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The Six Abilities

Charisma

Charisma measures your ability to interact effectively with others. It includes confidence, eloquence, and leadership ability.

What Charisma Does​

Charisma affects your character's social capabilities and magical presence:

  • Spell Attack Bonus: Bards, Sorcerers, and Warlocks add their Charisma modifier to spell attack rolls.
  • Spell Save DC: Charisma-based spellcasters use Charisma to determine their spell save DC.
  • Social Interactions: Many social encounters rely on Charisma-based skills.
  • Leadership: Characters with high Charisma often become natural leaders.

Charisma Skills​

Three skills rely on Charisma:

  • Deception: Convincingly hiding the truth, either verbally or through actions
  • Intimidation: Influencing someone through overt threats, hostile actions, or physical violence
  • Persuasion: Influencing someone or a group of people with tact, social graces, or good nature

Charisma Checks​

A Charisma check might arise when you try to influence or entertain others, when you try to make an impression or tell a convincing lie, or when you are navigating a tricky social situation.

Common Uses​

  • Finding the best person to talk to for news, rumors, and gossip
  • Blending into a crowd to get a sense of key topics of conversation
  • Entertaining an audience with music, dance, or storytelling
  • Making yourself seem trustworthy when speaking with strangers

Example Difficulties​

DCDifficultyExample
10EasyInfluence a friendly NPC or make small talk
15MediumConvince someone to help you or tell a believable lie
20HardPersuade a hostile guard or intimidate a dangerous foe
25Very HardConvince someone to act against their nature or beliefs

Spellcasting and Charisma​

Several classes use Charisma for spellcasting:

  • Bards: Masters of song, speech, and magic they weave together
  • Sorcerers: Magic flows through them from within, powered by force of personality
  • Warlocks: Their magic comes from pacts with powerful beings, requiring strength of will
  • Paladins: Their divine magic is powered by the strength of their convictions

For these classes:

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