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Are there any mods that make Charisma useful?

Title basically. Charisma feels very underpowered in this game. I was wondering if there were any mods that make having a high Charisma score actually make a difference (other than getting a +1 dagger in Candlekeep and some poison potions at the Friendly Arms Inn)

Comments

  • atcDaveatcDave Member Posts: 2,643
    It is a shame there aren’t more dialogue choices that vary with Charisma. Although it does affect prices in stores, remember to have your most charismatic character initiate business discussions.
    But sadly, like Intelligence and Wisdom, for *most* characters Charisma is purely a role playing effect. I do enjoy knowing my characters in their entirety, and imagining how they perceive and interact with the world and adventure.

    But I know of no mod that enhances the impact of Charisma.
  • morpheus562morpheus562 Member Posts: 568
    A lot of my mods will boost characters and abilities based on charisma.
  • wildernesswoodelfwildernesswoodelf Member Posts: 33
    A lot of my mods will boost characters and abilities based on charisma.

    Such as?
  • FredNFredN Member Posts: 541
    While charisma isn't that valuable, except for the effect on merchant prices, for a Bard, a high charisma is extremely useful.
  • wildernesswoodelfwildernesswoodelf Member Posts: 33
    FredN wrote: »
    While charisma isn't that valuable, except for the effect on merchant prices, for a Bard, a high charisma is extremely useful.

    Why is that?
  • gorgonzolagorgonzola Member Posts: 3,875
    FredN wrote: »
    While charisma isn't that valuable, except for the effect on merchant prices, for a Bard, a high charisma is extremely useful.

    Why is that?

    If I am not wrong it is useful in the stronghold quest.
  • FredNFredN Member Posts: 541
    edited July 21
    It also helps with certain spells, and bardsong effects. Oh and I also have the Playhouse as my Stronghold.
    Post edited by FredN on
  • wildernesswoodelfwildernesswoodelf Member Posts: 33
    FredN wrote: »
    It also helps with certain spells, and bardsong effects. Oh and I also have the Playhiuse as my Stronghold.

    Really? I had no idea it did that. Do you know which spells it helps with?
  • FredNFredN Member Posts: 541
    From Wiki:

    In Baldur's Gate 2, a high Charisma score provides several benefits to a bard, primarily affecting their spellcasting, social interactions, and item prices. It directly impacts the effectiveness of their bard spells, enhances their ability to influence others through dialogue and performance, and reduces the cost of items in shops.
    Here's a more detailed breakdown:
    Spellcasting:
    Increased Spell Save DC:
    .
    Bards use Charisma as their spellcasting ability modifier. A higher Charisma score means a higher spell save DC, making it harder for enemies to resist their spells that require saving throws.
    Enhanced Spell Attack Rolls:
    .
    Similarly, spells that require attack rolls (like ranged touch spells) will have a higher chance of hitting with a higher Charisma score.
    Social Interactions:
    Persuasion and Deception:
    Charisma is the primary ability score for persuasion and deception checks, allowing bards to influence NPCs through dialogue, potentially leading to better quest rewards, discounts, or even avoiding combat.
    Intimidation:
    Bards can use intimidation to influence NPCs, potentially getting them to comply with requests or avoid conflict.
    Shop Discounts:
    A high Charisma score can lead to lower prices in shops, making it easier to acquire items.
    Improved Reactions:
    NPCs are more likely to have positive reactions to a charismatic bard, which can affect various interactions.
    Other Benefits:
    Bard Song Bonuses:
    While the impact might be indirect, a higher Charisma score could potentially influence the effectiveness or duration of certain bard songs that provide bonuses to party members.
    Improved Quest Rewards:
    In some instances, a high Charisma score can lead to better quest rewards or outcomes, especially in situations where persuasion or social skills are involved.
    Overall, a high Charisma score is crucial for a bard, allowing them to be more effective spellcasters, social manipulators, and even bargain hunters.

  • wildernesswoodelfwildernesswoodelf Member Posts: 33
    FredN wrote: »
    From Wiki:

    In Baldur's Gate 2, a high Charisma score provides several benefits to a bard, primarily affecting their spellcasting, social interactions, and item prices. It directly impacts the effectiveness of their bard spells, enhances their ability to influence others through dialogue and performance, and reduces the cost of items in shops.
    Here's a more detailed breakdown:
    Spellcasting:
    Increased Spell Save DC:
    .
    Bards use Charisma as their spellcasting ability modifier. A higher Charisma score means a higher spell save DC, making it harder for enemies to resist their spells that require saving throws.
    Enhanced Spell Attack Rolls:
    .
    Similarly, spells that require attack rolls (like ranged touch spells) will have a higher chance of hitting with a higher Charisma score.
    Social Interactions:
    Persuasion and Deception:
    Charisma is the primary ability score for persuasion and deception checks, allowing bards to influence NPCs through dialogue, potentially leading to better quest rewards, discounts, or even avoiding combat.
    Intimidation:
    Bards can use intimidation to influence NPCs, potentially getting them to comply with requests or avoid conflict.
    Shop Discounts:
    A high Charisma score can lead to lower prices in shops, making it easier to acquire items.
    Improved Reactions:
    NPCs are more likely to have positive reactions to a charismatic bard, which can affect various interactions.
    Other Benefits:
    Bard Song Bonuses:
    While the impact might be indirect, a higher Charisma score could potentially influence the effectiveness or duration of certain bard songs that provide bonuses to party members.
    Improved Quest Rewards:
    In some instances, a high Charisma score can lead to better quest rewards or outcomes, especially in situations where persuasion or social skills are involved.
    Overall, a high Charisma score is crucial for a bard, allowing them to be more effective spellcasters, social manipulators, and even bargain hunters.
    FredN wrote: »
    From Wiki:

    In Baldur's Gate 2, a high Charisma score provides several benefits to a bard, primarily affecting their spellcasting, social interactions, and item prices. It directly impacts the effectiveness of their bard spells, enhances their ability to influence others through dialogue and performance, and reduces the cost of items in shops.
    Here's a more detailed breakdown:
    Spellcasting:
    Increased Spell Save DC:
    .
    Bards use Charisma as their spellcasting ability modifier. A higher Charisma score means a higher spell save DC, making it harder for enemies to resist their spells that require saving throws.
    Enhanced Spell Attack Rolls:
    .
    Similarly, spells that require attack rolls (like ranged touch spells) will have a higher chance of hitting with a higher Charisma score.
    Social Interactions:
    Persuasion and Deception:
    Charisma is the primary ability score for persuasion and deception checks, allowing bards to influence NPCs through dialogue, potentially leading to better quest rewards, discounts, or even avoiding combat.
    Intimidation:
    Bards can use intimidation to influence NPCs, potentially getting them to comply with requests or avoid conflict.
    Shop Discounts:
    A high Charisma score can lead to lower prices in shops, making it easier to acquire items.
    Improved Reactions:
    NPCs are more likely to have positive reactions to a charismatic bard, which can affect various interactions.
    Other Benefits:
    Bard Song Bonuses:
    While the impact might be indirect, a higher Charisma score could potentially influence the effectiveness or duration of certain bard songs that provide bonuses to party members.
    Improved Quest Rewards:
    In some instances, a high Charisma score can lead to better quest rewards or outcomes, especially in situations where persuasion or social skills are involved.
    Overall, a high Charisma score is crucial for a bard, allowing them to be more effective spellcasters, social manipulators, and even bargain hunters.

    Do you know which Wiki this is? I couldn't find any info like that on Fandom (which is what I tend to use)
    Thanks!
  • FredNFredN Member Posts: 541
    edited July 22
    OK, Fandom is decent and I use it myself, but there are details it doesn't explore fully. The data I posted came from me doing a Google search. What I typed was this:
    "in baldur's gate 2 what benefits does a bard get from high charisma"
    The result was what I posted. Note that when using Google the results are AI generated. You may need to type a question several times using different wordings in order to get the best results. For example, if in the above inquiry you just ask about Bards in Baldur's Gate, you may end up with data about BG3, which is a totally seperate game. The answers will have no relevance whatsoever to BG2.
    As a practical example, if you are doing Dorn's quest in ToB, a high charisma will let you talk your way past the two SIlver Dragons who will attempt to bar your escape after you alter the Scroll of Retribution. Also note that for an NPC interaction to be influenced by charisma, the high charisma character must be leading the group; i.e. at the top of the party roster.
    Post edited by FredN on
  • jmerryjmerry Member Posts: 4,112
    edited July 22
    Misinformation. Out of that big list of stuff, what's actually in the game?
    - "Increased Spell Save DC:". No. Different edition of D&D. There are no DCs in 2nd edition, and the only ways to make saves against your spells systematically tougher are to cast debuffs on the enemy or to be a specialist mage.
    - "Enhanced Spell Attack Rolls". No. Different edition of D&D. There are no spell attack rolls in 2nd edition.
    - "Persuasion and Deception", "Intimidation". No. There are no social skill rolls in 2nd edition.
    - "Shop Discounts". Yes. That is actually a mechanic in the Baldur's Gate series. You get a 5% discount for each point of charisma above 15, capped at 25% for charisma 20. The top character in the party order is the one that counts, so you really only care about one high-charisma character in the party.
    - "Improved Reactions". Yes. There is a "reaction score" mechanic in many conversations, based on both charisma (for the party member talking) and reputation. In most cases this is used, a high "friendly" reaction is best. 18 charisma and a neutral reputation of 10 will get you to friendly, and so will 14 charisma and a paragon reputation of 20. Some other conversations care about charisma directly, though this is less common.
    - "Bard Song Bonuses". No. Bard songs do not depend on the bard's stats in any way. Some bard songs upgrade as you level up, and there's an item in SoD to extend their duration so the bard can more easily do stuff other than singing, but that's it.
    - "Improved Quest Rewards". Sort of; this is just another angle on the "reaction score" mechanic. A lot of the conversations that care about reaction score are with quest givers, and influence what rewards you get.

    Two out of seven. Once again, "AI" demonstrates that it can't tell the difference between a fact and a hole in the ground.

    [Edit - corrected a detail]
    Post edited by jmerry on
  • FredNFredN Member Posts: 541
    Huh. Well that is disconcerting, I was relying on the Google information to be applicable to my Bard. Bummer.
  • jmerryjmerry Member Posts: 4,112
    The actual general advice for charisma in this game is that you want one character with high charisma to act as the party "face". And a class with a minimum charisma requirement like a bard or a paladin is the best option there.

    Or, in BG2, you can pick up the ring that sets CHA to 18 (circus tent quest) and the cloak that adds +2 charisma (Gorch's shop) for 20 CHA on the party face and a maxed-out shop discount. Easily doable on your first day after the starter dungeon.
  • FredNFredN Member Posts: 541
    edited July 22
    OK, so my bard is currently in ToB and has enough experience to have accrued some HLAs, including Enhanced Bard song and Magic Flute. Does charisma influence the improved Bard Song's effects on the party, or is it irrelevant?
  • jmerryjmerry Member Posts: 4,112
    Irrelevant.
  • TrouveurTrouveur Member Posts: 904
    Charisma actually is useful in BG1 for reaction checks, notably NPC ones.
    In SoD I m
    FredN wrote: »
    Huh. Well that is disconcerting, I was relying on the Google information to be applicable to my Bard. Bummer.
    It's not"google information", it's AI bullshit.
    A google search is reading the actual links offered, not the AI poor answer.
    I already advised you to rely on the true wiki or Gamebanshee. An actual source is better than anything AI will answer.
  • atcDaveatcDave Member Posts: 2,643
    Thank you jmerry! I was looking through that list and almost all of it was wrong edition or not implemented in IE. AI is useful for many things, but where *facts* are concerned it is pretty stupid.
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