Questions tagged [ability-scores]
For questions primarily about ability scores (and their associated abilities), mechanical components of a character in all editions of D&D that represent the character's innate attributes: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma.
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How should a DM resolve a smooth-talking player with a weak Charisma score PC? [closed]
If a player is naturally a smooth-talker, does well with on-the-spot dialogue, is instinctively persuasive, and is overall great in social situations, but role-plays a character with a poor Charisma ...
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4
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Why do Sorcerers use Charisma?
Sorcerers use Charisma as their primary Ability Score for spell-casting in Dungeons and Dragons. Wizards use Intelligence to cast, and Clerics use Wisdom. Intelligence and Wisdom make sense for the ...
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Death by leveling? The effects of 0 max HP and leveling with negative CON
Since per Jeremy Crawford's twitter and Is there a floor for maximum HP? you can get into a situation where your max HP is zero due to leveling up… what happens next?
What happens when your max HP is ...
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Is it better to take the array and be Joe Average, or to roll for the odds of getting on average better scores?
I am new to D&D. I was looking at character creation for D&D 5th edition. There were a few ways one could generate ability scores. I assumed the optional method of taking the numbers 15, 14, ...
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25
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How can I avoid problems that arise from rolling ability scores?
Rolling ability scores is a time-honored tradition across many editions of D&D. However, it can sometimes cause problems for players and/or the DM. For example, one player character may end up ...
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Does a PC know the general strengths and weaknesses of their stats?
Recently I had a minor discussion with our DM about whether my character knows that he is not charismatic or not.
I believe that my character should know that he is not charismatic, our DM however ...
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1
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What happens when ability scores reach 0?
D&D 5E does not seem to have rules for ability score damage (that I could find), although it does mention that if CON is decreased, your maximum HP is reduced.
In addition, the Shadow monster in ...
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Is Dexterity overpowered compared to Strength?
Finesse weapons allow you to use Dex for attack and damage rolls. This allows most of classes, including even some first-line fighters, to dump Str for Dex - you do not lose in attack rolls, only a ...
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3
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What is the narrative difference between a Charisma and Wisdom saving throw?
Relatively few spells in D&D 5e require a Charisma saving throw, and when they do it's often difficult to describe the in-game reasons for why they require such a throw.
One of my players told me ...
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4
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Can I increase an ability score above 30?
Can I increase an ability score over 30 with an item such as a Manual of Bodily Health?
[After reading] this book... your Constitution score increases by 2, as does your maximum for that score.
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Does a character with 10 Constitution only need to eat every 4 days?
According to the food rules,
A character can go without food for a number of days
equal to 3 + his or her Constitution modifier (minimum
1). At the end of each day beyond that limit, a ...
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37
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11
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The group I DM for insists on rolled stats, but I don't want unbalanced PCs to cause group conflicts later
I'm going to be running a new campaign for my players, with our session 0 starting tomorrow. I was leaning towards the traditional ability score method of generation (roll 4d6, drop the lowest). I ...
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How important is it for a spellcaster to increase primary ability scores quickly to 20 to remain at "party level"?
One can increase ability scores at 4th and 8th level, or take a feat instead with the optional rule. Assuming player-characters are built with point-buy rules, one is probably going to start with a ...
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What would happen to my Intelligence score if I am affected by Feeblemind and attuned to a Headband of Intellect?
The description of the Headband of Intellect says:
Your Intelligence score is 19 while you wear this headband. It has no
effect on you if your Intelligence is already 19 or higher.
The ...
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Are there balance issues with homebrewing a magic item setting a character's Wisdom, Charisma, or Dexterity score to 19?
The DMG provides the following stat-increase items:
Gauntlet of Ogre Power (Strength)
Headband of Intellect (Intelligence)
Amulet of Health (Constitution)
Each of those set a stat to "19" unless it'...
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