Ability Score and Core Stats

This week we created an infographic to help explain the basics of the ability scores to new players.

A characters' Core Stats are rolled at the beginning of a campaign and they go up as your character levels up.

When your DM asks you to roll an ability check; you roll a D20 and then add the modifier assigned to that particular skill, and if possible you can add the proficiency bonus for your character's level.

There are generally 3 kinds of rolls during a game, ability checks, saving throws and attack rolls. All of the basic types of rolls are completed with the same method as stated earlier, roll a D20 and add the proper modifier and proficiency bonus.

We have already talked about ability checks, so next is Saving Throws (Or saves); these are rolled to attempt to resist something. The score you would need to accomplish this varies bases on the obstacle. (This is known as is Difficulty Class or its DC)

Attack rolls are what a player would roll when trying to complete an attack on another character be that by melee, ranged weapon or by casting a spell. This roll determines if the attack hits or misses the target. This is done by rolling and trying to gain a score that is above the enemies Armor Class (or AC).

Like noted before a characters ability score in a certain area determines their modifier for that specific score. This table shows exactly what the modifier is in DnD 5th Edition for all of the possible ability scores.

Sometimes things going on around you can effect the roll that you are making, these things may have both positive or negative effects. This is better known as rolling with Advantage or rolling with Disadvantage. This means that you rolls twice and either take the higher or lower number depending on if you roll with advantage or disadvantage.

Check back with us next week for a thank you and a conversation about being new to DnD from all of us here at Under the Dungeon!

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For more auditory learners this guide from Critical Role helps explain ability scores as well: