I don't actually know if an idea like this is out there (or even implemented) but here it is:

What this 'mod' would be, is the ability to rob generic NPC's (Prospectors, Travelling Merchants, NCR troops etc etc). The idea would involve adding dialogue to the NPC along the lines of "I'm robbing you, hand over your stuff". Then hey presto, your the next dike Turpin. Although it would obviously be a lot more complex than that of course. First off, it should factor into account the players skills for intimidation which would be Speech & Barter. The higher these skills, the higher the chance that your victim will comply. Now thats the basics of it. Other things that should be taken into account are the total value of all the NPC's items (higher value, higher chance of resisting) and if any other NPC's are following the victim NPC or vice versa (Since if the NPC is following/being followed there's a high probability that they're in a patrol/caravan). If the NPC has companions, the chances are even greater that your heist will go badly and end up with you being slotted in the face. One last factor to take into account would be the players weapon. If you're equipped with a pool cue, chances are that you'll be told to take a hike. If you're equipped with a shotgun for example, the victim probably knows something bad will happen to one of you and be willing to submit to your demands (even if you have no ammo ) Now this would affect your relations with the associated party obviously, but it would be a good thing for playing specific types of character.

Just getting that idea out there. Hopefully someone who's clued up could do something like this, sadly that's not me as I am bloody hopeless at all things computery.

I'd say Strength should factor in, you don't argue with someone who's mugging you and looks like the incredible Hulk. Charisma and barter sounds good, hell, if you have 100 speech you could just be like "I've got a gun, let's say you give me everything you ahve and I won't have to pull it on you. Okay?"

Working on this as part of a larger mod. Currently works, but only for Goodsprings and the 188 Trading Post, and the system is extremely simplified at the moment.

If I may hijack your thread for input for a moment, would the mod be better if you could only see the robbing dialogue whilst wearing a specific mask or something?

EDIT: I'm using Charisma without factoring in Barter at the moment, since Charisma seems the most underpowered of the SPECIAL traits and I'd like to give it a little more use. I'm currently thinking I'll go with a combination of strength and charisma, but with Charisma making a greater difference.

Underpowered? With the amount of Speech checks in NV I'd say it's among the best stats.

Anyway, I don't think you should have to wear a mask to rob someone, muggings happen every day and not everyone bothers hiding their face as long as they've got a gun, or knife. I should be able to mug someone no matter what I wear, but my reputation would have to suffer accordingly.

It would be awsum to be able to rob ppl. Make it a perk or the mask idea is cool too.

Id love to just take peoples stuff and not have to kill them.

But i dont have it on PC so it dnt really matter. =(

It's easy to get Speech to 100 with a Charisma of 1. Speech is not underpowered, Charisma is.

Ah, good stuff!

As Urge said, including strength is a good idea. Although other things should be able to compensate for it i.e having a charisma of around 8 and a speech of 80 or higher. But something like robbing people should be more of a thing you do in the lower levels for some goodies, so the total value of NPC's items should factor in to the speech/charisma/strength requirements. So you'd be able to rob a poorly equipped prospector, but will no doubt struggle with an NCR trooper.