Charisma Charisma is one of the seven primary statistic s in the SPECIAL character system . " Fallout " , " Fallout 2 " and " Fallout Tactics " . In " Fallout 2 " , Charisma also determines the number of base companion slots the player character is given . This number is equal to their Charisma score divided by two , rounded down . As an example , with a Charisma at five , two can be recruited . Please note that one companion can still be recruited ( in a few cases ) even with the lowest Charisma score . Predesigned Primary Charisma - based Characters ( PPCC ) of " Fallout " are Albert , and in " Fallout 2 " s case , Chitsa . In " " , Charisma is , at best , a secondary trait . Due to the nature of the game ( i . e . almost exclusively combat - based ) it is feasible to complete the game easily with 1 or 2 Charisma with no penalty . The only role is that when the Warrior starts with Charisma of 10 , their rank is Senior Initiate , rather than Initiate . It is involved with the Barter skill and promotions , and is required for the Leader and Divine Favor perks . A low Charisma , on the other hand , gives access to the Loner perk . " Fallout 3 " . Modifies : Speech and Barter skills , NPC Disposition Charisma increases the disposition of all NPCs , which makes Speech checks easier . Disposition is also affected somewhat by Karma ( most NPCs like good characters more ) , quests ( doing a quest in a way an NPC likes can dramatically boost disposition ) , and dialog options ( being a jerk in conversations can lower disposition a little ) . Charisma also affects the Barter and Speech skills . Characters who use Speech will want at least a decent Charisma , but adding points to the skill is almost always better than adding points to the score . Characters who do not use the Speech skill have little use for this SPECIAL score . There are also general Charisma checks in dialogue with some characters , in addition to Speech checks . Avoid wearing things like Enclave Power Helmets , as they deduct 1 point of Charisma while equipped . " Fallout : New Vegas " . Charisma in " New Vegas " modifies Barter , Speech and Companion Nerve . Companion Nerve gives each companion in the party + 5 % to their damage and armor , up to a maximum of + 50 % at 10 Charisma . Regardless of Barter or Speech level , some interactions will not be available with a too low Charisma ( Ex . Corporal Betsy ) . These ultimately do not have any significant effect on game play , nor do they provide any special bonuses . " Fallout 4 " . Charisma influences several game mechanics . It directly controls your ability to charm and convince others , replacing the Speech skill in governing your chance of successfully persuading in dialogues . It also replaces the Barter skills from previous games by governing the prices you get from trading with merchants . In " Fallout 4 " , Charisma also governs access to the following perks : Effect on a Settlement . Charisma affects the maximum amount of settlers allowed at a settlement : Effect on a Speech . Charisma affects the chance of passing a speech check : Additionally , each rank of Lady Killer or Black Widow adds 10 % chance to passing speech checks . The final result of the Chance to Succeed formula is limited to a minimum of 5 % and maximum of 100 % , so there is always a slight chance of success . You have a 100 % chance of success to pass a Red check with a Charisma value of 11 , this includes all clothing , armor , and drug effects . Effect on Barter . Charisma affects item buy / sell values ; the value of an item for buying or selling is its innate value multiplied by either the buying price modifier or the selling price modifier : Multiply the modifier from Charisma and all applicable modifiers above to get the ( near ) final modifier . If you get a final buying modifier that is less than 1 . 2 , the game will use 1 . 2 . If you get a final selling modifier that is greater than 0 . 8 , the game will use 0 . 8 . Note : The minimum purchase price is 120 % of the item ' s value , and the maximum selling price is 80 % of the item ' s value . It appears that this applies even after you get a discount from a vendor . To get the best prices : Other price factors are below . These factors are multiplicative and not additive , for instance , rank 2 cap collector gives a 1 . 32 selling modifier . Friend Discount is when you get better prices from a vendor for completing a quest . For example , returning the locket to Connie Abernathy ' s husband unlocks a Friend Discount with Connie . Other vendors may have the same or other discounts . Maximizing Charisma . Combined with all base game items a maximum Charisma of 32 can be reached , while with all add - ons included 48 is the maximum . Base game . Base charisma of 12 can be achieved : Items . Several items grant bonuses while equipped for maximum of + 8 increase to Charisma : The Summer shorts + 2 fills outfit and chest armor slot that can be used instead of Green shirt and combat boots and the Sharp chest piece to preserve weight . Consumables . Several consumable s increase charisma temporally up to + 12 . Far Harbor . " Far Harbor " provides better substitutions : Vault - Tec Workshop . " Vault - Tec Workshop " : the barber chair provides a semi - permanent boost of + 1 Charisma that is lost when choosing to use one of the other statistic boosting workshop items . Nuka - World . " Nuka - World " provides the following :