Should a very smart character have access to stupid dialogue

[Grimhound]

Case in point:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyser_Söze
(Warning. Spoilers if you haven't seen 'The Usual Suspects'.)

Just bringing this up for discussion.

 

[lucas.]

It would overpower intelligent characters.

 

[nemetoad]

I need to watch that movie at some point...maybe tomorrow....

I say...yes, they should be allowed. ASSUMING Obsidian does provide both smart and dumb routes to situations, smart characters should have access to the dumb route, but have to roll a check on their persuasion skill or something. After all, it would be bluffing.

...All I can think of is the movie The Ringer, about the average joe trying to act mentally handicapped in order to participate in the special Olympics. Dumb movie, it was unfortunate I even saw a bit of it, but still a good example. Saying something dumb is different from being dumb

 

[Mutant_Rascal]

Maybe there could be a perk or a trait... Liar, pretender or the likes.

 

[lucas.]

I'd love a perk reference to Jonnhy Knoxville! XD

 

[Takashi]

I'd like to see it added in a sardonic style if they go that route

 

[Scowllyface]

New Trait: Tard Happy

your intelligence takes a toll, but at least you have chocolate milk.

 

[smber2cnma]

I say...yes, they should be allowed. ASSUMING Obsidian does provide both smart and dumb routes to situations, smart characters should have access to the dumb route, but have to roll a check on their persuasion skill or something. After all, it would be bluffing.

I like this idea too, though I'd think it could just depend on speech skill as to whether it sounded genuinely ignorant or fake. If not speech, what other skill would be used to show ability to con? Charisma perhaps.

 

[Mapex]

Because you are intelligent and you know what an uneducated, highly primitive, or mentally ill person sounds like does not mean you can easily pull it off convincingly.

You need to have enough Charisma and Speech to convincingly portray a lack of intelligence, which is the same way a less intellectual person can successfully convince others that he is a master of a field. Shawn Spencer's character from Psych is able to pull off that he's a psychic not because he's Intelligent like Dr. House but because he's very Charismatic and Perceptive.

On that note, I'm surprised Perception (Wisdom in other games) doesn't play a much larger part in conversational choices. Being able to Perceive others' feelings allows you to sympathize and empathize and eventually manipulate them to believe what you want them to believe, just like Strength and Intelligence may intimidate or get a rise out of someone.