D&D 5e Point Buy Calculator
Allocate your ability scores using the official D&D 5e point buy system. Start with 8 in each ability and spend your 27 points wisely.
How to Use the Point Buy Calculator
Start with Base Scores
Every ability begins at 8. You have 27 points to distribute among your six abilities.
Allocate Points
Use the + and - buttons or sliders to adjust scores. Each point from 8-13 costs 1, while 14-15 cost 2 points each.
Apply Bonuses (Optional)
Toggle racial bonuses to see final scores. Choose one ability for +2 and another for +1.
Export Your Build
Copy to clipboard or download as a text file to save your character build for later use.
Master D&D 5e Character Creation with Point Buy
The point buy system in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition offers the most balanced approach to character creation, giving you complete control over your character's abilities while maintaining fairness across all players. Unlike rolling dice or using the standard array, point buy ensures every character starts with equivalent potential.
Understanding the Point Buy System
Point buy starts every character with 8 in each ability score, representing below-average capabilities that you'll improve by spending points. With your pool of 27 points, you can raise any ability to a maximum of 15 before applying racial bonuses. The cost structure reflects the increasing difficulty of achieving exceptional abilities:
- Scores 8-13: Each increase costs 1 point
- Scores 14-15: Each increase costs 2 points
This progression means raising Strength from 8 to 13 costs 5 points, but going from 13 to 15 costs an additional 4 points (2 + 2). This system encourages specialization while preventing any single ability from dominating your build.
Strategic Considerations for Point Buy
Effective point buy requires understanding your class's primary and secondary abilities. Fighters need Strength or Dexterity for attacks, Constitution for survivability, and may want Wisdom for Perception. Wizards prioritize Intelligence for spellcasting, Dexterity for AC and initiative, and Constitution for hit points.
Most optimized builds follow a pattern: maximize your primary ability (15), set your secondary ability high (14), ensure adequate Constitution (13-14), and distribute remaining points based on your character concept. Remember that racial bonuses apply after point buy, potentially bringing abilities to 17 at first level.
Common Point Buy Arrays
Several standard arrays have proven effective across different classes and playstyles. The "15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8" spread uses all 27 points efficiently, providing strong primary and secondary abilities while maintaining decent tertiary scores. More specialized builds might use "15, 15, 13, 8, 8, 8" for dual-focused characters or "15, 14, 14, 10, 10, 8" for well-rounded versatility.
Modifiers and Their Impact
Understanding ability modifiers helps you make informed point buy decisions. Each even ability score provides a new modifier level: 8-9 gives -1, 10-11 gives +0, 12-13 gives +1, 14-15 gives +2, and so on. Since most game mechanics use modifiers rather than raw scores, focus on reaching even numbers when possible, especially 14 for that crucial +2 modifier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go below 8 or above 15 in point buy?
No, the point buy system limits scores to 8-15 before racial bonuses. After applying racial modifiers, scores can reach 17 at character creation.
How much does it cost to raise an ability from 8 to 15?
Raising from 8 to 15 costs 9 points total: 5 points for 8→13 (1 each) and 4 points for 13→15 (2 each).
Should I always maximize my primary ability?
Usually yes, since your primary ability affects your most important actions. However, some builds benefit from spreading points more evenly.
What's the best point buy array?
It depends on your class and playstyle. Most characters benefit from 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 as a balanced starting point.
Do racial bonuses count toward the 15 limit?
No, racial bonuses apply after point buy. You can have 15 in an ability, then add +2 from your race for a total of 17.