Song of Steel (Performance)

Performance Name (Stance; Su)

A bard with this performance can do something cool. Each round that the bard sustains this performance, they may choose a number of their allies (including themselves) to affect with this performance, based on their current Bard level, as described below:

• At Bard levels 1 - 10, the bard may affect up to 3 allies.
• At Bard levels 11 - 20, the bard may affect up to 4 allies.
• At bard levels above 21, the bard may affect up to 5 allies.

All allies chosen to be affected must be within range of the performance (typically within 30 feet of the bard), and must be able to perceive the performance.

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No creature may be under the effects of more than one performance, even if they are being performed by different bards.

Finale: One ally that is affected by this performance at the time the finale is triggered may do something interesting.

Song of Steel (Stance; Ex)

At 2nd level, a bard learns to incorporate their performance skills into a deadly song of steel. While this stance is in effect, the bard gains a +1 competence bonus to-hit and damage on melee attacks and ranged attacks within 30 feet for every two bard levels they possess, dropping fractions, to a maximum of +10 to-hit and damage at level 19 (after level 19, it no longer increases).

In addition, whenever the bard declares a full attack action, they gain a free bonus attack at their highest to-hit number regardless of range, due to the grace of their attacks. This free bonus attack stacks with (can be used in addition to) any bonus attack they might get from Haste (Sorcerer/Wizard Spell), a weapon with the Speed magic property, etc.

Lastly, while they are performing their Song of Steel, the bard adds the bonus die from their Song of Courage song to their own attacks only, as base weapon damage.

Note that, unlike other bardic performances, the musical instrument requirement of the performance is satisfied by any weapon wielded by the bard, even if it is a one-handed, light, ranged, or thrown weapon. (Normally, the bard must use two hands to play an instrument to initiate a bardic performance.) This is true regardless of which Perform skill the bard typically uses to initiate bardic performances. In most cases, the bard will hold their normal instrument (e.g. a lute, etc.) in their off-hand during this stance, gaining the instrument's shield bonus to their AC while Song of Steel is in effect (as long as the bard doesn't otherwise use their off-hand for some other action).

Finale: The bard may slide themselves, or one ally within 30 feet of themselves, up to 10 feet. This is forced movement.