both Bluff and Perform checks in conversations with others, depending on the circumstance.

I am basically using Perform skill when attempting to portray or act out a specific emotion or facial expression that runs contrary to what my character actually feels. For example:

She smiled at the man, an amused expression upon her face.

Assume I am not amused, lets say I want to strangle this fellow instead. Do you think perform is appropriate here?

Recently a player questioned it. They ended up going along with it, but now I am here seeking your general opinions.

Moreover, it brings up the question, what would be a fair opposed roll to detect "bad acting"? I was going to suggest a basic Sense Motive check, what do you all think?

[Zephyr]

I believe perform is strictly pertaining to entertainment, rather than giving a false meaning. If you're misleading it's bluff, if you're trying to entertain, amuse, or incite a feeling in someone through dance, song, etc it's perform.

[Fezzik]

I've used perform as a bard when, say, I was trying to mimic an accent of some sort against another char, but I still used Bluff for the over all effect. Perhaps perform would enhance your over all bluff (actors are good at bluffing... look at Leonardo DeCaprio, everyone thinks he can act!... I'll never know why though, guess i have a good Sense Motive ).

[Thief Of Navarre]

Thats the way I think of it Fezzik! According to Complete Warrior (p45) the Invisible blade has perform as a class skill ~ an apt skill for a master of misdirection no?

[Phantom Lamb]

Bluff should be used if you're trying to deceive someone.

That being said, I wouldn't overuse the skill rolls for trivial things. Generally, I rely on the bluff target to make a Sense Motive roll, then respond as appropriate. If it's an big time lie, that's different -- I'd probably roll the bluff myself. But for a lot of lies, I don't think a roll is needed unless the target suspects you of lying.

Unintentional metagaming is always a challenge, which is why I'd avoid overusing the bluff roll. People see you bluffing a lot, and even good RPers will change their reactions to your character in general. As a player, I also tend to gravitate away from folks who roll the skill dice too much!

[Zephyr]

If you don't know if you're using the skill die too much, tell tale signs are making strength checks to lift something up (carrying capacity exists for a reason), or making inappropriate balance checks when walking, or using use rope to tie your boots, etc.

It generally just creates clutter and makes it awkward to respond to the player.

[Spacedog]

using use rope to tie your boots, etc.

If you roll really high on your use rope, and you have no escape artist points, you'd be locked in your boots forever! D:

[GodBeastX]

They'd just be notted forever. You'd have to cut the laces

[nezzerscape]

I've used perform as a bard when, say, I was trying to mimic an accent of some sort against another char, but I still used Bluff for the over all effect. Perhaps perform would enhance your over all bluff (actors are good at bluffing... look at Leonardo DeCaprio, everyone thinks he can act!... I'll never know why though, guess i have a good Sense Motive ).

I agree with Fezzik on this, I only wish Leonardo was left out of the example... Dreamy eyes, hard a flutter, sigh.

[Spacedog]

You'd have to cut the laces

Alexander the Great had no points in escape artist.

[Urithrand]

Anything misleading should be a bluff check imo. The ability to fool someone in this way is still based on your ability to lie, whether with words or facial expressions. Performing is usually done under very different conditions to bluffing.

[GodBeastX]

Perform is for entertainment only.

In NWN2 it's generic, in P&P it has subskills, just like Knowledge.

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/perform.htm

For people who don't feel like clicking the link:


Each of the nine categories of the Perform skill includes a variety of methods, instruments, or techniques, a small list of which is provided for each category below.

Act (comedy, drama, mime)
Comedy (buffoonery, limericks, joke-telling)
Dance (ballet, waltz, jig)
Keyboard instruments (harpsichord, piano, pipe organ)
Oratory (epic, ode, storytelling)
Percussion instruments (bells, chimes, drums, gong)
String instruments (fiddle, harp, lute, mandolin)
Wind instruments (flute, pan pipes, recorder, shawm, trumpet)
Sing (ballad, chant, melody)



Check
You can impress audiences with your talent and skill.

Perform DC Performance
10 Routine performance. Trying to earn money by playing in public is essentially begging. You can earn 1d10 cp/day.
15 Enjoyable performance. In a prosperous city, you can earn 1d10 sp/day.
20 Great performance. In a prosperous city, you can earn 3d10 sp/day. In time, you may be invited to join a professional troupe and may develop a regional reputation.
25 Memorable performance. In a prosperous city, you can earn 1d6 gp/day. In time, you may come to the attention of noble patrons and develop a national reputation.
30 Extraordinary performance. In a prosperous city, you can earn 3d6 gp/day. In time, you may draw attention from distant potential patrons, or even from extraplanar beings.