Point Buy Calculator

Point Buy Totals

• Pathfinder Society: 20 points
• Low-powered Fantasy: 10 points
• Standard Fantasy: 15 points
• High Fantasy: 20 points
• Epic Fantasy: 25 points

When you’re diving into Dungeons and Dragons, understanding the 5e point buy system can be a bit tricky, whether you’re a veteran player or someone who’s still unsure about how it works. This calculator is an incredible tool to help you navigate the 5e system, making the process of assigning ability scores for your character simple and stress-free. 

With its online support, the calculator guides you step-by-step, ensuring you’re following the official rules and can assign your scores quickly. Whether you’re crafting a new character or just refreshing your memory, this tool helps even if you’re unsure about how to balance the scores or how the SRD races and their ability score bonuses work.

No more worrying about paper and pen calculations when you’re making hundreds of characters a day. With this 5th edition system, you’ll have everything you need right at your fingertips. The calculator will also help you customize your setup, should you wish to tweak things beyond the official rules. 

Grab your favorite setup, and let the calculator guide you through each score. This is a must-have for anyone serious about making their character stand out in the game!

How to use the point buy calculator for 5e?

If you’re ready to jump into using the point buy system, the calculator for 5e makes the process easy! First, you simply need to select your ability scores and see how they align with the 5e rules. The tool will automatically show you the cost associated with each score, and you can adjust them as needed. 

It works by allowing you to check how much you can spend and if it fits your desired results, giving you instant feedback. Whether you’re just starting or a veteran player making new characters, this calculator saves you time and makes sure the point buy system works correctly every time.

Enter your base ability scores.

To get started with the point buy system, first, you need to enter your base ability scores. The calculator will let you see how much you can spend on each score. As you fill in the fields, the expenditure will add up and show you exactly how many points are left. 

If you need more guidance, you can always consult the score-to-point table for details or refer to the article for extra help. This step ensures that you’re following the rules correctly and don’t accidentally overspend on your ability score allocations.

Select your character’s race.

When you’re using the point buy calculator for 5e, the next step is to select your character’s race. The race you choose will impact your ability scores because certain racial bonuses are added to them. If your chosen race is listed, simply pick it from the options. If not, you can choose Other and enter the racial bonuses manually. 

Some races offer free-floating +1’s that can be assigned to any ability score, which can be really helpful when deciding how to balance your boosted scores. This allows you to tailor your character’s strengths to fit your playstyle or the role you want to fill in your party.

Find your character’s ability scores summarized 

Once you’ve entered all your selections, the 5e point buy calculator will show a table at the bottom of the page. This table lists your character’s final ability scores and their corresponding modifiers. It’s a great way to quickly see how your choices have come together and if any adjustments are needed. 

The calculator will update everything automatically, so you can see how your ability scores and modifiers work together in one place. This feature makes the entire process smoother and ensures you’re following the right steps to get your perfect character.

💡 Ability scores and ability modifiers.

In 5e, ability scores directly affect your character’s capabilities, and the ability modifier is determined by those scores. For example, a character with an Intelligence score of 15 will have a modifier of +2. This modifier is then added to skill checks governed by that ability, like Arcana checks. If you want to customize your 5e point buy setup, you can adjust the calculator to fit your house rules. 

You can raise or lower the point total from 27, or change the lowest and highest purchasable ability scores from 8 to 15. You can even adjust the point costs for each score in the sections of the calculator to make sure your character fits your desired playstyle.

What is DnD point buy?

The point buy system in 5e is a way to create balanced characters by allocating points to different ability scores such as Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. Instead of randomly rolling for scores, you have a set budget to spend on the scores you want. 

The calculator helps you assign points and makes sure the math works out correctly. It’s a perfect solution for players who are curious about how the system works or those who want to know exactly how their ability scores affect things like combat with a sword, hit points, or even bartering with shopkeepers. 

The Dungeon Master (DM) may allow different methods for generating scores, like the standard array (with scores like 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15) or a dice roll to randomly generate them. Whether you use the point buy method or another, the goal is to ensure your character’s characteristics are fit for the challenges ahead!

What are the rules for DnD 5e point buy?

In 5th edition DnD, the point buy system lets a player spend 27 points to buy their ability scores. The point cost increases as you go up in score: an 8 costs 0 points, a 9 costs 1 point, and so on, with a 15 costing 9 points. 

This system allows you to assign the points to the abilities you need for your character, like Strength, Dexterity, or Intelligence. For instance, a wizard might prioritize a high Intelligence, while a barbarian may focus on Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution.

 Managing your budget is key, so if you choose 18 points on 12s and 2 points for a 10, you’ll need to plan the remaining points wisely to ensure you don’t overspend. This helps keep your character’s power balanced and fair.

How do I calculate DnD ability score modifiers?

To calculate an ability score modifier, start by subtracting 10 from your ability score. Then, halve the result and round down to the nearest integer. For example, if your ability score is 15, subtract 10, which leaves you with 5, then halve that to get 2, so your modifier is +2. You can always consult a handy table for the corresponding modifiers to quickly see how your scores affect your modifiers. 

For example, a score of 1 gives a modifier of −5, while a score of 20 gives a modifier of +5. Remember, these modifiers influence things like skill checks, where you’ll add your modifier to the result of your roll.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the six ability scores in DnD 5e?

The six ability scores in DnD 5e are Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. Each of these represents a different aspect of your character’s abilities. For example, Strength covers natural athleticism and bodily power, while Dexterity represents physical agility and reflexes. Other scores like Intelligence and Wisdom cover mental and analytical skill, and Charisma influences your confidence and force of personality.

Q: Can I get a 16 in any ability score with the point buy system?

No, the official 5e point buy rules, as outlined in the Player’s Handbook, limit available scores to between 8 and 15. However, with the help of racial bonuses, a character could potentially start with an ability score of 17. This bonus is often determined by your race, such as an orc who might get a high bonus to Strength.

Q: What happens if I try to put all 8s with point buy?

With point buy, you cannot just set all your scores to 8s. If you were to select three 8s, you would spend no points on those, but you’d still have to spend the remaining 27 points wisely on your other scores. You’d need to allocate them, for example, with three 15s costing 9 points each and other scores as needed.

Q: How do racial bonuses affect my point buy choices?

Racial bonuses can modify your ability scores based on the race of your character. For example, some races provide bonuses like a +2 to Strength or a +1 to Constitution, which can be added to your starting scores. These bonuses do not count against your point buy budget but must be factored into your final calculations.

Q: How do I spend my 27 points in point buy?

The total budget for point buy is 27 points, and you must assign these points to the six abilities. Each ability score has a different point cost, so careful planning is needed to make the best use of your points. A score of 8 costs 0 points, while a 15 costs 9 points. Balancing these costs is key to building a well-rounded character.