How 4d6 drop lowest works
For each of the six abilities, roll four d6, set the lowest aside and add the other three. Dropping one die pulls the average up from 10.5 (plain 3d6) to about 12.24, and makes a very low score rare: an 8 or lower comes up about one time in ten.
| Score | Modifier |
|---|---|
| 8–9 | −1 |
| 10–11 | +0 |
| 12–13 | +1 |
| 14–15 | +2 |
| 16–17 | +3 |
| 18 | +4 |
The other ways
- 3d6, in order: the oldest method. Roll 3d6 6 times and take the scores in order, Strength first. Average 10.5, and a 15 or better only 9.3% of the time. The 3d6 roller does one score at a time.
- Standard array: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8, placed where you like. Everyone at the table ends up equal.
- Point buy: 27 points to spend, every score starting at 8 and none above 15 before bonuses.
Rolling is the most fun and the least fair. Some groups let everyone roll and then all pick the same set, which keeps the drama and loses the envy.
Reroll 1s
A common house rule: reroll any die that shows a 1, then drop the lowest as usual. It lifts the average score from 12.24 to 13.43, and a 15 or better from 23.1% to 35.2% of scores. This roller plays the rules as written; reroll 1s by hand if your table uses it.
After you roll
Put your scores straight onto a free character sheet and carry on building the character.