Six abilities provide a quick description of every creature’s physical and mental characteristics: - **[[Strength]]**, measuring physical power - **[[Dexterity]]**, measuring agility - **[[Constitution]]**, measuring endurance - **[[Intelligence]]**, measuring reasoning and memory - **[[Wisdom]]**, measuring perception and insight - **[[Charisma]]**, measuring force of personality Is a character muscle-bound and insightful? Brilliant and charming? Nimble and hardy? Ability scores define these qualities — a creature’s assets as well as weaknesses. The three main rolls of the game — the ability check, the saving throw, and the attack roll — rely on the six ability scores. The basic rules behind these rolls are as follows: roll a d20, add an ability modifier derived from one of the six ability scores, and compare the total to a target number. This chapter focuses on how to use ability checks and saving throws, covering the fundamental activities that creatures attempt in the game. Rules for [[Attack Roll|Attack Rolls]] can be found in the [[Combat|Combat]] section. ### 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 Scores and Modifiers Table ![[Ability Scores and Modifiers Table]] To determine an ability modifier without consulting the table, subtract 10 from the ability score and then divide the total by 2 (round down). Because ability modifiers affect almost every attack roll, ability check, and saving throw, ability modifiers come up in play more often than their associated scores. ### Advantage and Disadvantage Sometimes a special ability or spell tells you that you have [[Advantage]] or [[Disadvantage]] on an ability check, a saving throw, or an attack roll. #### Advantage and Disadvantage Circumstances - If multiple situations affect a roll and each one grants advantage or imposes disadvantage on it, you don't roll more than one additional d20. - If two favorable situations grant advantage, for example, you still roll only one additional d20. - If circumstances cause a roll to have both [[Advantage]] and [[Disadvantage]], you are considered to have neither of them, and you roll one d20. - This is true even if multiple circumstances impose [[Disadvantage]] and only one grants advantage or vice versa. In such a situation, you have neither [[Advantage]] nor [[Disadvantage]]. - When you have [[Advantage]] or [[Disadvantage]] and something in the game, such as the [[Halfling]]'s [[Lucky]] trait, lets you reroll or replace the d20, you can [[Reroll]] or [[Replace]] only one of the dice. You choose which one. - For example, if a [[Halfling]] has [[Advantage]] or [[Disadvantage]] on an ability check and rolls a 1 and a 13, the halfling could use the Lucky trait to reroll the 1. - You usually gain [[Advantage]] or [[Disadvantage]] through the use of special abilities, actions, or spells. [[Inspiration]] can also give a character advantage. - The DM can also decide that circumstances influence a roll in one direction or the other and grant [[Advantage]] or impose [[Disadvantage]] as a result. #### Proficiency Bonus ![[Proficiency Bonus]] #### Ability Checks ![[Ability Check]] #### Using Each Ability ##### [[Strength]] ##### [[Dexterity]] ##### [[Constitution]] ##### [[Intelligence]] ##### [[Wisdom]] ##### [[Charisma]] #### Saving Throws ![[Saving Throws]]