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Message: <blockquote data-quote="James Gasik" data-source="post: 9175434" data-attributes="member: 6877472">My experience with Charisma in AD&D is different, which is why I mentioned it depended on the campaign.  By the rules, absolutely you are correct.  However, I'm not entirely sure if any of my AD&D DM's used the rules for NPC reactions at all.I will say that once you bring Unearthed Arcana into the mix, high Charisma's value changes a bit- high Charisma raises Comeliness, and, if used, evil creatures react negatively to positive Comeliness, which could throw a spanner in the "avoid combat" scenario by lowering your total reaction adjustment.As for the Cavalier Paladin, that's a bit more fair, but there's a lot of extra things going on with the subclass Paladin like being able to raise your attributes at level up, sterner RP requirements, and sub-levels (maybe?  I'm fuzzy about how that worked), but in general, that's a little more fair.  (Then again, if UA is in play, the alternate ability score generation might also be in play, which skews high for everyone).I stand by my point however, that having the stat requirements for the subclasses doesn't necessarily make your character much more powerful since the bonuses gained for stats are so low in AD&D.  Let's look at the Ranger- Str 13, Int 13, 14 Wis, 14 Con.  Not a numerical bonus in sight beyond (maybe, still not sure about this) 2 bonus Druid spells at 9th level.  I'm not completely discounting System Shock for a good Con- that's always great to have, but this isn't exactly a super character!Your comment about ceilings and floors for stat distribution doesn't hold water; for all we know, the qualifying stats are the high points, and everything else is below 9!  I don't feel that great as a Ranger with 7 Dexterity!Given that the PHB states on page 9 that "it is usually essential to the character's survival to be exceptional (with a rating of 15 or above) in no fewer than two ability characteristics", and that Method I for generating ability scores is 4d6 drop 1 in the DMG, I don't think qualifying for most classes was all that difficult, nor that characters who couldn't qualify for a "elite class" were automatically inferior in power.  I could be unable to qualify to be a Paladin and still have a pair of 18's elsewhere!</blockquote>

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