themightyjello
Within the rules though, there aren't many uses for talking skill checks or charisma checks in a combat situation, and it would have been nice to see some type of 'combat distraction' thing in there alongside the strength-based grapple, strength-based trip, strength-based bull-rush, strength-based overrun, attack-based disarm, etc.
Well, there's the Goad Feat in Complete Adventurer:
Feat Description
GOAD
-You are skilled at inducing opponents to attack you.
---Prerequisites: Cha 13, BAB +1.
---Benifits: As a move action, you can goad an opponent that threatens you, has line of sight of you, can hear you, and has an Intelligence of 3 or higher. (The goad is a mind affecting ability.) When the goaded creature starts its next turn, if it threatens you and has line of sight of you, it must make a Will saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 your character level + your Cha modifier). If the opponent fails its save, you are the only creature it can make melee attacks against during this turn. (If it kills you, knocks you unconscious, loses sight of you, or otherwise is unable to make melee attacks against you, it may make any remaining melee attacks against other foes as normal.) A goaded creature can still cast spells, make ranged attacks, move, or perform other actions normally. The use of this feat restricts only melee attacks.
---Special: A fighter may select goad as one of his fighter bonus feats.
-You are skilled at inducing opponents to attack you.
---Prerequisites: Cha 13, BAB +1.
---Benifits: As a move action, you can goad an opponent that threatens you, has line of sight of you, can hear you, and has an Intelligence of 3 or higher. (The goad is a mind affecting ability.) When the goaded creature starts its next turn, if it threatens you and has line of sight of you, it must make a Will saving throw (DC 10 + 1/2 your character level + your Cha modifier). If the opponent fails its save, you are the only creature it can make melee attacks against during this turn. (If it kills you, knocks you unconscious, loses sight of you, or otherwise is unable to make melee attacks against you, it may make any remaining melee attacks against other foes as normal.) A goaded creature can still cast spells, make ranged attacks, move, or perform other actions normally. The use of this feat restricts only melee attacks.
---Special: A fighter may select goad as one of his fighter bonus feats.
Admittedly it's got limited use, but it is talk-oriented and Charisma based. Also, Paladin Abilities like Smite Evil and Lay on Hands get bonuses from Charisma, though those aren't talking oriented (unless you've got a particularly chatty Pally that gives sermons while smiting evil and reciting liturgies when laying hands... Hmm, that gives me a character idea!
Ladies and gentlemen, I give Sir Lawrence the Loquacious, Halfling Paladin of Yondalla! Talking the ears off of evil since 2009 xd )
