Generating Ability Scores
Chapter 1 of the Player's Handbook presents six die rolling methods for generating player characters. Ability
scores have been pre-generated below that qualify for the bard using all six of
these methods. The probability of generating a qualifying bard with each method
is also provided. Note that it is very difficult to generate a bard by the
standard method (method I). Only by using one of the alternative methods do you
have a good chance to roll up a bard.
If these alternative methods are used, method VI will practically guarantee a
qualifying character. Methods IV and V are also likely to succeed. Although
methods II and III are less likely to result in a qualifying bard, they are still
better than method I. However, if your DM does not allow for these alternative
methods, do not badger him. After all, it is his right to select the rules used
in his campaign. This will make the bard much more special when a qualifying
character is finally rolled.
Table 11:
PREGENERATED ABILITY SCORES
Method I
Sample
Bard #
| Str
| Dex
| Con
| Int
| Wis
| Cha
|
1
| 10
| 13
| 11
| 13
| 10
| 15
|
2
| 11
| 13
| 14
| 13
| 14
| 16
|
3
| 9
| 13
| 15
| 13
| 8
| 16
|
4
| 7
| 12
| 6
| 16
| 11
| 15
|
5
| 12
| 14
| 8
| 13
| 6
| 17
|
6
| 11
| 12
| 11
| 16
| 13
| 7
|
Method II (almost 5%)
Sample
Bard #
| Str
| Dex
| Con
| Int
| Wis
| Cha
|
1
| 12
| 15
| 14
| 16
| 13
| 16
|
2
| 10
| 13
| 13
| 15
| 16
| 15
|
3
| 9
| 12
| 13
| 13
| 12
| 15
|
4
| 15
| 12
| 14
| 13
| 14
| 15
|
5
| 14
| 12
| 12
| 13
| 11
| 16
|
6
| 9
| 16
| 17
| 14
| 14
| 15
|
Method III (slightly over 29%)
Sample
Bard #
| 3d6 Rolls
|
1
| 17, 13, 13, 10, 9, 8
|
2
| 15, 14, 13, 11, 8, 6
|
3
| 17, 16, 12, 11, 9, 6
|
4
| 16, 14, 14, 13, 12, 11
|
5
| 18, 15, 13, 13, 11, 11
|
6
| 16, 13, 13, 10, 8, 7
|
Method IV (slightly under 66%)
Sample
Bard #
| Six Best 3d6 Rolls
|
1
| 15, 14, 14, 13, 11, 11
|
2
| 18, 16, 14, 14, 13, 12
|
3
| 15, 14, 14, 13, 11, 11
|
4
| 15, 15, 13, 13, 13, 11
|
5
| 15, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11
|
6
| 15, 14, 13, 13, 13, 11
|
Method V (slightly under 75%)
Sample
Bard #
| 4d6 Rolls, Drop Low d6
|
1
| 17, 15, 14, 12, 10, 9
|
2
| 17, 16, 13, 13, 11, 10
|
3
| 18, 15, 13, 13, 12, 10
|
4
| 16, 15, 13, 12, 12, 10
|
5
| 15, 14, 13, 11, 10, 9
|
6
| 15, 14, 12, 11, 11, 6
|
Method VI (slightly under 98%)
Sample
| 8 Pts Per Ability,
|
Bard #
| Add 7d6 As Desired
|
1
| 16
| 14
| 12
| 11
| 9
| 9
|
2
| 17
| 14
| 13
| 11
| 10
| 8
|
3
| 18
| 13
| 13
| 12
| 10
| 9
|
4
| 17
| 15
| 13
| 13
| 11
| 10
|
5
| 15
| 14
| 12
| 12
| 9
| 8
|
6
| 16
| 13
| 12
| 11
| 11
| 9
|
All of the above statistics qualify for a bard player character. If it is
agreeable to you and your Dungeon Master, you may simply roll 1d6 and consult any
of the above tables your DM allows for a quick way to generate your bard's
ability scores. If your DM allows all six methods, you can even roll a first d6 to
select the table, then a second d6 to select the actual ability scores.
Method I and II require ability scores to be recorded in the order rolled.
This has been done for you. Since methods III and up allow the player to assign
the scores as desired, these scores have been organized from high to low for your
convenience. Method VI is unusual. Every ability starts with a base score of
8. The player then rolls 7d6 and adds the results to the base 8 in any order or
combination. However, the full count of a die must be added entirely to one
ability. If this causes the ability to raise above 18, then the die cannot be used
on that ability.
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