Increasing the value of Cha

[ulrichvonbek]

The thread on reducing the value of Con made me think of this idea.

Would it be too disruptive to balance to move some or all the effect Wis has on saving throws to Cha? It's probably more of a Luck stat than Cha at that point, but still, it gives the stat some reason for being other than prices at the stores.

[Starhawk]

I've been giving some thought to Charisma as well, especially since the hint has been dropped that at least one of the devs is looking to remove it from the game completely. I can think of a few potential uses for Cha.

Until the recent change to the efficacy HoldLife, I was thinking that Charisma might be useful to moderate the effects of life-draining. Charisma, after all, is the essence of your personality. It makes sense that it would help you retain your experience. But now that HLife does most of that on its own (I love the buff), that idea is kind of dead in the water. No more protection is needed IMHO.

Charisma is also the classical D&D stat for intimidation. One thing that I'd like to see Charisma influence is the chance to frighten a monster when you attack it. As your level and Charisma advance, you become more and more like the ancient, powerful demigods of the Silmarillion -- terrible and beautiful. And frightening.

Finally, going a couple D&D editions further back, Charisma is the stat of leadership and diplomacy. If the game ever were to introduce a non-hostile state for monsters (whether it be through player summonings, charms, or whatever) Charisma could govern various aspects of that as well. Wouldn't it be interesting if you could whip some of those drunks, mercenaries and ne'er-do-wells from the town into shape, and lead a small group into the dungeon? What if your high level and Charisma caused all those adventurers stranded in Angband to become non-hostile until you attacked, or even help you out a little? It might be an interesting strategy for a Bard, Enchanter, or Summoner class....

[Chud]

[...]

Finally, going a couple D&D editions further back, Charisma is the stat of leadership and diplomacy. If the game ever were to introduce a non-hostile state for monsters (whether it be through player summonings, charms, or whatever) Charisma could govern various aspects of that as well.

I think I like this the best. Increasing Charisma gives an increasing chance that non-evil creatures will be indifferent to you and leave you alone, even when awake and wandering around (unless of course you attack them), maybe.

[ulrichvonbek]

If that would keep Azriel from breathing on you, I'm all for it!

[Max Stats]

If that would keep Azriel from breathing on you, I'm all for it!

Although I suspect that uniques would be excluded from this effect.

[APWhite]

Charisma can be used in the calculation of successful charm/sleep/hold spells.

In the case of Z, it might be used as part of a savings throw against having pets turn on you when you damage them with spells

Of course, prices used to be impacted by charisma.

[Max Stats]

Don't forget Cha has great value as a stat to be randomly swapped with the one-up, one-down potions.

[Hariolor]

Although I suspect that uniques would be excluded from this effect.

Personally I would find neutral uniques (as well as their lesser kin) being non-aggressive to be entirely reasonable. Certainly you could choose to kill them for the XP/goodies, but you would not have to, if you had an adequately high stat. Seems reasonable to me.

[Antoine]

Of course, prices used to be impacted by charisma.

In Quickband, prices are affected quite strongly by charisma. It becomes worth investing in an Amulet of Charisma early on, and keeping it in your home for shopping trips. Artifacts boosting Cha can also be worth keeping.

One might even consider putting a few points into Cha at character creation time.

Not quite sure whether this is a good thing or not, it does become a little tedious to change into and out of your shopping gear. S'pose you don't have to do it if you don't want to.

A.