# The Six Abilities

All creatures — characters and monsters — have six abilities that measure physical and mental characteristics, as shown on the Ability Descriptions table.

## Ability Descriptions

<table id="bkmrk-abilityscore-measure"><colgroup><col></col><col></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th>Ability

</th><th>Score Measures...

</th></tr><tr><td>Strength

</td><td>Physical might

</td></tr><tr><td>Dexterity

</td><td>Agility, reflexes, and balance

</td></tr><tr><td>Constitution

</td><td>Health and stamina

</td></tr><tr><td>Intelligence

</td><td>Reasoning and memory

</td></tr><tr><td>Wisdom

</td><td>Perceptiveness and mental fortitude

</td></tr><tr><td>Charisma

</td><td>Confidence, poise and charm

</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Ability Scores

Each ability has a score from 1 to 20, although some monsters have a score as high as 30. The score represents the magnitude of an ability. The Ability Scores table summarizes what the scores mean.

### Ability Score Meanings

<table id="bkmrk-scoremeaning1this-is"><colgroup><col></col><col></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th>Score

</th><th>Meaning

</th></tr><tr><td>1

</td><td>This is the lowest a score can normally go. If an effect reduces a score to 0, that effect explains what happens.

</td></tr><tr><td>2-9

</td><td>This represents a weak ability.

</td></tr><tr><td>10-11

</td><td>This represents the human average.

</td></tr><tr><td>12-19

</td><td>This represents a strong capability.

</td></tr><tr><td>20

</td><td>This is the highest an adventurer’s score can go unless a feature says otherwise.

</td></tr><tr><td>21-29

</td><td>This represents an extraordinary capability.

</td></tr><tr><td>30

</td><td>This is the highest a score can go.

</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Ability Modifiers

Each ability has a modifier that you apply whenever you make a D20 Test with that ability (explained in “D20 Tests”). An ability modifier is derived from its score, as shown in the Ability Modifiers table.

> Round Down
> 
> Whenever you divide or multiply a number in the game, round down if you end up with a fraction, even if the fraction is one-half or greater. Some rules make an exception and tell you to round up.

### Ability Modifiers Table

<table id="bkmrk-scoremodifier1-52-3-"><colgroup><col></col><col></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th>Score

</th><th>Modifier

</th></tr><tr><td>1

</td><td>-5

</td></tr><tr><td>2-3

</td><td>-4

</td></tr><tr><td>4-5

</td><td>-3

</td></tr><tr><td>6-7

</td><td>-2

</td></tr><tr><td>8-9

</td><td>-1

</td></tr><tr><td>10-11

</td><td>+0

</td></tr><tr><td>12-13

</td><td>+1

</td></tr><tr><td>14-15

</td><td>+2

</td></tr><tr><td>16-17

</td><td>+3

</td></tr><tr><td>18-19

</td><td>+4

</td></tr><tr><td>20-21

</td><td>+5

</td></tr><tr><td>22-23

</td><td>+6

</td></tr><tr><td>24-25

</td><td>+7

</td></tr><tr><td>26-27

</td><td>+8

</td></tr><tr><td>28-29

</td><td>+9

</td></tr><tr><td>30

</td><td>+10

</td></tr></tbody></table>