Charisma (CHA) measures force of personality, persuasiveness, and the
ability to lead. It is the casting ability for Sorcerers, Bards, Oracles, and Paladins,
and it powers the most socially potent skills in the game. CHA also governs channel energy
and — uniquely — the ability to command undead. Outside of face roles and CHA-based
spellcasters, it is the most safely dumpable stat for most builds.
What Charisma Affects
| Stat / Check |
How CHA applies |
| Charisma-based spellcasting |
CHA is the casting ability for Sorcerer, Bard, Oracle, Paladin, Summoner, and
Witch — governs spell save DCs and bonus spell slots |
| Channel energy |
CHA modifier added to the DC of channel energy (10 + ½ cleric level + CHA modifier);
some archetypes also use CHA to determine the number of channel uses per day |
| Command undead |
CHA modifier used for the DC when commanding or rebuking undead (10 + ½ HD + CHA modifier) |
| Bluff |
CHA is the key ability |
| Diplomacy |
CHA is the key ability |
| Disguise |
CHA is the key ability |
| Handle Animal |
CHA is the key ability |
| Intimidate |
CHA is the key ability |
| Perform (all) |
CHA is the key ability for all Perform skills |
| Use Magic Device |
CHA is the key ability |
CHA-Based Spellcasting
| Spell save DC |
10 + spell level + CHA modifier |
| Bonus spell slots |
See the bonus spells table on the
Ability Scores hub
|
| Minimum to cast |
CHA must be at least 10 + spell level to cast that spell level |
| Classes using CHA |
Sorcerer, Bard, Oracle, Paladin, Summoner, Witch; also Antipaladin and
several ACG classes (Skald, Shaman, Bloodrager) |
| Spontaneous vs prepared |
Sorcerers and Bards cast spontaneously (no daily preparation); Oracles are also
spontaneous; Witches prepare spells in a familiar |
Channel Energy
Clerics and some other classes channel positive or negative energy in a 30-foot burst.
CHA directly sets the save DC and — in most interpretations — the number of daily uses.
| Save DC |
10 + ½ cleric level + CHA modifier (Will save to halve damage or negate healing) |
| Uses per day |
3 + CHA modifier (minimum 1); some archetypes modify this formula |
| Effect |
Positive energy: heals living, harms undead. Negative energy: harms living, heals
undead. Damage / healing = (cleric level ÷ 2)d6, rounded up. |
Commanding Undead
Evil Clerics (and those with the Command Undead feat) can attempt to bring undead under their
control rather than destroying them. CHA sets the DC that undead must fail to become
commanded, and limits how many HD of undead can be controlled at once.
| Command DC |
Will save DC = 10 + ½ cleric level + CHA modifier |
| HD limit |
Total HD of controlled undead cannot exceed 3 × cleric level; undead beyond this
limit are turned instead |
| Duration |
Commanded undead remain under control indefinitely until the cleric loses control
or releases them; they do not require re-commanding each day |