What does charisma 2 do?

[Isocheim]

What exactly does the second charisma skill ("smooth talk") do? It says "your persuasion attempts are more likely to succeed." Are there some speech checks I can't pass without it? Is it worth it? No spoilers please. Thanks.

[Gillsing]

There are some speech checks that I couldn't pass without it, despite save scumming for multiple attempts. I don't remember if it's worth it though. But what else would you use the skill points for? A fourth 'main' skill after you've already maxed three of them? Probably not very high among your priorities anyway, right? If you can punch people to death, why bother learning how to shoot properly, and vice versa?

[Dragon]

Originally posted by Gillsing:

If you can punch people to death, why bother learning how to shoot properly, and vice versa?

Because the ammo system in this game is horribly unbalanced against the player. Ammo costs a fortune, and in exchange for that fortune, you only get a tiny number of rounds that will run out very quickly.

So even if you specialize in guns, you might have to spend a lot of time using melee anyway.

They should have made clips way larger & cheaper, and made an augment for unlimited ammo.

[Wozyo]

Originally posted by Isocheim:

What exactly does the second charisma skill ("smooth talk") do? It says "your persuasion attempts are more likely to succeed." Are there some speech checks I can't pass without it? Is it worth it? No spoilers please. Thanks.

It's been a while since I played this, but if I recall correctly, there's a quest which you need Carisma II to get the "better ending" of such quest. It's also an achievement.

I used my skill points in Hacking, Melee, Health and Carisma. No points in Guns, at all, as I don't see it as necessary.