How to Use the DnD Standard Array in 2024
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Creating a new character in Dungeons & Dragons is one of the most enjoyable parts of the game, with a blank DnD character sheet offering limitless potential for creativity and adventure. The beating heart of any character, however, is their ability scores of Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma. And while there are various methods for generating these scores, one of the most popular is the DnD Standard Array.
With a new 2024 Player’s Handbook now upon us, using the Standard Array has become more important than ever, with a number of new mechanics impacting the overall process of how to make a DnD character. So just what is a Standard Array and how do you use it with the new 2024 DnD 5e rules? Below, we break out all the details.
Table of Contents
- What is the DnD standard array?
- How to use the DnD standard array in 2024
- Best Standard Array Per Class in DnD 2024
- Alternatives to the DnD Standard Array
- Final thoughts on the Standard Array
What is the DnD Standard Array?
The Standard Array is one of the methods in DnD 5e for determining your character’s ability scores. Unlike random dice rolls or using a point buy system, the Standard Array provides a fixed set of numbers which you then allocate to your character’s abilities. Over the years, this method has become incredibly popular among players due to its simplicity and fairness, as it eliminates randomness (which can be resulted in overly powerful or weak characters) and ensures that all players start on equal footing.
The standard array consists of the following numbers: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, and 8.
You assign these numbers your character’s Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma in any order and any combination you wish, with just few minor caveats that we’ll discuss below.
How to Use the DnD Standard Array in 2024
While the Standard Array has been around for decades, there are a few things to be aware of when using this method with the new 2024 Player’s Handbook. Below is a step-by-step guide for using the DnD Standard Array system within the new 2024 DnD Core Rules.
- Step 1: Note the Numbers: You have six numbers to work with: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, and 8. This selection is based on statistical averages and represents a balanced character that’s neither too strong nor too weak.
- Step 2: Assign Numbers to Abilities: Apply the Standard Array numbers to your Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma. You can assign them in any order you wish and to any score. When doing this, consider what abilities are most important and which of the DnD classes you plan on playing.
- Step 3: Apply Background Bonuses: After assigning the standard array scores, apply any bonuses that come from the 2024 DnD backgrounds. Each background has a list of three ability scores to choose from. You can increase one score by 2 points and another by 1, or you can increase all three scores by 1. For example, the Wayfarer background allows you to increase your Dexterity, Wisdom or Charisma scores. NOTE: This is a change from the 2014 rules, in which ability score bonuses were provided by DnD races.
- Step 4: Calculate Modifiers: With your final ability scores determined, calculate your ability modifiers and note them on your character sheet. These modifiers affect your character’s proficiency with skills, saving throws and attack rolls. For example, an 18 Strength grants a +4 modifier.
- Step 5: Finalize Your Character: With your ability scores, modifiers and background bonuses established, complete the rest of your character’s details, including skills, equipment, name and other information.
Best Standard Array Per Class in DnD 2024
While you can assign your ability scores from the Standard Array in any order your wish, if you want to maximum the effectiveness of your character there are allocations that are more effective than others. Below is a breakdown of the best Standard Array option for each class in DnD 5e (bearing in mind how they function in the new 2024 rules). Note that this is a general guideline and you may want to play with these numbers if you have a particular character build or subclass in mind.
Best Barbarian Standard Array
The DnD 5e Barbarian relies heavily on Strength for melee combat and Constitution for survivability. Dexterity and Wisdom can be secondary considerations depending on the specific build you’re going for and the character’s role within your party.
- Strength: 15
- Constitution: 14
- Dexterity: 13
- Wisdom: 12
- Charisma: 10
- Intelligence: 8
Best Bard Standard Array
The DnD 5e Bard is reliant on Charisma as it impacts your spellcasting ability as well as your core class features. You should then pump a high score into Dexterity to improve your Armor Class and initiative. Finally, choosing a relatively high Constitution is important for overall durability.
- Charisma: 15
- Dexterity: 14
- Constitution: 13
- Intelligence: 12
- Wisdom: 10
- Strength: 8
Best Cleric Standard Array
The DnD 5e Cleric relies primarily on Wisdom and spellcasting and class abilities. In a typical build you should then choose Constitution to enhance survivability. However, if you’re looking to create a more combat-focused Cleric you may want to consider choosing Strength as your second highest stat using the Standard Array.
- Wisdom: 15
- Constitution: 14
- Strength: 13
- Dexterity: 12
- Charisma: 10
- Intelligence: 8
Best Druid Standard Array
The DnD 5e Druid is heavily reliant on Wisdom for spellcasting and for tapping into some of the features of your Wild Shape. In the Standard Array, Constitution would be the next most important ability score as it provides much needed durability in combat.
- Wisdom: 15
- Constitution: 14
- Dexterity: 13
- Intelligence: 12
- Strength: 10
- Charisma: 8
Best Fighter Standard Array
The DnD 5e Fighter should choose Strength as the highest ability score if you’re planning on focusing on melee weapons. If, however, you’re going for more of a ranged weapon focus you should choose Dexterity. Your next-highest score should be Constitution (although you may want to go with Intelligence if you plan to go with the new Eldritch Knight subclass).
- Strength: 15
- Constitution: 14
- Dexterity: 13
- Wisdom: 12
- Charisma: 10
- Intelligence: 8
Best Monk Standard Array
The DnD 5e Monk relies heavily on Dexterity to fuel unarmed strikes and tap into their innate class abilities. Wisdom should be the next highest score as it’s essential to a number of class features and the use of new Focus Points (which replaces the Ki Points used in the 2014 version of DnD 5e).
- Dexterity: 15
- Wisdom: 14
- Constitution: 13
- Strength: 12
- Charisma: 10
- Intelligence: 8
Best Paladin Standard Array
The DnD 5e Paladin is typically a front line combatant, which is why you shold put the highest Standard Array score into Strength. You should then put the second highest score into Charisma as this is essential for spellcasting and for use with a variety of class features.
- Strength: 15
- Charisma: 14
- Constitution: 13
- Dexterity: 12
- Wisdom: 10
- Intelligence: 8
Best Ranger Standard Array
The DnD 5e Ranger benefits the most from having a high Dexterity, which is particularly useful for combat (although if you are planning on focusing on two-weapon fighting via Weapon Mastery, you may want to go with a higher Strength). Wisdom should be the second highest using the Standard Array as it is essential for spellcasting and survival skills.
- Dexterity: 15
- Wisdom: 14
- Constitution: 13
- Strength: 12
- Charisma: 10
- Intelligence: 8
Rogue Standard Array
The DnD 5e Rogue performs best with a high Dexterity, which is crucial for stealth, attack rolls and defense. Choose Charisma as your second highest if you plan to emphasize deception and social interaction. If, however, you plan to focus on Investigation (or use the Arcane Trickster subclass) you may want make Intelligence your second highest.
- Dexterity: 15
- Charisma: 14
- Constitution: 13
- Intelligence: 12
- Wisdom: 10
- Strength: 8
Best Sorcerer Standard Array
The DnD 5e Sorcerer should have as high of a Charisma as possible, as this ability score is essential for spellcasting. The second highest score using the Standard Array should go to your Constitution, as Sorcerer’s tend to be particularly vulnerable in combat.
- Charisma: 15
- Constitution: 14
- Dexterity: 13
- Intelligence: 12
- Wisdom: 10
- Strength: 8
Best Warlock Standard Array
The DnD 5e Warlock is similar to Sorcerers in that they also rely on Charisma for their spellcasting abilities, making it the most important ability score using the standard array. Constitution should be a Warlock’s next highest ability to help provide much needed hit points to augment their relatively low Hit Dice.
- Charisma: 15
- Constitution: 14
- Dexterity: 13
- Wisdom: 12
- Intelligence: 10
- Strength: 8
Best Wizard Standard Array
The DnD 5e Wizard should have a high Intelligence, followed by Constitution (although you may also want to take an increase in Dexterity which provides an added bump to your Armor Class).
- Intelligence: 15
- Constitution: 14
- Dexterity: 13
- Wisdom: 12
- Charisma: 10
- Strength: 8
Alternatives to the Standard Array
While the Standard Array is the most popular method my determine a character’s ability scores, in the 2024 DnD rules, Wizards of the Coast also recommends two other optoins:
- Point Buy System: The point buy system allows you to allocate 27 points to your ability scores Each score starts at 8 and increases in cost as scores rise, giving you control over their character’s strengths and weaknesses. This method ensures fairness and customization but caps maximum scores before any background bonuses.
- Random Rolling: Random rolling involves rolling four six-sided dice (4d6) for each ability score, discarding the lowest roll, and totalling the remaining three. This method introduces an element of chance and can lead to varied results, offering a sense of unpredictability and excitement. However, it can also result in imbalanced scores and less control over final attributes.
Final Thoughts
While you can choose any method you’d like to determine your character’s ability scores in DnD 5e, the Standard Array provides a balanced and straightforward approach, allowing you to focus character concept and role-playing without relying on more complicated point buy systems or potentially unbalanced random dice rolls. By also understanding how to best allocate the Standard array for each class, you can optimize your character’s abilities and enhance your overall gameplay experience. It’s a simple and effective way to get past the numbers and straight into the fun.
You can find more information on creating a DnD 5e character in the 2024 Player’s Handbook, which is available now on D&D Beyond and Amazon.
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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).
