Complete Guide to the Performance Skill in D&D 5e
I feel like Performance is a skill that we all wish was used more often, but frequently ends up as one of those forgotten skills that even the DM forgets about. The designers also seem to have forgotten about this skill, as hardly any features or spells refer to it or use it for anything. That’s a real shame, as no other skill so easily calls for fun roleplay moments at the table. This makes Performance one of those skills that comes up exactly as often as you, the player, wish for it to. Player action is basically the only reason that a DM would call for this. For those of you who do want to specialize in this skill, let’s talk about how to make the most of it at the table.
Combining Performance with Proficiency in Musical Instruments
Thanks to Xanathar’s expanded rules for tools, if you have proficiency in both an instrument and the Performance skill, you have advantage on checks used to entertain with that instrument, as both proficiencies apply. This is important to remember, as nothing sucks more than devoting a sizable chunk of your proficiencies only to suck at what you made your character to be an expert in because you rolled poorly.
Using Performance during Downtime
Somehow, amidst the myriad of downtime activity options included in Xanathar’s Guide, there are no clear cut rules for using this skill to earn money or favors during downtime. This means that how this works will vary from table to table, so let’s talk to the DMs for a bit. If you have a character who has chosen to be proficient in this skill, reward them for that fact, as they had many better options. Allow the player to use this skill during downtime to perform whatever their show is to gain money. This can be done by performing on the street, in a tavern, even at a formal performance if your player character has grown famous enough to warrant one. This provides a great opportunity for that character to support the party monetarily, have fun moments to shine, and you could even incorporate it into your story. One of your players holding a concert sounds like an excellent set up for your new villain to crash the party and cause a scene.
Using Performance for Distractions
Ah yes, the cornerstone of any good infiltration: the distraction. There are plenty of ways to make a good distraction, including plenty of things that won’t require this skill whatsoever, but if you are the type of player who loves to use Disguise Self and similar tactics, consider how Performance may be the correct skill to apply rather than something like Deception. This is especially true if you are trying to pass yourself off as someone or something you aren’t. You can definitely argue that Deception also applies in those situations, but we’ve all had the Bard disguise themselves as someone quite alluring in order to get the guards to leave their post. That is Performance all the way, as it doesn’t matter how good your lies are if you can’t play the part well.
In Summary:
I really wouldn’t recommend taking this skill unless you have a plan for it, and your DM has signed off on that plan. Outside of that, steer clear of this one. You won’t miss it, and if you do end up missing it, you as a player may just need this skill on all of your characters. They do say that the spotlight is addictive…
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