Explain the Charisma stat to me as if I'm a 5-year-old (K1/K2)

[Untold Prophecy 31]

I've been reading Reddit posts, Gamefaq posts, and others over the last few days trying to get a good idea of what exactly the Charisma stat does in both K1 and K2. 

I know it modifies your persuasion rolls, increases companions' combat performance, increases force point pool in K1, and reduces the cost of alignment opposite force powers in K2. But how does it affect force power potency? How is that different from the Force power susceptibility that Wisdom increases? Does Charisma even matter in Kotor 2 since your main character becomes so overpowered by level 25? 

Someone posted a very good video on YouTube a few years ago breaking down the Strength vs Dexterity lightsaber bonus in K1 using the combat log, so I'm hopeful someone can provide an explanation similar to that. 

Thanks guys! 

[JCarter426 1,242]

K1

• Speaker's Charisma modifier is added to Persuade skill checks
• Jedi's Charisma modifier is added to the amount of Force Points gained each level (minimum 1 per level)
• Caster's Charisma modifier is added to the Difficulty Class of all Force powers which involve a saving throw
• Caster's Charisma modifier is added to the amount of Vitality Points healed with the Cure and Heal Force powers

K2

• Speaker's Charisma modifier is added to Persuade skill checks
• Caster's Charisma modifier is added to the Difficulty Class of all Force powers which involve a saving throw
• Caster's Charisma modifier is added to the amount of Vitality Points healed with the Heal Force powers
• Caster's Charisma bonus reduces the cost of Force powers
• Party leader's Charisma modifier is added to attack rolls made by other party members
• Player's Charisma modifier affects alignment shifts of party members (except Kreia).

17 hours ago, Untold Prophecy said:

modifies your persuasion rolls

Not really. Persuade rolls are not typical d20 skill rolls in K1 (StrategyWiki has a good explanation) and there are no Persuade rolls in K2.

17 hours ago, Untold Prophecy said:

increases companions' combat performance

This is only in K2.

17 hours ago, Untold Prophecy said:

how does it affect force power potency? How is that different from the Force power susceptibility that Wisdom increases?

All Force powers which involve a saving throw add the caster's Wisdom and Charisma modifiers to the Difficulty Class. This is mentioned in the description of each Force power. For example, in Whirlwind's description:

Quote

This power encircles the target victim in a small maelstrom of air and dust, inflicting one third of the attacking character's level in damage every 2 seconds, and rendering them unable to take any action (12 seconds total). A successful Reflex save at a DC of 5 + the attacking character's level + the attacking character's Wisdom and Charisma modifiers negates the damage and the immobilizing effects altogether. This power does not affect droids equipped with energy shield hardware.

 

[Untold Prophecy 31]

10 hours ago, JCarter426 said:

K1

• Speaker's Charisma modifier is added to Persuade skill checks
• Jedi's Charisma modifier is added to the amount of Force Points gained each level (minimum 1 per level)
• Caster's Charisma modifier is added to the Difficulty Class of all Force powers which involve a saving throw
• Caster's Charisma modifier is added to the amount of Vitality Points healed with the Cure and Heal Force powers

K2

• Speaker's Charisma modifier is added to Persuade skill checks
• Caster's Charisma modifier is added to the Difficulty Class of all Force powers which involve a saving throw
• Caster's Charisma modifier is added to the amount of Vitality Points healed with the Heal Force powers
• Caster's Charisma bonus reduces the cost of Force powers
• Party leader's Charisma modifier is added to attack rolls made by other party members
• Player's Charisma modifier affects alignment shifts of party members (except Kreia).

Not really. Persuade rolls are not typical d20 skill rolls in K1 (StrategyWiki) has a good explanation) and there are no Persuade rolls in K2.

This is only in K2.

All Force powers which involve a saving throw add the caster's Wisdom and Charisma modifiers to the Difficulty Class. This is mentioned in the description of each Force power. For example, in Whirlwind's description:

 

Thank you so much!