Channelling and low charisma

[Chubbs McGee]

Hi, I have a character with the following stats Str 13, Dex 14, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 8. Unfortunately, the stats are static. I am wondering, as I want to play a cleric (probably of Lissala), how I can compensate for a low Charisma when channelling. Is it worth taking variant channelling (like rulership) rather than trying to heal?

My concept so far is a cleric focused on duty and obedience, who supports the ruler (another PC) as an advisor (with the plan to take up a leadership position in the future). I am thinking of Lissala as part of a rulership cult or church that guards and protects the ruler of the kingdom.

[Derklord]

Well, variant channelling doesn't really change the issue - you have only two channels per day (and at abyssal DC). Quite frankly, I'd simply take an archetype that replaces Channel Energy, Divine Scourge or Divine Strategist.

[Drone]

The rulership variant channeling would only be a help if the one you're helping is using charm effects. If the ruler PC is a non-spellcaster, it's pointless.
If, however, they are a fighter-type (and lawful), how about the Justice/Law variant channeling?
Is the campaign political (role-playing political maneuvering, diplomatic missions, court intrigue?) or adventuring (reclaiming the ruler PC's birthright)? If it's the former, maybe the Honor subdomain from the APG. For the latter, consider the Tactics subdomain or Weapons variant channeling.

[Arachnofiend]

Your charisma score doesn't affect the potency of channel if you aren't using it offensively, just your number of uses per day. I'd say a very small number of uses of a free out-of-combat heal is a better use of your resources than a small number of uses for a minor in-combat bonus that takes up your action economy; of course, as Derklord said the best solution may be to simply take an archetype that swaps out channeling.

[JiaYou]

Depending on party composition and level you could also be an Evangelist cleric. You lose a domain and heavy armor but you gain bardic performance. If you're higher than level 1 you'll have a decent number of rounds of performance even with an 8 charisma.

[Chubbs McGee]

Thank you for the ideas guys. The low Charisma has definitely been a hard hit for my cleric.

[Magda Luckbender]

@OP: Low CHA works great for an Evangelist Reach Cleric. Channeling is a minor cleric class feature, and evangelists trade away 1/3 of channeling power in exchange for full Bardic powers. This approach makes for a fine Cleric with just 8 CHA. This sort of cleric excels at mitigating incoming damage and is an effective addition to any party.

[Xaimum Mafire]

Extra Channel and Improved Channel are options, if you really want to channel with an 8 Charisma.

Also, look into Bless Equipment from the Undead Slayer's Handbook.

Bless Equipment

The table it mentions in the link is here: Align Equipment

Align Equipment isn't that great, but it's an option, if you like what Bless Equipment can do.

[Slim Jim]

Do Magda Luckbender's reach-cleric; you'll have a ton of fun.

Offensive channeling is much better suited to paladins. Save your standard-actions for spells (e.g., summoning feats synergize very well with reach-cleric tactics).