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 two ways
- 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.
After you roll
Put your scores straight onto a free character sheet and carry on building the character.