How does Charm Person work?

[Road_Runner]

So, I have this obnoxious Psion in my group who likes to cast Charm Person on me... (for teh lulz ofc)

I find this really annoying and it seems to work more or less like a dominate person spell.

I was wondering what are the limits of charm person? (the rules are really vague) Is the person aware they are charmed? I happen to be a warblade... can I use my Iron Heart Surge to remove it or am I unaware I'm being charmed?

 

[Dandu]

This charm makes a humanoid creature regard you as its trusted friend and ally (treat the target’s attitude as friendly). If the creature is currently being threatened or attacked by you or your allies, however, it receives a +5 bonus on its saving throw.
The spell does not enable you to control the charmed person as if it were an automaton, but it perceives your words and actions in the most favorable way. You can try to give the subject orders, but you must win an opposed Charisma check to convince it to do anything it wouldn’t ordinarily do. (Retries are not allowed.) An affected creature never obeys suicidal or obviously harmful orders, but it might be convinced that something very dangerous is worth doing. Any act by you or your apparent allies that threatens the charmed person breaks the spell. You must speak the person’s language to communicate your commands, or else be good at pantomiming.

What do you think?

 

[HoboGod]

I tend to take this spell as something that is meaningless when cast upon your friends and allies unless your friends and allies aren't on good terms. After all, how would it be any different from not casting it at all if the effects are to make the target trust you as a friend or ally when they ARE your friend and ally. The charisma check is just fluff for what it takes to make somebody that doesn't know anything about you feel comfortable enough to take your command without any background on your motives.

 

[Road_Runner]

What do you think?

Yeah, I read that paragraph before I posted. It doesn't say anything about losing awareness of the spell...

I tend to take this spell as something that is meaningless when cast upon your friends and allies unless your friends and allies aren't on good terms. After all, how would it be any different from not casting it at all if the effects are to make the target trust you as a friend or ally when they ARE your friend and ally. The charisma check is just fluff for what it takes to make somebody that doesn't know anything about you feel comfortable enough to take your command without any background on your motives.

Yes, though from that description Dandu posted it seems like it pushes them even more in the friendly direction. You have a very good point though.


So.... I'm still not sure after your answers.

Iron Heart Surge: Yes or no?

 

[HoboGod]

It's normally a spellcraft check to identify a spell, but you're DM might allow knowledge (arcana) to identify that some sort of spell is in place.

 

[Road_Runner]

It's normally a spellcraft check to identify a spell, but you're DM might allow knowledge (arcana) to identify that some sort of spell is in place.

So.... do you think if I identified the spell with a spellcraft check I would be allowed to use Iron Heart Surge?

Btw my DM doesn't really care either way, and I really didn't want to start arguing with the obnoxious psion.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

So.... do you think if I identified the spell with a spellcraft check I would be allowed to use Iron Heart Surge?

Absolutely. Possibly even if you FAILED the save, if this is a common occurance and thus you know he does this to you. Hell, nothing in the rules stops you from using Iron Heart Surge "just because" every ten minutes or whatever. As long as you can move and have the ability to take a standard action, surge away!

Only quibble: If it is a psion, you'll want psicraft.

 

[Dandu]

Also, it should not function like dominate person.

Also, you should always use Iron Heart Surge. Not only does it get rid of unwanted, unknown conditions, but also improves your skin and hair.

 

[Road_Runner]

Also, it should not function like dominate person.

Also, you should always use Iron Heart Surge. Not only does it get rid of unwanted, unknown conditions, but also improves your skin and hair.

lol.

Ok thanks for the answers guys.

 

[Cor_Malek]

Lol, one would think, that he wouldn't need to cast this spell. Most PC's act as if under it anyway - fighters charging into melee with a dragon to grant a wizard extra casting time, clerics healing worshippers of other gods for free, etc. Is there any point to him casting it, or does he simply burn his psi points?

It could be a good RP segue though, and it allows your character to be a bit more wacky and interesting. IE - your character could hate the psion normally, and act friendly when under the spell, generating fun Jeckyl&Hyde moments. It'd also grant your DM and other players a fun tool for group interaction.

Could be particularly funny if you have different alignments, and your character would assume that the psion, your great friend, is surely lawful good! "I'll protect ya!" *cast protection from chaos*