Ability Scores

Categories of Ability Scores

Six abilities provide description of every creature's physical and mental characteristics:

• Constitution : Measurement of ones endurance.
• Charisma : Measurement of ones force of personality.
• Dexterity : Measurement of ones agility.
• Intelligence : Measurement of ones memory and reasoning.
• Strength : Measurement of ones physical power
• Wisdom : Measurement of ones perception and insight.

Ability Scores and Modifiers

Each of a creature's abilities has a score, a number that defines the magnitude of that ability. An Ability score is not just a measure of innate capabilities, but also encompasses a creature's training and competence in activities related to that ability.

A score of 10 or 11 is the Normal human average, but adventurers and many monsters are a cut above average in most abilities. A score of 18 is the Highest that a person usually reaches. Adventurers can have scores as high as 20, and Monsters and divine beings can have scores as high as 30.

Each Ability also has a Modifier , derived from the score and Ranging from −5 (for an ability score of 1) to +10 (for a score of 30). The Ability Scores and Modifiers table notes the Ability modifiers for the range of possible Ability scores , from 1 to 30.

Ability Modifiers Table

Score	Modifier
1	-5
2-3	-4
4-5	-3
6-7	-2
8-9	-1
10-11	0
12-13	+1
14-15	+2
16-17	+3
18-19	+4
20-21	+5
22-23	+6
24-25	+7
26-27	+8
28-29	+9
30	+10

To determine an Ability modifier without consulting the table, use equation: $\mathrm{Modifier}=\mathrm{floor}\left(\frac{\mathrm{Ability\; score}-\mathrm{10}}{2}\right)$

Because Ability modifiers affect almost every Attack roll , Ability check , and Saving throw , Ability modifiers come up in play more often than their associated Ability scores .