CHARACTER GENERATION > Ability Scores
Throw four six-sided dice, discard the lowest scoring die, and total the rest. Repeat five more times, giving you six scores between 3 and 18. Assign these six scores to the principal attributes of your character: -
STRENGTH (STR) measures a character's muscle, endurance, and stamina. This ability is the prime requisite of Warriors because they must be physically powerful in order to wear armor and wield heavy weapons.
DEXTERITY (DEX) encompasses several physical attributes including hand-eye coordination, agility, reaction speed, reflexes, and balance. Dexterity affects a character's reaction to a threat or surprise, his accuracy with thrown weapons and bows, and his ability to dodge an enemy's blows. It is the prime requisite of Rogues and affects their professional skills.
A character's CONSTITUTION (CON) score encompasses his physique, fitness, health, and physical resistance to hardship, injury, and disease. Since this ability affects the character's hit points and chances of surviving such tremendous shocks as being physically reshaped by magic or resurrected from death, it is vitally important to all classes.
INTELLIGENCE (INT) represents a character's memory, reasoning, and learning ability, including areas outside those measured by the written word. Intelligence dictates the number of languages a character can learn. Intelligence is the prime requisite of Wizards, who must have keen minds to understand and memorize magical spells.
WISDOM (WIS) describes a composite of the character's enlightenment, judgment, guile, willpower, common sense, and intuition. It can affect the character's resistance to magical attack. It is the prime requisite of Priests.
The CHARISMA (CHA) score measures a character's persuasiveness, personal magnetism, and ability to lead. It is not a reflection of physical attractiveness, although attractiveness certainly plays a role. It is important to all characters, but especially to those who must deal with nonplayer characters (NPCs), mercenary hirelings, retainers, and intelligent monsters.