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Message: <blockquote data-quote="BSF" data-source="post: 1066992" data-attributes="member: 13098">First off:  CHA dump statting.  I use point-buy for my players.  It is not unusual for one stat to be extraordinarily low.  That's fine!  I let my players know that a disadvantage is _always_ a disadvantage.  If my players want to take a low CHA, choose to not purchase any social skills and want to have an immensely social character, it will _always_ be viewed in the worst possible context by the NPC's.  I don't want to discourage RolePlaying, but I think it is unfair to penalize the player that built a social skill character by rewarding the CHA dump with the same interaction.  But, my experience is that good Role-Players like to round out the character and stay true to the character.  A good Role-Player might even build a CHA dump character, avoid the social skills, and play somebody that really isn't that likeable.  Even though the Player is somebody that could also play a high CHA, strong social skilled character.  So, for me, it isn't that big an issue.Role-Playing Social Skills:  For the character that has good social skills, but the player doesn't, I wing it.  If the player tries to RP the situation, I encourage them so they continue to RP.  Then, I let a die roll carry the rest of the weight.  We are in this to have fun and if they keep pumping up social skills because they like the character, I will let their skills take over when the player falters.  Let's face it, not everyone is a social butterfly, well-liked by everyone.  But, that doesn't mean they don't wish they were!  This is a fantasy game.  If everyone is having fun, great!Roll-playing social skills:  OK, it happens.  Sometimes the player wants to just boil it down to a die roll.  That can be frustrating at times.  I try to encourage the player to Role-Play it, but sometimes the player is stubborn.  So, roll it and let it ride as an opposed check.  Sometimes, the player will encounter somebody that is highly skilled as well and the NPC "wins" the check.  Often, the player will feel frustrated and we will have a discussion after the game.  What that will boil down to is pretty simple.  "If you had role-played out the scenario, I probably would have given you bonuses to your die roll.  As it was, you were just outdone by the NPC.  Better luck next time."  Generally, that will encourage them to use their brain a little more than their die rolls.Now, there are times when an arbitrary die roll works just fine.  "You want to negotiate a lower cost on all those rations you are buying?  Sure, you are likeable and have strong negotiating skills.  Tell you what, roll a diplomacy check and I will tell you what kind of discount you get."  Especially when dealing with non-recurring NPC's.Exceptions to skills:  I generally rule that skills do not affect other characters.  I do not _like_ having one player's character usurped by another.  If you want to cast a Charm spell on the person, fine.  They get a save and they are perfectly free to attack you if they save.  But, I will also step in and point out that a specific character is skilled in certain areas and if one character is going to disagree, I want to know what the justification is.  I mean, if you have created a very lawful character that has a history or respecting authority, etc.  and that character is suddenly a troublemaker in the party, they are not being true to the character.  It might be the beginning's of an alignment switch...I also run a few of the NPC's with the same rules as the PC's.  No matter how good your diplomacy, you cannot just role the die to convince the King to bend to your will.  You will have to Role-Play that with me!  The diplomacy skills you have cultivated will certainly get you up through the bureacracy to see the King, but you will need to RP the encounter once you get there.</blockquote>

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