One of The Six Stats, abbreviated as CHA.
This is the stat that determines someone's ability to influence others. Fairly vague in nature, this influence can take the form of anything from inspiring loyalty to intimidating others, and finds its natural home in checks involving interactions. While usually not explicitly supernatural, the stat can never-the-less even work on supernatural entities in some settings (to the point where it can function like the Polynesian concept of Mana
).
Physical attractiveness is a common side effect, although it can also be the main point of the stat, depending on the setting. Sometimes high-Charisma characters having greater presence also translates into resistance against attacks which destroy their sense of self or erase them from reality. The Magnetic Hero and The Heart are natural generators of Charisma, as is the well-written Magnificent Bastard - proof that the fourth wall is no protection against some charm effects. The Face usually has this as their highest stat.
Here's a guide for examples:
12-15: The character is adept at understanding and manipulating other people, though not outstandingly good.
16-19: The character is likely a leader or performer by profession. They have a talent for evoking emotion in others, through speeches, artistic works or possibly just idle taunts.
20-23: The character begins to become more influential than almost anyone has a right to be. A paragon of virtue or brutal dictator are both possible paths.
24+: It doesn't matter how good you are. This guy or gal has several hundred devoted followers to match you, possibly even an entire army or country. Negotiation, bribery, blackmail...none of these will have any effect when matched against raw zeal. It's not like you'll be able to resist for long, anyway.
Examples:
- In The Order of the Stick, resident Cloud Cuckoolander Elan nevertheless has at least 22 charisma. Big Bad main antagonist Xykon has at least a 28.
- In Pathfinder, Eldritch Abomination Cthulhu has 34 charisma.
- In Mind Games, due to a quirk of the System, one character has a 24 Charisma and another has 20 Charisma later raised to 25. People who meet them for the first time are often dazed and speechless for a moment.
- In one chapter of the Kanna's Daily Life spinoff of Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid, Elma is shown to have a charisma score of 9999. This is actually shown in-panel. Of course, her Alien Non-Interference Clause limits its use to getting food from her co-workers and trying to win a free meal at an all you can eat buffet.
JH: Max, I truly believe that you could stab me in the face, turn to the cop who saw it happen, smile, tell him we were rehearsing for a play, and he would believe you for at least six seconds.
- Ambience: A Fleet Symphony:
- Aoba: a standout example: she's got 12. Seeing that she likes to exude the reporter image, this is obviously very handy to her.
- A Kaiserin's Post-Living Arrangements: It's offhandedly mentioned that Tanya possesses the Charisma Skill at the highest level, which is later clarified to be A-rank.
- Big Brother 20 Winner And Runner Up: WOW! Does Tyler ever have this in very strong spades! Tyler is able to charm pretty much anyone that he talks to or looks at. he's got nearly the entire house charmed by him and wrapped around his finger because he's so charming and charismatic. One look or conversation with Tyler has the ability to make people like Tyler and feel at ease with him. He also specializes in the ability of emotional manipulation and uses compliments and nurturing with others to get what he wants. He utilizes his charisma and the ability to manipulate on Kaitlyn.
- The Charmer: Tyler is very charming and is flirtatious with the ladies. He easily gets attention from pretty much all the women in the house and Kaitlyn, Sam, Haleigh in particular are extremely enamoured by him.
