Looking for tips on roleplaying a low charisma

[Dannyalcatraz]

As others have pointed out, just figure out why the charisma is as low as it is and go with what fits best from there. Try and choose an aspect that will be recognizable but not too difficult to maintain throughout the game.

Agreed 100%.

Low Cha can mean a variety of things, like being:

1. Unattractive, offensive or unclean
2. Withdrawn and soft spoken, an introvert
3. Brash & boorish
4. So low key that one is easily ignored
5. Prone to blurt out inappropriate statements...and not realizing why they're being hushed
6. Perpetually depressed & morose

Essentially, "low Cha" could be anything that would make others ignore or avoid you in social situations.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

The DM even made it a point to have NPCs forget he was there (like guards announcing there were 4 of us instead of 5).

Awesome!

 

[Oryan77]

Think about the most socially awkward guy you can. The one who gets too close for your personal space comfort. Says things inappropriate for conversation/context of the interaction. Isn't aware of other people's reactions (such as continuing to talk after someone has sent signals they want to leave). Talks too loud, and has no internal editor. He likely also interrupt with non-topical questions.

Have we met before? I know I can be awkward but you didn't have to go telling everyone about it!

And ideas?

He could be the subtly annoying guy. The type that is more comic relief than actually annoying to the players. You know, the guy that only breaths through his nose and everyone constantly hears his nostrils wheezing/whistling.

Or he could be the guy that always complains about something, "How much further do we have to go? This trip is killing my feet and I got ripped off on these boots...it feels like I have a bunion or something!", "Hey guys, I think that guard is giving me a funny look. Boy, if I wasn't busy right now helping you guys out, I'd go over there right now and make that look be a permanent expression on his face.", "Uhg, why do you guys always drag me to these pricey taverns where I gotta spend my hard earned money. If we just stay outside the town we could setup a camp and not have to spend a copper!"

Or he could be the 'know it all' like the greatest TV show character Cliff Claven. Every chance he gets he tells a PC or NPC some bit of trivia even though he's wrong most of the time. "Ah, we have to go to the Underdark? You know, the High Elves used to refer to it as Underwhere. For the longest time, they were not sure where the Dark Elves fled to, and when word spread that they went under ground, a common response was, "Under where?" This happened so often that they just named the area Underwhere. This didn't last long though. The Humans thought the Elves were saying Underwear, and it made it more comical when an Elf would warn a Human that the Underwhere is very dangerous & deadly. So to keep the annoying Humans from making fun of them, the Elves quickly started calling the area the Underdark. It's true, you can look this up in any history book."

 

[The Shaman]

Don't.

He's convinced he's a natural leader. Roleplay him as if he has a Charisma of 18. Let failed skill checks and cruddy reaction rolls reflect his low Charisma instead.

Addendum: A Charisma of 7 isn't really all that low.

 

[MonkeyDragon]

One of my best characters ever was Ohg the half orc, who had a Cha of 6. Ohg was great. I decided to play him as a stereotypically dumb half orc. But really, Ohg's int was pretty decent. Smarter than the average peasant, as he was wont to say. Ohg wasn't stupid, ohg was inarticulate. He spoke in third person, was kind of socially timid and tended to ask foolish questions. Then, every once in awhile, he would bust out with something really deep and stun the whole table.

The first and best time he did this was towards the beginning of the campaign. The NPC had come to build a force bridge across the chasm to save us from the unstoppable army. Ohg looks at it and declares "Ohg have an innate distrust of incorporeal surfaces." The whole table stopped and STARED at me. The archer exclaimed "Woah, Ohg!" Hilarious!

Basically, I didn't want my low Cha to turn into a character that nobody liked. Ohg turned out to be extremely lovable.

In the upcoming campaign, Ohg makes his triumphant return.

 

[Pbartender]

I recall once a dwarf who was unassuming. He wasn't ugly, rude, or tactless, but (the player) only would announce actions and respond to direct inquiry ("What do you think?") so everyone tended to overlook him. The DM even made it a point to have NPCs forget he was there (like guards announcing there were 4 of us instead of 5). That made all the more fun when he'd do something AMAZING (psion) out of the blue that would save our skins.

That's exactly what I was thinking of.

Which reminds me... I've always wanted to see a feat (or power or class ability or whatever) called "Utterly Forgettable", which would grant a bonus to your Stealth skill equal to your Charisma penalty.

One of my best characters ever was Ohg the half orc, who had a Cha of 6. Ohg was great. I decided to play him as a stereotypically dumb half orc. But really, Ohg's int was pretty decent. Smarter than the average peasant, as he was wont to say. Ohg wasn't stupid, ohg was inarticulate. He spoke in third person, was kind of socially timid and tended to ask foolish questions. Then, every once in awhile, he would bust out with something really deep and stun the whole table... ...Ohg looks at it and declares "Ohg have an innate distrust of incorporeal surfaces." The whole table stopped and STARED at me. The archer exclaimed "Woah, Ohg!" Hilarious!

Now I want to play a character with a personalty based off of Bill & Ted.

 

[Herremann the Wise]

As has been covered, their are a ton of ways to play a low charisma character. However, can you also add the character's intelligence and wisdom, class and any possible traits you have chosen? Are there any relevant campaign details that you know of. This might help in deciding which of the wonderful suggestions so far you might take him.

I DM a charisma 4 character in one of my games. Half his face and chest were burnt by acid leaving a fascinatingly ugly exterior. He wear's the full black satin mask of an Outlawed Cult of Wee Jas to hide his features which also means that no one can read his face or determine the correct communicative intonation of his muffled voice. The association with this cult is also unfortunate and colours many social interactions. It is quite obvious through the mask's eyehole that his features are severely disfigured.

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

 

[Kzach]

Of course, another avenue is to simply go to any geek convention and look around. Throw a stick and hit a dozen examples of low Charisma

 

[Garmorn]

Then there is the classic absent minded professor type that while smart or not annoying is just forgettable.

 

[roguerouge]

I always have Charisma also include luck. So, I'd recommend playing a normal character to whom everything always turns out badly.