Every character possesses distinct ability scores, defining their character’s uniqueness. Players allocate these numbers strategically wherever they choose. These abilities determine dice roll bonuses for success or failure, each ranging from -3 to +3, with a total limit of +5. Ancestries offer specific rules for individual ability scores bonuses and limitations.
There are 6 Ability Scores: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma
Strength
Measures: Natural athleticism, bodily power
Important for: Fighter
Modifies:
- Attacking and Damage with handheld weapons
- Athletic Checks – Pulling, Pushing or Lifting
- Max weight carried is Strength +4 x 25 pounds
Examples of Strength Checks:
- You attempt to climb a sheer or slippery cliff
- Cling to a surface while something is trying to knock you off
- You try to jump an unusually long distance
- Force open a stuck, locked, or barred door
- Lift up a heavy gate
- Break free of bonds
- Hang on to a wagon while being dragged behind it
- Tip over a statue
- Keep a boulder from rolling
Dexterity
Measures: Physical agility, reflexes, balance, poise
Important for: Thief
Modifies:
- Armor Class
- Attack with ranged weapons (shooting arrows, throwing daggers, etc.)
- Balancing and Sneaking checks
Examples of Dexterity Checks
- Balance on a small ledge
- Wriggle free of bonds
- Avoid falling boulders in an avalanche
- Play a stringed instrument
- Craft a small or detailed object
- Pick Pockets (for Thieves ONLY)
- Disarm Traps (for Thieves ONLY)
Intelligence
Measures: Mental acuity, information recall, analytical skill
Important for: Magic-User
Modifies:
- Additional Languages
- Additional Spell Points (Magic Users)
- Saving vs Magic Effects
Examples of Intelligence Checks
- Communicate with a creature without using words
- Estimate the value of a precious item
- Pull together a disguise to pass as a city guard
- Forge a document
- Recall lore about a craft or trade
- Identifying a magical item
- Win a game of skill
Wisdom
Measures: Awareness, intuition, insight
Important for: Cleric
Modifies:
- Gas Attack Checks
- Listening, Stealth (Hiding and Sneaking) and Searching Checks
Examples of Wisdom Checks
- Get a gut feeling about what course of action to follow
- Discern whether a seemingly dead or living creature is undead
- Finding your bearings underground
- Locating a secret door
- Following animal tracks
Constitution
Measures: Health, stamina, vital force
Important for: Everyone
Modifies:
- Additional Hit Points per level
- Dying Check
- Poison Checks
Examples of Constitution Checks
- Hold your breath (1 min + 1 min per Constitution plus – min 30 seconds)
- Resist the effects of hunger or fatigue
- Drink an entire pint of ale in one slug
Charisma
Measures: Confidence, eloquence, leadership
Important for: Leaders and diplomatic characters
Modifies:
- NPC Reactions
- Monsters Reactions
- Number of Hirelings
Examples of Charisma Checks
- Convince a guard to let you go
- Create a convincing lie
- Getting a discount from a merchant
- Talking a dragon out of eating you
Special: Ability Focus
A character’s ability focus is the character’s level divided by 2 rounded up. It is used anytime the character makes a dice roll with the specified ability. Which stat has “ability focus” is determined by the primary class of the character.
Example: A 3rd-level Barbarian with an Ability Focus in Strength would gain a +2 (3rd level / 2 = 1.5 rounded up to 2) when attempting any strength checks (bending bars, lifting things, attacking to hit a monster with a sword, etc).
Ability Focus By Level
| Level | Ability Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | +1 |
| 2 | +1 |
| 3 | +2 |
| 4 | +2 |
| 5 | +3 |
| 6 | +3 |
| 7 | +4 |
| 8 | +4 |
| 9 | +5 |
| 10 | +5 |
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how do i find the base speed of a character
Look on the race page or the time and movement
Ok, i must be missing something here… how do you determine what “numbers” you get for your ability scores? I know normally it’s a die roll but i don’t see anything like that here. Please explain!
Each ability must be between -3 and +3 with an overall total of no more than +5. Races can offer more overall points or higher individual ability scores. – You get to choose your numbers, but check the race for limitations.
In what way is Dexterity supposed to modify a player’s Armor Class? I haven’t found anything else about this on the rest of the site, but it’s listed under the Dexterity section on this page.
Your dexterity amount is added (or subtracted) to your Armor Class.
Thank you! 🙂
So what is the ability for thief Stealth? I see here it says dexterity is important for a thief and helps with “Sneaking checks”, but wisdom is listed as for “Hiding checks”. By that do you mean detecting someone hiding, or is wisdom for you hiding? Thanks!
Good catch. Wisdom is updated
Thank you for the pregens, they helped me out a lot as I didn’t understand how the character creating worked.
While I haven’t completely read the entire site, would it be possible to see an example of assign attribute values, the +/-3 rule, and race modifiers? I’m not familiar with the aforementioned B/X games; I’m only familiar with the classic 3d6 rolls for AD&D.
And maybe I’m missing something obvious, but an example would be greatly appreciated.
I’ll post some pregenerated characters
Check out the pregens:
/creating-characters/pregenerated-characters/
Hi. When you say pool of resources could you provide some detail on this pool? How many points are in this pool? Etc.
There isn’t a point limit. The restriction is to end up with each ability between -3 and +3 with an overall total of no more than +5. Races can offer more overall points or higher individual ability scores.