How the hell can all you guys say that putting more than 1 point in Charisma is a waste? There are a ton of speech and barter skill checks during dialogue in this game, and I'm certainly glad I opted for a character build that can at least pass the common Speech 50/60 checks, plus Barter 35.
1 vs 5 points in Charisma means an 8 skill points difference in Speech and Barter.

I haven't been doing any calculation on optimal builds though, so perhaps a different balance of SPECIAL and skill points can give you high Speech and Barter skills without having to skimp on other useful skills?

Of course there are certainly other ways of playing the game, doing quests and building your character than passing dialogue skill checks, but reading this thread it sounds to me like you some of you are saying that Charisma is flat out a waste of points regardless of build?

9
1
9
7
8
5
1

Since I didn't need perception at all (melee character), I just used it and luck as dump stats. When I got the implants, my character was basically unstoppable. Except by deathclaws. They are HARD to kill with a rebar club.

Im running my sneak/sniper...

S-4

P-7

E-6

C-6

I-6

A-9

L-5

But he's not not quite done yet...

(edit) Should have put more in "I" and less in "E" but whetever...I hadn't played FO for a while

actually thats a good thing. i dont want them taking all the kills. theyre mostly there to keep me company and hold stuff, not for fighting.

"How the hell can all you guys say that putting more than 1 point in Charisma is a waste? There are a ton of speech and barter skill checks during dialogue in this game"

i had my speech to 100 by level 10 or so with CH at 1. barter at maybe 20, i didnt care for it much because where theres a barter check, theres usually a speech check you can do instead.

SPECIAL to raise 1 Skills is a waste of a SPECIAL point really given that you get 10+int per level and can use this raise the skill in question, out side of Speech and Barter Charisma only improves the companions nerve rating what ever that does (havnt seen any change myself) = it the worse of the worse.
All the other SPECIALs give a useful bonus where +1 to them has an effect that is noticeable in game play.

My build is more of a hybrid of both Sneak and Strength

Str 5 (+1)
Per 5 (+1)
End 5 (+1)
Char 1
Int 9 (+1)
Agil 6
Luck 9

Charisma is a crap stat if you don't use companions. If you use companions, you'd be silly to NOT want them to do extra damage and have extra DT (I think?), especially on hardcoe.

read my last post.

but on hardcoe yes. wouldnt want them getting killed now.

this. it is very over powered and i've tried most weapons/builds.

Simply put: You don't need high Charisma to have high Speech/Barter.