Creating a character is one of the most exciting parts of starting a new Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) 5th Edition campaign. One of the first and most crucial steps in this process is determining your character’s ability scores. These scores—Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma—define your character’s inherent capabilities and greatly influence their effectiveness in various situations. There are several methods for generating these scores, and one of the most common and arguably most thrilling is the “roll for stats” method. This guide will provide a comprehensive walkthrough of how to roll for stats in 5e, along with tips, strategies, and considerations to help you create a well-rounded and engaging character.
Understanding Ability Scores
Before diving into the rolling process, it’s essential to understand what each ability score represents and how it impacts your character:
- Strength (STR): Measures physical power and athleticism. It affects melee attack rolls, carrying capacity, and Athletics skill checks.
- Dexterity (DEX): Measures agility, reflexes, and balance. It affects Armor Class (AC), ranged attack rolls, initiative, and skills like Acrobatics, Stealth, and Sleight of Hand.
- Constitution (CON): Measures health, stamina, and vitality. It affects hit points (HP), saving throws against poison and disease, and concentration checks for spellcasters.
- Intelligence (INT): Measures mental acuity, memory, and reasoning. It affects skills like Arcana, History, Investigation, and Nature. It’s also important for spellcasters like Wizards.
- Wisdom (WIS): Measures perception, intuition, and insight. It affects skills like Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Perception, and Survival. It’s crucial for spellcasters like Clerics and Druids.
- Charisma (CHA): Measures force of personality, persuasiveness, and attractiveness. It affects skills like Deception, Intimidation, Performance, and Persuasion. It’s vital for spellcasters like Bards, Paladins, and Sorcerers.
The Standard Roll for Stats Method: 4d6 Drop Lowest
The most widely used and recommended method for rolling stats in 5e is the 4d6 drop lowest method. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Roll 4d6: For each ability score, roll four six-sided dice (4d6). You can use physical dice, a dice rolling app, or an online dice roller. Ensure the tool you’re using is fair and unbiased.
- Discard the Lowest: After rolling the four dice, identify the lowest number. Discard it. For example, if you roll 1, 3, 5, and 6, you would discard the 1.
- Sum the Remaining Dice: Add the values of the remaining three dice. In our example, 3 + 5 + 6 = 14. This is your ability score.
- Repeat Six Times: Repeat steps 1-3 six times. Each result will be assigned to one of your character’s six ability scores.
- Assign Scores: Decide which score goes to which ability. This is a crucial step. Consider your character concept and class. A fighter might prioritize Strength and Constitution, while a wizard might prioritize Intelligence and Constitution.
Example:
Let’s walk through a complete example:
- Roll 1: 2, 4, 5, 6. Discard 2. Sum: 4 + 5 + 6 = 15
- Roll 2: 1, 1, 3, 6. Discard 1. Sum: 1 + 3 + 6 = 10
- Roll 3: 3, 4, 4, 5. Discard 3. Sum: 4 + 4 + 5 = 13
- Roll 4: 2, 2, 2, 5. Discard 2. Sum: 2 + 2 + 5 = 9
- Roll 5: 4, 5, 5, 5. Discard 4. Sum: 5 + 5 + 5 = 15
- Roll 6: 1, 3, 4, 4. Discard 1. Sum: 3 + 4 + 4 = 11
You now have the following scores: 15, 10, 13, 9, 15, 11. Now you must assign them to your abilities. If you’re creating a Barbarian, you might assign:
- Strength: 15
- Dexterity: 13
- Constitution: 15
- Intelligence: 9
- Wisdom: 11
- Charisma: 10
This gives you a strong, resilient Barbarian with decent Dexterity and a lower Intelligence score, reflecting the classic Barbarian trope.
Considerations When Assigning Ability Scores
Assigning your ability scores is just as important as rolling them. Here are some things to consider:
- Class Requirements: Some classes are heavily reliant on specific abilities. For example, Wizards need high Intelligence, while Paladins need high Strength and Charisma.
- Character Concept: Consider your character’s backstory, personality, and intended role in the party. A sneaky rogue might prioritize Dexterity, while a wise cleric might prioritize Wisdom.
- Party Composition: Think about the existing characters in your party. If no one else is playing a tank, you might want to prioritize Strength and Constitution, even if your class doesn’t strictly require it.
- Min-Maxing vs. Roleplaying: While optimizing your scores for maximum effectiveness (min-maxing) can be tempting, remember that D&D is a roleplaying game. Don’t be afraid to embrace a lower score in a less crucial ability to create a more interesting and flawed character.
- Saving Throws: Consider which saving throws are most common in your campaign. Dexterity, Constitution, and Wisdom saving throws are generally more frequent and important than Strength, Intelligence, and Charisma.
Dealing with Low or High Rolls
The roll for stats method can result in a wide range of outcomes. Sometimes you’ll get exceptionally high scores, and sometimes you’ll get frustratingly low scores. Here’s how to handle both scenarios:
High Rolls:
If you roll several scores of 15 or higher, you’re in a great position. Here are some tips:
- Don’t Waste Them: Avoid assigning high scores to abilities that your class or character concept doesn’t need. Maximize the impact of your best scores.
- Consider Multiclassing: High scores can open up opportunities for multiclassing, allowing you to combine the strengths of multiple classes. Just make sure it fits your character’s narrative.
- Be Generous: If you have exceptionally high scores, consider using them to support the party. For example, a high Charisma score can make you an effective diplomat, even if you’re not playing a Charisma-based class.
Low Rolls:
Rolling multiple scores below 10 can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to ruin your character. Here’s how to cope:
- Prioritize Essentials: Focus on the abilities that are most crucial for your class and character concept. Accept that you’ll be weaker in other areas.
- Choose a Resilient Race: Races like Hill Dwarves and Stout Halflings provide bonuses to Constitution, which can help offset low rolls.
- Play Cautiously: Avoid putting yourself in dangerous situations. Rely on your allies and use tactics to compensate for your weaknesses.
- Embrace the Flaws: Low scores can make your character more interesting. Maybe your character is clumsy, socially awkward, or not very bright. Use these flaws to create memorable roleplaying moments.
- Talk to Your DM: If you’re consistently rolling poorly, talk to your Dungeon Master (DM). They may be willing to offer some assistance, such as allowing you to reroll a particularly low score or providing in-game opportunities to improve your abilities.
Alternative Rolling Methods
While 4d6 drop lowest is the standard, several alternative methods can add variety to the character creation process:
- 3d6: This method involves rolling 3d6 for each ability score. It’s simpler than 4d6 drop lowest, but it tends to produce lower scores on average, making it more challenging to create effective characters. It can be fun for a more gritty, low-fantasy campaign.
- 5d6 Drop Two Lowest: This method involves rolling 5d6 and dropping the two lowest dice. This tends to produce higher stats than 4d6 drop lowest, leading to more powerful characters.
- Point Buy: In this method, you’re given a set number of points to allocate to your ability scores. This allows for more control over your stats and ensures that everyone starts with a relatively balanced character. The standard point buy gives you 27 points to spend.
- Standard Array: The standard array provides a pre-set list of ability scores: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8. This method ensures that everyone has the same baseline abilities and eliminates the randomness of rolling.
- Modified Standard Array: Some DMs allow players to modify the standard array slightly, such as swapping two scores or adding a point to one score at the expense of another.
- Rolling with a Minimum Total: Before assigning any of your scores, add all six scores together. If the total of all six scores is lower than 70, re-roll all your ability scores again. Some DMs may set a lower or higher minimum total depending on the power level of the campaign.
Tips for Rolling Stats Effectively
Here are some additional tips to help you roll stats effectively:
- Be Prepared: Have dice, a dice rolling app, or an online dice roller ready before you start.
- Roll in the Open: Roll your dice in front of the DM and other players to ensure fairness.
- Take Notes: Write down each roll as you make it. This will help you keep track of your scores and avoid mistakes.
- Consider Racial Bonuses: Remember to add your racial bonuses to your ability scores after you’ve assigned them. These bonuses can significantly impact your character’s overall effectiveness.
- Plan Ahead: Have a basic idea of what kind of character you want to play before you start rolling. This will help you make informed decisions about which scores to assign to which abilities.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Reroll: If you’re unhappy with your initial rolls, ask your DM if you can reroll. Some DMs are more lenient than others, but it never hurts to ask.
- Have Fun: Rolling stats can be a fun and exciting part of character creation. Don’t take it too seriously, and enjoy the process.
House Rules and DM Considerations
The roll for stats method is often subject to house rules and DM discretion. Here are some common modifications and considerations:
- Reroll 1s: Some DMs allow players to reroll any 1s that come up during the rolling process. This can help mitigate the impact of particularly bad rolls.
- Minimum Score: Some DMs set a minimum score for each ability, such as 8 or 10. This ensures that no one has cripplingly low scores.
- Guaranteed High Score: Some DMs guarantee that each player will have at least one score of 15 or higher. This can make characters feel more heroic and capable.
- Limited Rerolls: Some DMs allow players to reroll their entire set of scores once, but they must keep the second set, even if it’s worse than the first.
- Campaign Setting: The DM may adjust the rolling method based on the campaign setting. For example, a gritty, low-fantasy campaign might use 3d6, while a high-powered epic campaign might use 5d6 drop two lowest.
- Character Backstory: The DM may work with players to adjust their ability scores to better reflect their character’s backstory and personality.
The Importance of Roleplaying Over Optimization
While optimizing your ability scores can be tempting, it’s important to remember that D&D is ultimately a roleplaying game. A character with perfectly optimized stats may be effective in combat, but they may lack the depth and complexity that make a character truly memorable.
Don’t be afraid to embrace flaws and weaknesses in your character. A low Intelligence score can make your wizard hilariously clueless, while a low Charisma score can make your paladin endearingly awkward. These imperfections can lead to unexpected and delightful roleplaying moments.
Focus on creating a character that you enjoy playing, regardless of their stats. A well-rounded character with a compelling backstory and personality will always be more fun than a min-maxed character with no personality.
Ethical Considerations
When using the roll for stats method, it’s essential to be ethical and honest. Don’t cheat by manipulating the dice or fudging your rolls. This can undermine the integrity of the game and damage your relationships with other players.
If you’re using an online dice roller, make sure it’s fair and unbiased. Avoid using tools that allow you to manipulate the results. Trust and sportsmanship are essential for a positive D&D experience.
If you suspect that another player is cheating, talk to the DM privately. Don’t accuse them publicly or create a hostile environment. The DM can investigate the situation and take appropriate action.
Conclusion
Rolling for stats in D&D 5th Edition is a thrilling and potentially rewarding method for generating your character’s ability scores. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a well-rounded and engaging character that is ready to embark on epic adventures.
Remember to consider your class requirements, character concept, and party composition when assigning your scores. Don’t be afraid to embrace flaws and weaknesses, and always prioritize roleplaying over optimization. And most importantly, have fun!
Whether you roll exceptionally high or frustratingly low, the roll for stats method can add an element of unpredictability and excitement to the character creation process. Embrace the randomness, and let the dice guide you on your journey to becoming a legendary hero.
So, gather your dice, prepare your character sheet, and get ready to roll for stats! Your adventure awaits!