Ability Score increase every fourth level question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Ability Score increase every fourth level question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Jamesmay1983
07-03-07, 01:58 PM Hello,

I am relatively new to the game and I have a question related to the one point added to an ability score every fourth level. If I add an ability point to an ability, would it increase my ability modifer? Ex. If I added a point to strength and it would cause the base score to go from 14 to 15, would I gain an additional point on my strength modifer?

Thanks.
ArcTan
07-03-07, 02:00 PM No. You gain an extra point on your Str *modifier* every time your Str *score* goes up by 2.

Your modifier in an ability score is your score - 10, divided by 2, rounded down. So Str 14 gives you a +2 Str modifier; Str 15 maintains it.
Jamesmay1983
07-03-07, 02:04 PM So it is possible to increase my ability modifers as long as my stats go up to the right base score to do so?

Thanks.
Nihzlet
07-03-07, 02:05 PM yes. if you increase your STR from 14 to 15, your modifier is still +2. if you later increase it again, from 15 to 16, the modifier goes up to +3(16 - 10 = 6, 6 / 2 = 3).
Jamesmay1983
07-03-07, 02:16 PM Thanks a lot for your help!
Escef
07-03-07, 06:13 PM Your modifier in an ability score is your score - 10, divided by 2, rounded down. So Str 14 gives you a +2 Str modifier; Str 15 maintains it.

Round up if the result is negative.
zzo38
07-03-07, 06:24 PM Round up if the result is negative.

Actually you round the result towards negative infinity. So if score is 9 then it is (x-10)/2 = -1/2 = round down towards negative infinity makes -1 in total
Ash2Dust
07-03-07, 07:56 PM What all this math gets at, and a much easier way to remember it:

Your modifier goes up when your score reaches an even number.
Mighty_Draco
07-03-07, 09:30 PM Round up if the result is negative.

no, always round down.

For example, let's say you have a score of 9

9 - 10 = -1

-1 / 2 = -0.5

Rounded down to a modifier of -1

Check the chart in the PHB if you don't believe me.
Escef
07-04-07, 01:26 PM no, always round down.

For example, let's say you have a score of 9

9 - 10 = -1

-1 / 2 = -0.5

Rounded down to a modifier of -1

Check the chart in the PHB if you don't believe me.

I brain farted, I was thinking "up" meaning to a whole number, I wasn't thinking "down" to mean further negative. Honestly, I just use SCORE(1/2), round down, subtract 5. Same result, slightly different means.
Fitz10019
07-06-07, 12:13 PM Note to the OP: Changing from Str 14 to 15, your modifier is still 2, but your carrying capacity does increase.
Stormonu
07-06-07, 06:44 PM Also, for Con and Int increases, you don't get retroactive hp's or skill points for previous levels.
Escef
07-06-07, 07:00 PM Also, for Con and Int increases, you don't get retroactive hp's or skill points for previous levels.

Hps from Con ARE retroactive. Skill points are not.
jaelis
07-06-07, 10:14 PM Hps from Con ARE retroactive. Skill points are not.

That is indeed correct.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Jamesmay1983 07-03-07, 01:58 PM	Hello, I am relatively new to the game and I have a question related to the one point added to an ability score every fourth level. If I add an ability point to an ability, would it increase my ability modifer? Ex. If I added a point to strength and it would cause the base score to go from 14 to 15, would I gain an additional point on my strength modifer? Thanks.
ArcTan 07-03-07, 02:00 PM	No. You gain an extra point on your Str modifier every time your Str score goes up by 2. Your modifier in an ability score is your score - 10, divided by 2, rounded down. So Str 14 gives you a +2 Str modifier; Str 15 maintains it.
Jamesmay1983 07-03-07, 02:04 PM	So it is possible to increase my ability modifers as long as my stats go up to the right base score to do so? Thanks.
Nihzlet 07-03-07, 02:05 PM	yes. if you increase your STR from 14 to 15, your modifier is still +2. if you later increase it again, from 15 to 16, the modifier goes up to +3(16 - 10 = 6, 6 / 2 = 3).
Jamesmay1983 07-03-07, 02:16 PM	Thanks a lot for your help!
Escef 07-03-07, 06:13 PM	Your modifier in an ability score is your score - 10, divided by 2, rounded down. So Str 14 gives you a +2 Str modifier; Str 15 maintains it. Round up if the result is negative.
zzo38 07-03-07, 06:24 PM	Round up if the result is negative. Actually you round the result towards negative infinity. So if score is 9 then it is (x-10)/2 = -1/2 = round down towards negative infinity makes -1 in total
Ash2Dust 07-03-07, 07:56 PM	What all this math gets at, and a much easier way to remember it: Your modifier goes up when your score reaches an even number.
Mighty_Draco 07-03-07, 09:30 PM	Round up if the result is negative. no, always round down. For example, let's say you have a score of 9 9 - 10 = -1 -1 / 2 = -0.5 Rounded down to a modifier of -1 Check the chart in the PHB if you don't believe me.
Escef 07-04-07, 01:26 PM	no, always round down. For example, let's say you have a score of 9 9 - 10 = -1 -1 / 2 = -0.5 Rounded down to a modifier of -1 Check the chart in the PHB if you don't believe me. I brain farted, I was thinking "up" meaning to a whole number, I wasn't thinking "down" to mean further negative. Honestly, I just use SCORE(1/2), round down, subtract 5. Same result, slightly different means.
Fitz10019 07-06-07, 12:13 PM	Note to the OP: Changing from Str 14 to 15, your modifier is still 2, but your carrying capacity does increase.
Stormonu 07-06-07, 06:44 PM	Also, for Con and Int increases, you don't get retroactive hp's or skill points for previous levels.
Escef 07-06-07, 07:00 PM	Also, for Con and Int increases, you don't get retroactive hp's or skill points for previous levels. Hps from Con ARE retroactive. Skill points are not.
jaelis 07-06-07, 10:14 PM	Hps from Con ARE retroactive. Skill points are not. That is indeed correct.