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The first and most imposing challenge ofDungeons & Dragonshas always been the creation of your character. Ability Scores stick with you from beginning to end, and how you distribute your stats across them can affect an entire playthrough. Do you use Standard Array? Point Buy? Rolling?
Related:Dungeons & Dragons: How To Fill Out A Character Sheet
The method of Ability Score distribution may be typically left up to the DM, but players should also have a grasp on what each of these means and how you can best allocate your points. And DM’s most certainly should know the difference as these methods can determine how diverse a cast of players can be.
Standard Array
At the beginning of any adventure, choosing the Standard Array means that youget the set AbilityScores below.
Theycannot change or be modifiedwithout the effects of reaching a specific level in your class or special Species bonuses you may receive (which is done after these scores are placed).
This method is best used for parties where equality or simplicity across characters is wanted.
15
(+2)
14
13
(+1)
12
10
(0)
8
(-1)
Take these scores andapply them to your abilities on your character sheet(Strength, Wisdom, etc.). You only get touse one number once.After it is used, you can no longer apply it to another ability.
A completed stat block might look like this before the addition of species or class-feat bonuses:
Point Buy
The second method of setting up your Ability Scores is the Point Buy system, one popularized by video game renditions of Dungeons & Dragons.
It starts all of yourscores out at eight,with a modifier of (-1) for all. From here, you are given27 points to spendand place across all of your stats. To spend these points, you mustfollow these rules:
9
1
2
11
3
4
5
7
To clarify,moving a stat (or ability) score up in number costs the amount indicated in the chart above. So, to move your Ability Score from eight to nine costs one point.
To move your score from eight to 15 costs nine points. But to move your score from 14 to 15 costs two.
An example of a stat block using this method might look like:
If you’re having difficulty keeping track of the Point Buy system, you can use thisunofficial calculator as a tool. It also offers tools for the other methods of Ability Score calculations and factors for Species and Background.
Rolling For Stats
If you’d like toleave your stats up to chanceand the will of the Dice Gods, you can opt out of either of the two standard methods byrolling for your stats.
The general rule of thumb is toroll 4d6 and keep the three highest numbers.Thetotal sumcan be applied to your choice of stats (unless the DM rules that you must roll for Ability Scores in order).
The stat-rolling system means that yourhighest score can be an 18and yourlowest possible score a three.This wide gap makes every character vastly different from another.
Many DM’s have house rules that state that you’re able to reroll any die that lands on one. Additionally, they may make you reroll your entire Ability Score set if the total of all your Ability Scores is less than 70.
Due to this system’s chaotic span of Ability Score potential, a stat block may end up looking like this:
6
18
(-2)
(+4)
