I am not a huge fan of the building gameplay, and you need a LOT of investment in charisma to be good at it, due to Local Leader.

However, I've heard rumors that all the best equipment and some sidequests come from settlers. Is that the case? Do you get something tangible and significant
out of the settlements? I'd rather spend those SPECIAL points somewhere else, to be honest. Charisma is easy enough to boost via clothes/drugs.