When creating a character in a tabletop RPG likeDungeons & Dragons,it’s essential to know what role that character will play in the party. Part of that is to do with class choice, and tying into that is what exactly a character does — and doesn’t do — skillfully.
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That’s where ability scores come in. These stats govern almost everything in the game, from combat to magic to everyday interactions with the party and NPCs. Most players know that every class has one or two main stats they rely on more than others; for example,Barbarians have high strength, Bards have high Charisma. However, every character will find themselves relying on every ability at one point or another — for better or worse. With that in mind, here’s everything players should know about the six main stats, orability scores, inDungeons & Dragons.
Charisma
Most often,D&Dplayers associate this stat with how deftly a character can talk their way out of trouble or into an NPC’s bed. However, there’s a lot more to it than that. Charisma does govern one’s smooth talking abilities, but it also describes a character’smagnetism, artistic flair, and general likability.
Racial Bonuses
Magic
Every casting class inD&Dhas an ability score that governs their spell attack rolls and spell save DC. The specific ability that governs one’s magical prowess depends on the source of their arcane abilities, as discussed below. Charisma serves as the primary ability for the following classes, whouse it for spellcasting:
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Skill Checks
When making a check for any of the following skills, players must add their Charisma modifier to their d20 roll. Depending on the overall ability score, that modifier may be positive or negative, either increasing or decreasing the overall outcome. Charisma-governed skills typically involve interactions with other characters.
Constitution
This stat’s primary function is todetermine a character’s maximum HP. However, it may also be used as a saving throw against certain types of damage. Constitution can be used to determine whether a character resists being poisoned, or if an angry NPC’s punch knocks them over.
Determining HP
Every character determines their total hit points using theirhit die, which varies depending on one’s class. At first level, a player’s HP is equal to thehighest value on the hit die, plus their Constitution modifier. With each level-up from that point onward, players will roll their hit die to determine how many hit points they can add to their pool of health.
Dexterity
As opposed to Strength, which is meant to represent brute force,Dexterity is a measure of balance, physical precision, and agility.Low-Dexterity characters are clumsy and have a hard time moving quietly; on the other hand, high-Dexterity characters can pull off incredible feats of stealth or acrobatics.Monks, Fighters, Rangers, and Roguesall rely on Dexterity as their primary ability.
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Combat Mechanics
In terms of combat scenarios, Dexterity’s primary use is determining the player’sarmor class,or AC. By default, a character’s AC is10 + their Dexterity modifier. Thus, higher-Dexterity characters will be harder to hit — although of course, the type of armor worn affects AC as well.
This stat also determinesinitiative,which corresponds to one’s Dexterity modifier. Players must add (or subtract) this number from their Intiative roll to determine where they fall in the order. Higher Dex means quicker reflexes, and thus a greater chance of attacking first.
Weapons
Finally, Dexterity determines a character’sattack bonuswith ranged weapons.When making an attack or damage roll with a bow, crossbow, etc., players must add their Dex modifier to the roll. A higher score in this stat means better hand-eye coordination and accuracy, leading to a better chance of hitting one’s target and a more damaging strike. Ranged weapons include:
Dexterity can also be used withfinesse weapons,which allow players to choose between Strength and Dex for their rolls. Finesse weapons include:
Intelligence
Often confused with Wisdom, Intelligence measures a character’s book learning. Does a player character have auniversity education, or a dedication to a certain field of study?If so, they likely have high Intelligence.
As Intelligence is the key trait of scholars, the classes which earn their magical knowledge through years of study use it as their spellcasting ability:
Most Intelligence-governed skills are subjects that can be learned by reading up on them; topics that a character might study. High-Intelligence characters know a lot of facts and are good at retaining information, and these skill checks allow them to utilize that information.A DM may decideto give a player advantage if a specific check involves a character’s area of academic focus.
Strength
Perhaps the most straightforward stat, Strength is asimple measure of a character’s physical prowess.It determines how much a character can bench press, how hard they can swing their battleaxe, or how many teeth they can knock out with a punch.Barbarians, Fighters, and Paladinsall rely on Strength as a primary ability.
Unlike most ability scores, the Strength modifier only applies to a single skill check:
Since Strength’s narrow opportunity for skill checks can be limiting, some DM’s may decide that other skill checks can fall under Strength, depending on the circumstances. For example, a character may use their physical prowess to pass anIntimidationcheck; another may use brute force to wrangle a wild boar into submission as anAnimal Handlingcheck. Players are always free to make their case, asD&Drules often function more as guidelines than law. Remember, though, the DM has final say on house rules.
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Like Dexterity, a character’s Strength modifier is used to determine their accuracy with certain weapons —this time,melee weapons. When making an attack or damage roll with any of the following, players must add their Strength modifier:
As mentioned above,Finesseweapons allow players to choose whether to use their Strength or Dexterity modifier on their attack and damage rolls. See above for a list of these weapons.
Wisdom
Intelligence and Wisdom both deal with knowledge, but while Intelligence governs book smarts,Wisdom has more to do with intuition, life experience, and common sense.High-Wisdom characters may not know as many facts or formulas, but their street smarts get them through sticky situations. In addition to the casting classes below,Monksrely on Wisdomas a primary ability in their builds.
