I want to grab Loghaire when I have access to him, but I have three followers and my CH is only at 13. If I get a CH-boosting item or items that can raise me up to 16 temporarily, ask him to join me, then take off the items, will I have any problems? (I'm assuming the answer is "yes" and has something to do with retention, but I figured I'd ask.)

Thanks,
Jamie

P.S.: And in the same vein, can I gain levels in technological disciplines by using INT potions? ...do INT potions stack? *mischievous look*

Pretty sure you need to be around level 30 to get him to join too. Don't let that part ruin your plans.

Keep in mind that the game checks your follower limit each time you request a follower to join, whether they're a new follower or you just asked them to wait.

Note that Expert Training in Persuasion grants an extra follower. For it to work, you need 2.5 skill ranks (10 points) in Persuasion and, since effective skill is capped by stats, (I think) 9 in CH. To actually receive training, you need the same 2.5 skill ranks in Persuasion and (I think) a CH of 12 when talking to the trainer. So if you have the points to spare on skills or a skill booster, train to get the +1 permanent bonus, get the follower you want (depending on your plot progression) and recruit yet another follower when you're boosted.

CH 20 grants "no one leaves you, ever" and Master Training in Persuasion grants "everyone joins you". For the Master Training to work once you have it, you need CH 15 and Persuasion 4.5 (18). To receive Master Training, the full 20 points in both are required. Tech manuals sold in Tarant give bonuses to tech disciplines and they stack. They're expensive and (more of a problem) heavy, but strength can be raised to necessary levels. [Un]fortunately, this is not a free-for-all, because many found schematics (the ones that are learned by finding them in the world and check against your tech discipline level when you're making the item) require ingredients that are made with learned schematics (the ones that require spending character points to learn).

Just as a heads-up, you actually only need 2.25 ranks in any discipline to qualify for expertise (and 4.25 ranks for mastery*). In fact, a mere quarter-rank in any discipline, such as the one granted by Army Training or Beaten With an Ugly Stick, qualifies you for apprenticeship.

*Persuasion appears to be the sole exception... but only because while you can be given the quest itself with less, you won't be able to impress Willoughsby (no matter how perfectly you play) without at least 4.75 ranks and 19 (not 18) CH.

Hmm yeah good to know. I guess I can always put the CH-boosting items back on to ask him to re-join - at least til I finish the gods quest to boost my Persuasion (not willing to dump the CP into raising it myself, I think.) Yeah I definitely use tech manuals! The shitty part is when found schematics require learned-schematic products, though, I agree. Still kind of grumpy about my inability to craft a goggled helmet (dammit Magnus just one more level)

Yeah, not gonna happen unless you go through the hassle of editing his auto-leveling scheme. All tech-based followers stop at four ranks each in their two chosen disciplines — except for Franklin "I just dabble" Payne, who learns the first level in all of them.

Hah yeah I know. I understand why Troika made it that way, but it's still hella frustrating

I just got Persuasion mastery the other night with 18 CH. That being said, it's worth noting that I had 5 ranks in Persuasion. This combined with most of the really good schematics being axed from the end product lead me to believe that Troika severely overestimated the power of Tech.