Article
Comments from the Finger: Kindly written by old friend of Vecna, Grand Moff Xela.
Something that has always intrigued me about D&D is the representation of a character’s capabilities through their ability scores. It’s a system that offers a simple and intuitive way to understand exactly what a character is capable of at a glance, and has remained much the same throughout various editions of the game. But what if you could get more from your score? What if your abilities weren’t just numbers on a sheet, but offered a little more flavor, a word of description to help describe how skilled or inept your character is at that ability? Here are the first three charts detailing words you can use to spice up your descriptions of your ability scores. We’ll start with the mental abilities, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma.
Intelligence
Score | Modifier | Name | Score | Modifier | Name |
10 | +0 | — | 20 | +5 | Genius |
9 | -1 | Unlearned | 19 | +4 | — |
8 | -1 | — | 18 | +4 | Erudite |
7 | -2 | Slow | 17 | +3 | — |
6 | -2 | — | 16 | +3 | Educated |
5 | -3 | Moronic | 15 | +2 | — |
4 | -3 | — | 14 | +2 | Cunning |
3 | -4 | Savage | 13 | +1 | — |
2 | -4 | — | 12 | +1 | Bright |
1 | -5 | Mindless | 11 | +0 | — |
Wisdom
Score | Modifier | Name | Score | Modifier | Name |
10 | +0 | — | 20 | +5 | Enlightened |
9 | -1 | Foolish | 19 | +4 | — |
8 | -1 | — | 18 | +4 | Discerning |
7 | -2 | Gullible | 17 | +3 | — |
6 | -2 | — | 16 | +3 | Insightful |
5 | -3 | Naive | 15 | +2 | — |
4 | -3 | — | 14 | +2 | Astute |
3 | -4 | Witless | 13 | +1 | — |
2 | -4 | — | 12 | +1 | Intuitive |
1 | -5 | Primal | 11 | +0 | — |
Charisma
Score | Modifier | Name | Score | Modifier | Name |
10 | +0 | — | 20 | +5 | Irresistible |
9 | -1 | Blunt | 19 | +4 | — |
8 | -1 | — | 18 | +4 | Captivating |
7 | -2 | Raucous | 17 | +3 | — |
6 | -2 | — | 16 | +3 | Eloquent |
5 | -3 | Churlish | 15 | +2 | — |
4 | -3 | — | 14 | +2 | Charming |
3 | -4 | Philistine | 13 | +1 | — |
2 | -4 | — | 12 | +1 | Affable |
1 | -5 | Repulsive | 11 | +0 | — |