I'd agree with this. I don't need the option to be a pacifist, but I do enjoy minimizing carnage on some playthroughs or, quite the opposite, using such a skill to cause more damage to enemy factions, by being a manipulative bastard.
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I completely agree. That's the point of these talents/skills or whatever name you want to use.
Being able to achieve some critical objectives by your words, charisma, intimidation, etc, etc.
Some places in Dragon Age Origins, Neverwinter nights or Spiderweb games (specially geneforge) allow players to be extremely persuasive and manipulative.