d20 SRD :: Basics :: Core Mechanics :: Ability Scores

ABILITY MODIFIERS

Each ability, after changes made because of race, has a modifier ranging from -5 to +5. Table: Ability Modifiers and Bonus Spells shows the modifier for each score. It also shows bonus spells, which you'll need to know about if your character is a spellcaster.
The modifier is the number you apply to the die roll when your character tries to do something related to
that ability. You also use the modifier with some numbers that aren't die rolls. A positive modifier is called a bonus, and a negative modifier is called a penalty.
Table: Ability Modifiers and Bonus Spells
----------- Bonus Spells (by Spell Level) -----------
Score
Modifier
0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
1
-5
----------- Can't cast spells tied to this ability ---------
2-3
-4
----------- Can't cast spells tied to this ability ---------
4-5
-3
----------- Can't cast spells tied to this ability ---------
6-7
-2
----------- Can't cast spells tied to this ability ---------
8-9
-1
----------- Can't cast spells tied to this ability ---------
10-11
0
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
12-13
+1
-
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
14-15
+2
-
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
16-17
+3
-
1
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
18-19
+4
-
1
1
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
20-21
+5
-
2
1
1
1
1
-
-
-
-
22-23
+6
-
2
2
1
1
1
1
-
-
-
24-25
+7
-
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
-
-
26-27
+8
-
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
-
28-29
+9
-
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
30-31
+10
-
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
32-33
+11
-
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
1
34-35
+12
-
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
1
36-37
+13
-
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
38-39
+14
-
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
40-41
+15
-
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
42-43
+16
-
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
44-45
+17
-
5
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
etc. . .
Find topic in: Basics, Characters, Combat, Epic, Monsters, Psionic, Rules of the Game
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