How to Roll Stats in D&D 5e: 4d6 Drop Lowest, Standard Array & Point Buy
D&D 5e gives you three ways to set ability scores. You can roll 4d6 and drop the lowest die six times, use the standard array of 15, 14, 13, 12, 10 and 8, or spend 27 points with point buy. Rolling is random and averages about 12 per score; the other two keep every character balanced.
What are the three ways to roll stats in 5e?
The Player's Handbook offers three methods for generating your six ability scores. Your DM decides which ones the table uses.
| Method | How it works | Total of 6 scores | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4d6 drop lowest | Roll 4d6 six times, drop the lowest die each time | About 73 on average, but anywhere from 18 to 108 | Tables that enjoy randomness |
| Standard array | Assign 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 | Always 72 | Quick, balanced characters |
| Point buy | Spend 27 points on scores from 8 to 15 | 69 to 75, depending on spend | Players who want full control |
How does 4d6 drop lowest work?
- Roll four six-sided dice.
- Remove the lowest die. If two dice tie for lowest, remove only one.
- Add the remaining three dice to get one score from 3 to 18.
- Repeat until you have six scores.
- Assign the scores to your six abilities, then apply background or species bonuses.
You can do all six rolls at once with the stat roller, or roll one set at a time with the 4d6 roller.
What are the odds when you roll 4d6 drop lowest?
Dropping the lowest die pushes the average up from 10.5 (plain 3d6) to about 12.24. The most likely single score is 13.
- Average score: 12.24, so an average set of six totals about 73.
- Chance of an 18 on one score: 1.62%, about 1 in 62.
- Chance of at least one 18 in a set of six: about 9.3%.
- Chance of at least one 16 or higher in a set: about 57%.
- Chance of a score of 8 or lower: about 10.5% per score.
The full score-by-score table is on the 4d6 page.
What is the standard array in 5e?
The standard array is 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8. Put each number in one ability. A typical approach is to put 15 in your class's main ability, 14 in Constitution or a secondary ability, and 8 in the ability you care least about. The 2024 rules then add +2 and +1 (or +1 to three abilities) from your background; the 2014 rules add bonuses from your race.
How does point buy work in 5e?
Every ability starts at 8 and you get 27 points. You cannot buy a score above 15 or below 8 before bonuses. The cost rises at 14 and 15:
| Score | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total cost | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 |
The standard array costs exactly 27 points, so it is one of many legal point-buy builds. Try other spreads with the point-buy calculator on the stat roller page.
How do ability scores become modifiers?
Subtract 10 from the score, divide by 2 and round down. The modifier is what you add to d20 rolls.
| Score | 3 | 4–5 | 6–7 | 8–9 | 10–11 | 12–13 | 14–15 | 16–17 | 18–19 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modifier | −4 | −3 | −2 | −1 | +0 | +1 | +2 | +3 | +4 | +5 |
Which method should you use?
Rolling makes each character feel unique, but one player can end up with far better scores than another. The standard array is the fastest and keeps the party even. Point buy is the same budget as the array with more freedom, which suits players who already know the build they want. If your group rolls, agree on a house rule for very low sets (for example, reroll if the total modifier is +0 or less) before anyone picks up the dice.
FAQ
What is the best way to roll stats in 5e?
There is no single best way. Rolling 4d6 drop lowest is exciting but can leave one player much stronger than another. The standard array and point buy give everyone the same budget, which many groups prefer for balance.
Can you reroll bad stats in 5e?
The rules do not include a reroll, but many DMs allow one if the total modifiers are very low (for example +0 or less) or if no score is above 13. Agree on a house rule before anyone rolls.
Do you roll stats in order in 5e?
Not by default. The Player's Handbook lets you roll six scores and then assign them to any abilities. Rolling "3d6 in order" is an old-school variant some tables use for a challenge.
How many points do you get for point buy in 5e?
You get 27 points. Every score starts at 8, and a 15 costs 9 points, so you can afford, for example, 15, 15, 15, 8, 8, 8 or 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8.
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Contains content from the System Reference Document 5.1 and 5.2 by Wizards of the Coast LLC, used under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.