"Starknife Scion" Bard, Juggler (Aasimar)

Self-Interested Preface: Made a bard, made a thrown-weapon character, and made a combat-capable hybrid dependent on a mental trait, all of which're new territory for me.  This is a Juggler-archetype bard of Desna, using another iteration of the Divine Fighting Technique to make CHA the attribute for its starknife's attack and damage and combining it with the Startoss Style Chain and Arcane Strike to be a relevant combatant after it starts its bardic performance.  It's not meant to be front-line, being a fucking bard, but it has enough saving throws, spells and buffs to toss around that it ought to be able to protect itself if enemies end up closing the gap.

Juggler trades away the Versatile Performance bard ability (lets a bard use a Perform skill in lieu of a couple other skills), Bardic Knowledge (level-dependent Knowledge check bonuses), and Lore Master for a pretty awesome soft Quick Draw and a Deflect Arrows and Snatch Arrows variant that improves with level.  At level 17, when the ability caps, this character can deflect three ranged attacks and catch three ranged attacks per round, none of which actually count as an action.  The soft Quick Draw is the idea that this character's always juggling, like ALWAYS juggling, so its weapons and any other items are always out and ready to throw, though it has to make Sleight Of Hand skill checks to avoid dropping them in situations involving concentration.  It also trades out Well-Versed (haha who cares) and Soothing Performance (eh) for Evasion (yes) and Improved Evasion (hell yes).

Most of its feats are combat-oriented, coming in as it slowly qualifies for Startoss, which let it use a standard action to throw its starknife and bounce it off enemies to deal damage to each of them.  Arcane Strike comes into play at 9th because it's a bard so of course it has Arcane Strike, while Divine Fighting Technique (Way Of The Shooting Star) is in play the entire time.  It ends up with some pretty impressive flat-bonus attack capabilities- Startoss Style lets it use its highest BAB for each attack while bouncing the starknife, all as a standard action so this character can still move around and Bardic Performance and Arcane Strike and everything.  Riving Strike shows up at 13th to let this character no-save debuff with every hit, which is fantastic(though it also lists arcane spellcasting as a prerequisite, the -2 to saving throws is against all spells/spell-like abilities).  Something to note is that this build doesn't have Precise Shot until level 17- I wanted this character online attack-and-damagewise quickly, and Precise Shot isn't absolutely necessary if you can choose your enemies and turn order carefully.  That said, the -4 to already-engaged enemies can hurt if you're not.

Versatile Performance has its uses as a bard ability, letting a bard stretch its Perform skills out to other skills.  Bardic Knowledge and Lore Master make a bard a natural at Knowledge checks.  But the Bardic Masterpiece Pageant Of The Peacock makes those class abilities look like a fucking embarrassment- as a standard action, it lets a bard substitute its Bluff check for any INT or INT-based check with a +4 bonus at any point during the next TEN MINUTES in exchange for ONE ROUND OF BARDIC PERFORMANCE.  This ability's fucking broken.  This ability makes every INT character look like an uninspired dumbass.  This ability makes inquisitors and slayers and whoever-the-fuck-else wants to make Knowledge checks to look at abilities ashamed to even try.  With incredible CHA and every-level Bluff investment, after level 4, this character pretends to know EVERYTHING about EVERYTHING and it's fucking RIGHT.  As a 3rd-level spell, a bard can pick up Glibness which, by description, would add a +20 to Bluff when used to "convince another of the truth of your words," which, and it's GM discretion, sounds like it's right in line with the pompous self-promotion that makes the Pageant Of The Peacock so ostentatious it makes you smarter than everyone else.  At level 4, this character's base Bluff with the Peacock bonus would be +13- if Glibness was obtained at level 7 (at the earliest), it'd be +36 to all Knowledge checks, Appraise checks, Craft checks, and Spellcraft checks.

To reinscribe the hardest Knowledge checks from Paizo's Knowledge skill page:
Identifying spells cast on you is a Knowledge (Arcana) check of 25+spell level (highest is 34).
Identifying underground hazards is Knowledge (Dungeoneering) of 15+hazard's CR (auto-success on any hazard of CR 22 or less).
Identifying structural weaknesses is Knowledge (Engineering) 20.
Knowing where the nearest anything is is Knowledge (Geography) 20.
Knowing obscure history is Knowledge (History) 20.
Knowing about nearby unknown organizations is Knowledge (Local) 20.
Identifying natural hazards is Knowledge (Nature) of 15+hazard's CR (auto-success on any hazard of CR 22 or less).
Knowing about a royal line of succession is Knowledge (Nobility) 20.
Identifying a creature's planar origin is Knowledge (Planes) 20.
Knowing about an obscure cult or religion is Knowledge (Religion) 20.
Identifying a creature's weaknesses is a Knowledge check relative to that creature equal to 15+creature's CR (again, auto-success on any hazard of CR 22 or less).
Deciphering a scroll is 20+spell level (maximum 29).
Determining the value of any item is Appraise 20.  Determining the most valuable item in a hoard can go up to Appraise 30, which is still less than your level 7 minimum roll of 37.

(Remember that a natural 1 does not auto-fail skill checks.)

Two issues worth mentioning are: your GM may not allow Glibness, with which I'd disagree but whatever.  This character's still amazing at Knowledge skills without spending points on them.
Second issue's that you can't attempt a Knowledge roll of higher than 10 without being untrained.  That means ten skill points into Knowledge skills to get each of them, one point for Appraise, and one point for Spellcraft.  At level 10, the Jack-Of-All-Trades bard ability lets you use all skills as if they were trained, rendering this issue moot.  However, that's kind of a while to wait.  I didn't denote it below, but it might be a good idea to spend a couple levels adding a skill point instead of a hit point as a favored class bonus, to make this character trained in certain desired Knowledges.  Up to you!

This character spends its skill points on Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Sleight Of Hand, and Use Magic Device.  Justification is as follows:
-Bluff's for the above-exhaustively-described peacock thing.  Kind of extremely important.
-Diplomacy's for this character to be the party face, which it might as well be with its high Bluff and CHA and racial Diplomacy bonus.
-Perception's useful for every character, and this one gets a racial bonus.
-Perform (Dance) is only necessary until level 4 if the only dance obtained is the peacock one- however, this build adds The Dance Of 23 Steps, which is kind of defensively incredible, acting as a free-action Combat Expertise with no detriment (it only applies a penalty to melee attacks, not thrown).  It progresses based on ranks in Perform (Dance), though.
-Sleight-Of-Hand is useful for juggling, due to the errata in the archetype.  It might not be as important with a returning weapon or a Blinkback Belt, though.  This is the most likely candidate for replacement.
-Use Magic Device massively increases the utility of bards.  That's just what it does.  Wands, scrolls, alignment/race-specific-activation items, etc.- you're the person.  It's part of what you do.

I'd like to mention the base Bardic Performances, but I've honestly never played a bard (just a skald, which is pretty different) so I don't have a ton to say there.  Community-Minded is an amazing, every-bard-should-have-this trait, which is a free-but-better Lingering Performance feat.  Actual bard guides'd have more to say on all that.

Penultimate thing I'd like to mention is spells- I put spells for each level, which I recommend based on personal experience.  Of note is Windy Escape, a 1st-level life-saver all the way up until everything has magical weapons (though there're still powerful creatures with natural attacks it might help with), a few of the Finale spells (Saving Finale is especially neat) since Community-Minded means the performance's effects remain, Tongues since this is the party face, and Full Pouch, which I'll some-time write a guide about because it's so fucking broken.  They're generally modular though, based on campaign and desire.

Real quick, because I'm so fuckin into charts, here's a breakdown of by-level attack-and-damage modifiers:

Of particular value, since both Arcane Strike and Bardic Performances are swift actions, is the Corset Of Delicate Moves, a 2000 GP chest-slot item which lets a character take an additional swift action as a move action.

And the last thing I'd like to mention is that the above chart is relevant for both throwing and melee combat.  The language in Startoss Style, verbatim, is:
"Choose one weapon from the thrown fighter weapon group. While using this style and the chosen weapon, you gain a bonus on damage rolls made with the weapon equal to 2 + 2 per style feat you possess that lists Startoss Style as a prerequisite (maximum +6 damage).
You cannot use this ability if you are carrying a weapon or a shield in your off hand (except for a buckler)."
It says "while using this style and the chosen weapon", with no mention of needing to throw it, and since a starknife's description includes the errata of being both a thrown and a melee weapon, this character remains just as viable in melee(though, again, it's not built to tank).

Geez, this preface is real fucking long.

This, like most of my builds (to me, anyway), feels like it'd be pretty fun to play.  Having most of its abilities- attack, damage, Bardic Performance, spells, Appraise/Bluff/Diplomacy/Knowledge/Perform/Spellcraft/Use Magic Device- all based on CHA is a comfortable kind of power-playing to me.  I think this character would stay relevant for an entire campaign, being above-average and useful in every situation.  It probably shouldn't get into any duels, but if it ended up having to take on a boss or something it has enough tricks to do more than die embarrassingly.

This build created in November of 2016.

Bard (Juggler), Level 20

[must be Chaotic Good and worship Desna]

Race: Aasimar +2 CHA, +2 WIS (+1 Hit Point/+1 Skill Point/+1/6 level regarding specific bard song)

Racial Traits

Celestial Resistance [acid, cold and electricity resist 5 (7 with Unscathed magic trait)]

Incorruptable (cast corruption resistance against evil* once per day at character level, lasts 1 hour/level if on self)

Scion of Humanity (counts as outsider and humanoid, can pass as human)

Skilled (+2 Diplomacy and Perception)

Darkvision 60’

Character Traits/Drawbacks

Drawback: Warded Against Nature (DC 20 Handle Animal to get animals to approach within 30’)

Magic: Unscathed (+2 to each energy resistance)

Race, Adopted (Human): Carefully Hidden (+1 to Will and +2 to saving throws against divination effects)

Regional: Community-Minded (any morale bonuses granted by abilities/spells last 2 additional rounds)

Class Skills: Acrobatics, Appraise, Bluff, Climb, Craft (Any), Diplomacy, Disguise, Escape Artist, Intimidate, Knowledge (Any), Linguistics, Perception, Perform (Any), Profession (Any), Sense Motive, Sleight Of Hand, Spellcraft, Stealth, and Use Magic Device.

Known Languages: Common, Celestial

1: Bard (Juggler) 2, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +0

            Base Saves: +2/+3/+4

New Feats: Simple and Martial-Thrown Weapon Proficiencies, Light Armor Proficiency, Fast Reactions (1^st), Deflect Arrows, Bardic Performance, Bard Spellcasting, [1^st Level Feat] Divine Fighting Technique (Way Of The Shooting Star), [Anti-Hero] Point-Blank Shot

Skills(6): Bluff, Climb, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Use Magic Device

New Spells:    0^th Level- Detect Magic, Mending, Message, Prestidigitation

1^st Level- Saving Finale, Windy Escape

Base Spells Per Day: 2 Lvl. 1

New Performances: Countersong, Distraction, Fascination, Inspire Courage (+1)

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Standard action start, free-action maintain; 8 rounds, lasts two rounds after stopping performance

2: Bard (Juggler) 2, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +1

            Base Saves: +2/+4/+5

New Feats: Combat Juggling (three items), Evasion

Skills(6): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Sense Motive, Use Magic Device

New Spells:    0^th Level- Sift

1^st Level- Memory Lapse

Base Spells Per Day: 3 Lvl. 1

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Standard action start, free-action maintain; 10 rounds, lasts two rounds after stopping performance

3: Bard (Juggler) 3, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +2

            Base Saves: +3/+4/+5

New Feats: [3^rd Level Feat] Weapon Focus (Starknife)

Skills(6): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Sleight Of Hand, Use Magic Device

New Spells:    0^th Level- Read Magic

1^st Level- Feather Fall

Base Spells Per Day: 4 Lvl. 1

New Performances: Inspire Competence (+2)

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Standard action start, free-action maintain; 12 rounds, lasts two rounds after stopping performance

4: Bard (Juggler) 4, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +3

            Ability Score Increase: CHA +1 (20)

            Base Saves: +3/+5/+6

New Feats: (none)

Skills(6): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Sleight Of Hand, Use Magic Device

New Spells:     2^nd – Tongues, (Masterpiece)

Base Spells Per Day: 5 Lvl. 1, 2 Lvl. 2

New Performances: [Bardic Masterpiece] Pageant Of The Peacock

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Standard action start, free-action maintain; 15 rounds, lasts two rounds after stopping performance

5: Bard (Juggler) 5, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +3

            Base Saves: +3/+5/+6

New Feats: Snatch Arrows, [5^th Level Feat] Startoss Style (Starknife)

Skills(6): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Sleight Of Hand, Use Magic Device, +1 other

New Spells:     2^nd – Glitterdust

Base Spells Per Day: 6 Lvl. 1, 3 Lvl. 2

New Performances: Inspire Courage (+2)

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Standard action start, free-action maintain; 17 rounds, lasts two rounds after stopping performance

6: Bard (Juggler) 6, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +4

            Base Saves: +4/+6/+7

New Feats: Combat Juggling (four items)

Skills(6): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Sleight Of Hand, Use Magic Device

New Spells:     2^nd – Darkness

Base Spells Per Day: 6 Lvl. 1, 4 Lvl. 2

New Performances: Suggestion

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Standard action start, free-action maintain; 19 rounds, lasts two rounds after stopping performance

7: Bard (Juggler) 7, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +5

            Base Saves: +4/+6/+7

New Feats: (Startoss Style damage bonus increases to +4), [7^th Level Feat] Startoss Comet

Skills(6): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Sleight Of Hand, Use Magic Device

New Spells:    1^st – Liberating Command

                        3^rd – Arcane Concordance, See Invisibility

Base Spells Per Day: 6 Lvl. 1, 4 Lvl. 2, 2 Lvl. 3

New Performances: Inspire Competence (+3)

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Move-action start, free-action maintain; 21 rounds, lasts two rounds after stopping performance

8: Bard (Juggler) 8, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +6/+1

            Ability Score Increase: CHA +1 (21)

            Base Saves: +4/+7/+8

New Feats: (none)

Skills(6): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Sleight Of Hand, Use Magic Device

New Spells:    3^rd – (Masterpiece)

Base Spells Per Day: 6 Lvl. 1, 5 Lvl. 2, 3 Lvl. 3

New Performances: Dirge Of Doom, [Bardic Masterpiece] The Dance Of 23 Steps

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Move-action start, free-action maintain; 23 rounds, lasts two rounds after stopping performance

9: Bard (Juggler) 9, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +6/+1

            Base Saves: +5/+7/+8

New Feats: [9^th Level Feat] Arcane Strike (currently +2)

Skills(6): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Sleight Of Hand, Use Magic Device

New Spells:    3^rd – Purging Finale

Base Spells Per Day: 7 Lvl. 1, 5 Lvl. 2, 4 Lvl. 3

New Performances: Inspire Greatness

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Move-action start, free-action maintain; 25 rounds, lasts two rounds after stopping performance

10: Bard (Juggler) 10, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +7/+2

            Base Saves: +5/+8/+9

New Feats: (Arcane Strike bonus increases to +3), Combat Juggling (five items), Jack-Of-All-Trades

Skills(6): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Sleight Of Hand, Use Magic Device

New Spells:    2^nd – Full Pouch

                        4^th – Freedom Of Movement, Primal Scream

Base Spells Per Day: 7 Lvl. 1, 5 Lvl. 2, 4 Lvl. 3, 2 Lvl. 4

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Move-action start, free-action maintain; 27 rounds, lasts two rounds after stopping performance

11: Bard (Juggler) 11, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +8/+3

            Base Saves: +5/+8/+9

New Feats: (Startoss Style damage bonus increases to +6), Fast Reactions (11^th), [11^th Level Feat] Startoss Shower (currently two targets)

Skills(6): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Sleight Of Hand, Use Magic Device

New Spells:    1^st – Dancing Darkness

4^th – Greater Invisibility

Base Spells Per Day: 7 Lvl. 1, 5 Lvl. 2, 5 Lvl. 3, 3 Lvl. 4

New Performances: Inspire Competence (+4), Inspire Courage (+3)

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Move-action start, free-action maintain; 29 rounds, lasts two rounds after stopping performance

12: Bard (Juggler) 12, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +9/+4

            Ability Score Increase: CHA +1 (22)

            Base Saves: +6/+9/+10

New Feats: Improved Evasion

Skills(6): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Sleight Of Hand, Use Magic Device

New Spells:    4^th – Shadowform

Base Spells Per Day: 7 Lvl. 1, 7 Lvl. 2, 5 Lvl. 3, 4 Lvl. 4

New Performances: Inspire Competence (+4), Inspire Courage (+3)

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Move-action start, free-action maintain; 32 rounds, lasts two rounds after stopping performance

13: Bard (Juggler) 13, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +9/+4

            Base Saves: +6/+9/+10

New Feats: [13^th Level Feat] Riving Strike

Skills(6): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Sleight Of Hand, Use Magic Device

New Spells:    3^rd – Contingent Action

                        5^th – Bard’s Escape, Shadowbard

Base Spells Per Day: 7 Lvl. 1, 7 Lvl. 2, 5 Lvl. 3, 4 Lvl. 4, 2 Lvl. 5

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Swift-action start, free-action maintain; 34 rounds, lasts two rounds after stopping performance

14: Bard (Juggler) 14, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +10/+5

            Base Saves: +6/+10/+11

New Feats: (Startoss Shower maximum targets increase to three), Combat Juggling (six items)

Skills(6): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Sleight Of Hand, Use Magic Device

New Spells:    2^nd – Anti-Summoning Shield

                        5^th – Mass Mydriatic Spontaneity

Base Spells Per Day: 7 Lvl. 1, 7 Lvl. 2, 5 Lvl. 3, 5 Lvl. 4, 3 Lvl. 5

New Performances: Frightening Tune

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Swift-action start, free-action maintain; 36 rounds, lasts two rounds after stopping performance

15: Bard (Juggler) 15, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +11/+6/+1

            Base Saves: +7/+10/+11

New Feats: (Arcane Strike bonus increases to +4), [15^th Level Feat] Lingering Performance

Skills(6): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Sleight Of Hand, Use Magic Device

New Spells:    5^th – Greater Dispel Magic

Base Spells Per Day: 7 Lvl. 1, 7 Lvl. 2, 6 Lvl. 3, 5 Lvl. 4, 4 Lvl. 5

New Performances: Inspire Competence (+4), Inspire Heroics

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Swift-action start, free-action maintain; 38 rounds, lasts four rounds after stopping performance

16: Bard (Juggler) 16, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +12/+7/+2

            Ability Score Increase: CHA +1 (23)

            Base Saves: +7/+11/+12

New Feats: (none)

Skills(6): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Sleight Of Hand, Use Magic Device

New Spells:    4^th – Dimension Door

                        6^th – Brilliant Inspiration, Fool’s Forbiddance

Base Spells Per Day: 7 Lvl. 1, 7 Lvl. 2, 6 Lvl. 3, 5 Lvl. 4, 4 Lvl. 5, 2 Lvl. 6

New Performances: Inspire Competence (+4), Inspire Heroics

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Swift-action start, free-action maintain; 40 rounds, lasts four rounds after stopping performance

17: Bard (Juggler) 17, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +12/+7/+2

            Base Saves: +7/+11/+12

New Feats: Fast Reactions (17^th), [17^th Level Feat] Precise Shot

Skills(6): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Sleight Of Hand, Use Magic Device

New Spells:    3^rd – Glibness

6^th – Overwhelming Presence

Base Spells Per Day: 7 Lvl. 1, 7 Lvl. 2, 6 Lvl. 3, 5 Lvl. 4, 5 Lvl. 5, 3 Lvl. 6

New Performances: Inspire Courage (+4)

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Swift-action start, free-action maintain; 42 rounds, lasts four rounds after stopping performance

18: Bard (Juggler) 18, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +13/+8/+3

            Base Saves: +8/+12/+13

New Feats: Combat Juggling (seven items)

Skills(6): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Sleight Of Hand, Use Magic Device

New Spells:    6^th – Dirge Of The Victorious Knights

Base Spells Per Day: 7 Lvl. 1, 7 Lvl. 2, 6 Lvl. 3, 6 Lvl. 4, 5 Lvl. 5, 4 Lvl. 6

New Performances: Mass Suggestion

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Swift-action start, free-action maintain; 44 rounds, lasts four rounds after stopping performance

19: Bard (Juggler) 19, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +14/+9/+4

            Base Saves: +8/+12/+13

New Feats: [19^th Level Feat] Signature Skill: Perform (Dance)

Skills(6): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Sleight Of Hand, Use Magic Device

New Spells:    5^th – Vengeful Outrage

Base Spells Per Day: 7 Lvl. 1, 7 Lvl. 2, 6 Lvl. 3, 6 Lvl. 4, 6 Lvl. 5, 5 Lvl. 6

New Performances: Inspire Competence (+6)

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Swift-action start, free-action maintain; 46 rounds, lasts four rounds after stopping performance

20: Bard (Juggler) 20, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +15/+10/+5

            Ability Score Increase: CHA +1 (24)

            Base Saves: +8/+13/+14

New Feats: (Arcane Strike bonus increases to +5), [Signature Skill: Perform (Dance)

 Skill Unlock (20^th)- Intimidate], (Startoss Shower maximum targets increase to four)

Skills(6): Bluff, Diplomacy, Perception, Perform (Dance), Sleight Of Hand, Use Magic Device

New Spells:    4^th – Horrific Doubles

                        6^th – Magnifying Chime

Base Spells Per Day: 7 Lvl. 1, 7 Lvl. 2, 7 Lvl. 3, 6 Lvl. 4, 6 Lvl. 5, 6 Lvl. 6

New Performances: Deadly Performance

Base Bard Song Action; Rounds/Day: Swift-action start, free-action maintain; 49 rounds, lasts four rounds after stopping performance