Abilities: Difference between revisions

{{ up to date | 2023-08-15 }} <!-- Date format is YEAR-MONTH-DAY, like 2023-08-07. -->{{NoExcerpt|''See also: [[Ability Score Modifier]]''}}

'''Ability Scores''' are the numerical values for a character's six Abilities. They represent a creature's physical and mental attributes. The Scores translate directly into [[Ability Score Modifier]]s - the bonuses or penalties that are added to (or subtracted from) most rolls in the game. The six Abilities are:

Each Ability describes a creature's capability in a different area:  

Generally the minimum possible Ability Score is 1, and the maximum is 20. A Score of 10 is considered average for a humanoid creature, and player characters can't start with any Score lower than 8. Ability Scores are bought with points during [[Character Creation]], and can be permanently increased through the [[Ability Improvement]] class feature (presented in the list of [[Feats]]), though this cannot raise them above 20. They may also be increased through powerful magical effects, though these are rare. Some monsters and magical creatures may have scores higher than 20.

Ability Scores may be temporarily increased above 20 through various enhancements, such as magical [[spells]], [[elixirs]], or special equipment. Some supernatural or magical effects (like [[Devour Intellect]]) can drain Abilities, reducing a victim's Ability Score, potentially to zero. This is not automatically fatal.

== Primary Ability ==

Each class has a Primary Ability, the Ability considered most important for that class. It typically affects the class's main features, such as spell [[Difficulty Class|DC]] for spellcasters, or attack and damage rolls for weapons the class is [[proficiency|proficient]] with. There's otherwise no mechanical significance to the designation.

The Primary Abilities for the classes are:

For dedicated spellcaster classes, the Primary Ability is also the [[Spells#Spellcasting_Ability_and_Proficiency|Spellcasting Ability]]. For non-spellcasters, the Primary Ability is a recommendation, but not the only viable way to build a character. For example, {{Class|Fighter}}s can be effective specializing in Dexterity using [[Finesse]] and ranged weapons.

Some classes have an important "secondary" ability not indicated by the game. For example, {{Class|Monk}}s gain a bonus from Wisdom to their [[Armour Class]], and also to unarmed damage if they follow the [[Way of the Open Hand]].

 

Racial spells may use their own designated ability. For example, the [[cantrip]] granted during character creation by the [[Elf]] or [[Half-Elf]] race always uses Intelligence, regardless of the character's class.