Standard Array 5e Guide | Overview & How to Use It

What is Standard Array in D&D 5E?

In Dungeons & Dragons 5e, the standard array refers to a predefined set of ability score values that your character can use instead of rolling dice to determine their statistics.

It’s a popular method for creating characters, as it provides a balanced set of scores without the unpredictability that comes with rolling.

The Player's Handbook for D&D 5e details this standard array as follows: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, and 8.

To implement the standard array method, you’ll assign each of these numbers to one of your character’s six main abilities: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma.

There’s no specific order you must follow, but it’s important to consider the abilities that are most crucial to your character’s class.

For example, a wizard would benefit from a high Intelligence score, while a fighter may need a higher Strength score.

Using the standard array is an excellent choice, especially for new players who might find the process of rolling for stats overwhelming or players looking for a fair method to create characters quickly.

The 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons has an emphasis on balanced gameplay, and utilising the standard array contributes to this by ensuring that characters aren’t too dominant or weak in any specific ability.

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How to Use the Standard Array 5e

When creating a character in Dungeons & Dragons, using the standard array method can be a fast and practical approach to determining your character’s ability scores. In this section, I’ll guide you through the process in a friendly and concise manner.

Character Creation Process

As written earlier, the standard array 5e method provides you with a predetermined set of ability scores: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, and 8.
Follow these steps to allocate these scores to your character’s abilities:

1. Familiarise yourself with your character’s class and race. Before assigning the standard array, ensure you understand your chosen character’s class and race abilities. Knowing what each ability does and how they impact your character’s performance will help you make informed decisions when assigning scores.
2. Consider your character’s role. Decide what kind of character you want to play and what their main role will be within the party. For example, if you choose a fighter, you may want to focus on strength and constitution, while a wizard might prioritise intelligence.
3. Assign the highest value to the primary ability. Once you know the kind of character you want to play and their main role, assign the highest value (15) available in the standard array to the primary ability. This choice will usually correspond to the most crucial stat for your character’s class and role.
4. Allocate the remaining scores. Determine which secondary abilities complement your character’s role and allocate the remaining scores accordingly. For instance, if you’re playing a rogue, you might prioritise dexterity first (with a 15), followed by the constitution and finally intelligence or charisma to represent their cunning nature.
5. Apply racial ability score modifications. After allocating the standard array to your character’s abilities, apply any racial modifiers related to your character’s race. Each race in D&D 5e grants specific bonuses to abilities, which you can add to your character’s scores.
6. Check for additional sources of ability score increases. Some classes, backgrounds, and feats provide bonuses to a character’s ability scores. It’s important to review these elements during the character creation process and add any relevant bonuses to your character’s abilities.

Importance of Ability Scores

Ability scores are a crucial aspect of Dungeons & Dragons as they define your character’s strengths, weaknesses, and characteristics.

Each of the six ability scores – Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma – plays a unique role in shaping your character’s abilities and personality.

Strength measures your character’s physical power, which directly impacts their capacity in melee combat. It also determines how much weight they can carry, important for those long and hazardous adventures.

Dexterity reflects your character’s agility and balance, affecting their precision in ranged combat. It also influences their ability to evade enemy attacks and disarm traps.

Constitution represents your character’s health and stamina. A high Constitution helps you withstand more damage and resist various negative effects. It’s essential for characters who face numerous enemies in combat or are constantly in harsh environments.

Intelligence covers your character’s critical thinking, memory, and logic. Characters with high Intelligence can process information quickly and excel in problem-solving. It’s vital for spellcasters like wizards, who rely on their mental prowess to cast complex spells.

Wisdom indicates your character’s perception, intuition, and empathy. Characters with high Wisdom can grasp the intentions of others and have heightened awareness of their surroundings. This ability score is significant for clerics and druids, who draw on their deep connection with nature and divine forces.

Charisma exemplifies your character’s personality, charm, and persuasiveness. Characters with high Charisma scores use their wit and charm to inspire others and bend them to their will. Bards and warlocks harness their Charisma to cast spells, while paladins and sorcerers find their divine and arcane powers are fueled by their forceful personalities.

Remember that each class has its key ability scores, so ensure you prioritise those scores when creating your character.

By having a solid grasp of the importance of these ability scores, you can shape the perfect character to suit your playstyle and contribute effectively to your adventuring party.

Suggested Standard Array 5e for Each Class

As you create your D&D 5th edition character, you might want some guidance on how to allocate your standard array of ability scores.
The scheme below goes through each class to show you what’s the best standard array 5e points allocation in order to start your journey with an optimized character.

To become the king of support by mixing your knowledge in Magic and Tools, your Artificer character you should focus on Intelligence first, followed by Constitution and Dexterity.

• Strength: 10
• Dexterity: 13
• Constitution: 14
• Intelligence: 15
• Wisdom: 12
• Charisma: 8

As a Barbarian, you’ll want a high Strength score and a good Constitution to withstand the brutalities of combat.

• Strength: 15
• Dexterity: 13
• Constitution: 14
• Intelligence: 10
• Wisdom: 12
• Charisma: 8

Since you’ll be inspiring your allies and weaving magic through your performances, you should prioritize Charisma, followed by Consitution or Dexterity depending on which Bard subclass you’ll be playing.

• Strength: 8
• Dexterity: 14
• Constitution: 12
• Intelligence: 13
• Wisdom: 10
• Charisma: 15

As a divine caster and healer, you need a high Wisdom score. Also, consider your Constitution and Strength scores, as you may act as a frontline combatant in some circumstances.

• Strength: 13
• Dexterity: 10
• Constitution: 14
• Intelligence: 12
• Wisdom: 15
• Charisma: 8

Druids rely on Wisdom for spellcasting and can transform into various creatures, so prioritise this attribute. Also, focus on Constitution for added resilience.

• Strength: 10
• Dexterity: 12
• Constitution: 14
• Intelligence: 13
• Wisdom: 15
• Charisma: 8

As a Fighter, you’ll need high Strength or Dexterity, depending on whether you go for a melee or ranged build. Constitution is essential for your survivability.

• Strength (or Dexterity): 15
• Dexterity (or Strength): 8
• Constitution: 14
• Intelligence: 13
• Wisdom: 12
• Charisma: 10

Monks benefit from both Dexterity and Wisdom to enhance their abilities. Additionally, invest in Constitution for added durability.

• Strength: 8
• Dexterity: 15
• Constitution: 13
• Intelligence: 12
• Wisdom: 14
• Charisma: 10

Paladins rely on Strength for powerful smites and Charisma for divine spells and auras. Additionally, the Constitution helps with staying power in combat.

• Strength: 15
• Dexterity: 8
• Constitution: 13
• Intelligence: 10
• Wisdom: 12
• Charisma: 14

As a skilled tracker and archer, focus on Dexterity and Wisdom. Constitution also plays a vital role in your survivability.

• Strength: 8
• Dexterity: 15
• Constitution: 13
• Intelligence: 12
• Wisdom: 14
• Charisma: 10

Dexterity is crucial for a Rogue, as it determines your stealth, evasion, and precision in combat. Intelligence is also valuable, as it grants additional utility and expertise.

• Strength: 8
• Dexterity: 15
• Constitution: 13
• Intelligence: 14
• Wisdom: 12
• Charisma: 10

Your innate magic comes from your Charisma score, so make that your highest attribute. Constitution helps maintain concentration on spells and staying power in battle.

• Strength: 8
• Constitution: 14
• Dexterity: 13
• Intelligence: 12
• Wisdom: 10
• Charisma: 15

As a Warlock, you draw your power from a pact with a supernatural being, which requires a high Charisma score. Don’t forget to invest in Constitution for sustained spellcasting.

• Strength: 8
• Constitution: 14
• Dexterity: 13
• Intelligence: 12
• Wisdom: 10
• Charisma: 15

Intelligence is the key to success as a Wizard since it determines both the power and the variety of your spells. Additionally, prioritise Constitution to keep yourself alive.

• Strength: 8
• Constitution: 14
• Dexterity: 13
• Intelligence: 15
• Wisdom: 12
• Charisma: 10

Remember that these are just suggestions, and you can always tailor them to fit your character’s background, personality, and playstyle.

Character’s subclass will play a huge role in deciding which points are prioritised over the others.

Standard Array Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Balance & Fairness: the standard array 5e ensures that all characters have a fair opportunity during gameplay. Everyone starts with the same range of ability scores, which creates a level playing field among the players.
2. Ease of Use: the standard array simplifies the character creation process for new players. With predetermined scores, you can quickly assign values and focus on exploring other character features. The first time creating a character in D&D can be quite overwhelming, so having a fixed set of values helps to ease this aspect of character creation.
3. Avoids Min-Maxing: the standard array helps prevent min-maxing, a strategy where players prioritise one ability at the expense of others. By using set values, it encourages more well-rounded characters and reduces power-gaming.

Cons:

1. Limited Customisation: while the standard array provides simplicity, it may feel restricting for experienced players who desire greater personalisation. You might find the preset scores limiting when trying to reflect your character’s unique story or personality.
2. Limited High Scores: this method offers a single high score of 15. For players who prefer having multiple high scores, or levels above 15, this system may not suit to their playstyle.
3. Not Ideal for Varied Races: some races in D&D 5e have bonuses and penalties to particular ability scores, making it challenging to fully optimise the standard array for your character. If you’re playing a race with diverse stat bonuses, a customised point buy system may be more suitable.

Alternatives to Standard Array 5e

If you’re looking for ways to customise your character’s ability scores in D&D beyond the standard array, there are a few alternatives that can offer more flexibility.

Point Buy System: the point buy method allows you to allocate points to your ability scores, granting greater control over your character’s strengths and weaknesses. Each score starts at 8, and you have 27 points to distribute among them.
The higher the ability score, the more points it costs, as shown in the table below:

Keep in mind that no ability score can be raised above 15 or below 8 using this method, and racial ability score increases still apply after distributing points.

Rolling Dice: rolling for ability scores is a classic method, adding randomness and excitement to character creation.
To get your scores, roll 4 six-sided dice (4d6) and discard the lowest die. Add the remaining three values together, yielding a number between 3 and 18. Repeat this process six times to generate your six ability scores.
Assign these values to your abilities however you like, again taking into account racial ability score increases.

Custom Array: if your Dungeon Master allows it, you can create your own custom array, consisting of six numbers that balance well within the game. Make sure to consult your DM to ensure fairness, and remember that no ability score should exceed 15 or be less than 8 before applying racial ability score increases. This method can lead to unique characters tailored to the campaign’s needs.

By exploring these alternatives to the standard array, you can add more personalisation and fun to your character creation process, ensuring your character is memorable and enjoyable to play.