Attribute Basics

Pathfinder uses six core attribute scores (also called ability scores) that define your character's fundamental capabilities:

• Strength (STR): Measures physical power and carrying capacity; governs melee attacks, carrying capacity, and athletic feats.
• Dexterity (DEX): Measures agility, reflexes, and balance; governs ranged attacks, AC (with light armor), reflex saves, and stealth.
• Constitution (CON): Measures health and vitality; governs hit points, endurance, and fortitude saves.
• Intelligence (INT): Measures reasoning, memory, and learning; governs the number of trained skills, knowledge-based skills, and spellcasting.
• Wisdom (WIS): Measures insight, and judgment; governs perception, will saves, and divine/primal spellcasting.
• Charisma (CHA): Measures force of personality and leadership; governs social interactions and occult spellcasting.

Score vs. Modifier

Every attribute has two numbers associated with it: a score and a corresponding modifier that is used in rolls and calculations. The score is a number set at character creation (which can go higher as you level up). The modifier is calculated as (Score - 10) / 2, rounded down. For example, a score of 16 gives a +3 modifier, while a score of 8 gives a -1 modifier. The modifier is what you actually add to dice rolls when making attacks, saving throws, skill checks, and other actions. Higher scores provide better modifiers, which can significantly improve your character's performance in various aspects of the game.

Attributes at Character Creation

When creating your character, you will allocate points to boost these attributes based on your choice of ancestry, background, and class. Each boost raises a score by +2, unless it is already 18 or higher, in which case it only increases by +1. Each class has a key attribute that is particularly important for its abilities and performance, so you will want to prioritize boosting that attribute early on. For example, a Fighter would want to focus on Strength or Dexterity, while a Wizard would prioritize Intelligence.

• Your ancestry grants 2 set boosts and 1 free boost (and sometimes a flaw).
• Your background provides grants 2 boosts (one is often fixed, one is free).
• Your class offers 1 boost to your class's key attribute.
• You will also get 4 additional free boosts you can place in any attribute (no duplicates at this stage).

Leveling Up

At levels 5, 10, 15, and 20, you gain 4 free attribute boosts to distribute however you like. This means characters become well-rounded over time, though you'll always want to prioritize your key attribute early.

Quick Tips

• Start with your class first, which decides your key attribute. This is the most important score for your character, so keep your key attribute as high as possible.
• Don't neglect your CON. It affects your hit points at every level, which can catch up to you if ignored.
• Some ancestries come with an attribute flaw (a -2 penalty to a specific score). For example, Gnomes take a flaw to STR. This won't ruin your character, but if your ancestry flaw lands on your key attribute, be aware your score in that area will start lower and you'll need to compensate.
• When you apply your 4 free boosts at the end, each one must go to a different attribute. Plan ahead so you're not wasting boosts on scores that already got boosted earlier in the process.