So what perform skill would this instrument need?

[SangoProduction]

We all know about them, but so rarely are they discussed, let alone used. So...I wanted to finally play a bard. One that used maracas in their performance...But I don't know what skill it would fall under. At least for tap-dancing, it has an associated skill.

[HouseRules]

In 3.0, 1 rank = 1 instrument. In 3.5, each instrument group has a separate subskill. Maracas should count as percussion instruments.

[Troacctid]

Maracas would fall under percussion.

[hamishspence]

I could see them connecting well to Perform (dance). Same with castanets.

[HouseRules]

Choose which ever that is better for the player, but no stacking, only overlapping.

[Doctor Awkward]

Maracas are percussion instruments. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maraca)

[Telok]

Are we talking maracas or baby rattles?

Baby rattles are percussion instruments. A proper cast iron maraca with some silver spikes on it is a heavy metal blunt force trauma instrument.

[SangoProduction]

Maracas are percussion instruments. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maraca)

thanks that's...I don't know why I didn't check the wiki.

[ezekielraiden]

thanks that's...I don't know why I didn't check the wiki.

As noted above though, there's a very reasonable interpretation that says Perform(Dance) is an appropriate skill, if that's more your speed. That implies you only really know how to use it while dancing, which seems decently flavorful to me, but it's also got other mechanical uses so I could see people balking at the power increase.

[Ashtagon]

Are we talking maracas or baby rattles?

Baby rattles are percussion instruments. A proper cast iron maraca with some silver spikes on it is a heavy metal blunt force trauma instrument.

Waitwhat? While I don't doubt that a videogame somewhere has probably used the word maraca to call a weapon like what you've described, I'm not sure any historical or traditional weapon was ever called a maraca by those who would have used them in earnest.