Subraces must be chosen for a race. Variants are considered optional. Currently Half-Elves, Humans, Orcs, and Tieflings have optional racial Variants. Other races that have no Subrace or Variant include Aarakocra, Bugbear, Centaur, Changeling, Dragonborn, Firbolg, Goblin, Goliath, Grung, Half-Orc, Hobgoblin, Kalashtar, Kenku, Kobold, Leonin, Lizardfolk, Locathah, Loxodon, Minotaur, Orc, Satyr, Simic Hybrid, Tabaxi, Tortle, Triton, Vedalken, Warforged, and Yuan-Ti Pureblood.
Ask
Always ask your DM first before picking a race, especially a non-standard race or subrace. Some races, a Loxodon as an example, require the character to come from a different world setting than the traditional Forgotten Realms.
Custom Rules
Your DM may use House Rules regarding the Point Buy system. Adjust the numbers below to meet those rules.
Available Points
Maximum Purchasable Attribute Before Bonuses
Minimum Purchasable Attribute Before Bonuses
Adjust Point Costs
18 :
17 :
16 :
15 :
14 :
13 :
12 :
11 :
10 :
9 :
8 :
7 :
6 :
5 :
4 :
3 :
Calculator
Select Race:
Ability Score #1:
Ability Score #2:
Attribute
Ability Score
Racial Bonus
Total Score
Ability Modifier
Point Cost
Strength
+
0
=
12
1
4
Dexterity
+
2
=
10
0
0
Constitution
+
0
=
8
-1
0
Intelligence
+
0
=
8
-1
0
Wisdom
+
1
=
9
-1
0
Charisma
+
0
=
13
1
5
Total Points
9/27
Racial Traits
Ability Score Increase
Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Age
Aarakocra reach maturity by age 3. Compared to humans, aarakocra don’t usually live longer than 30 years.
Alignment
Most aarakocra are good and rarely choose sides when it comes to law and chaos. Tribal leaders and warriors might be lawful, while explorers and adventurers might tend toward chaotic.
Size
Aarakocra are about 5 feet tall. They have thin, lightweight bodies that weigh between 80 and 100 pounds. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Flight
You have a flying speed of 50 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor.
Talons
You are proficient with your unarmed strikes, which deal 1d4 slashing damage on a hit.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common, Aarakocra, and Auran.
What is DnD Point Buy?
The DnD Point Buy system is a method used to generate a character’s ability scores in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e). Instead of rolling dice to determine these scores, players are given a set number of points to distribute among their six ability scores: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. Here’s an overview of how it works:
Starting Points: Players typically start with 27 points to allocate to their ability scores. This pool of points allows for a balanced approach to character creation, giving players more control over their character’s strengths and weaknesses.
Base Scores: Each ability score begins at a base value of 8. Players use their points to increase these scores according to a specific cost structure.
Cost Structure: Increasing an ability score costs a certain number of points, and the cost increases as the score gets higher:
Increasing a score from 8 to 13 costs 1 point per increment.
Increasing from 13 to 14 costs 2 points.
Increasing from 14 to 15 costs 2 points.
Scores above 15 cannot be bought using the standard Point Buy system.
Racial Modifiers: After allocating points, players then apply racial modifiers based on their character’s race. These modifiers can increase certain ability scores, reflecting the inherent strengths of different races.
Final Ability Scores: The resulting scores after applying points and racial modifiers become the character’s final ability scores, which are used to determine various in-game statistics such as attack bonuses, skill checks, saving throws, and more.
Flexibility and Balance: The Point Buy system allows for a high degree of customization, ensuring characters are both unique and balanced. It prevents overly powerful characters by capping the maximum purchasable scores and ensures all characters start on an even footing.
Overall, the DnD Point Buy system offers a structured and fair way to create characters, giving players the freedom to build the character they envision while maintaining game balance.
Steps to Use the 5e Point Buy Calculator
Let’s make an Acrobatics check and jump right into how the Point Buy Calculator for 5e works.
Enter Base Ability Scores: Begin by inputting your base ability scores. These are the initial scores you will spend your points on. The calculator will display your total point expenditure below the ability score fields, allowing you to track your spending as you go.
Select Your Character’s Race: Choose your character’s race from the available options. Different races provide specific bonuses to certain ability scores. If your character’s race is not listed, you can select “Other” and manually enter the racial bonuses.
Assign Racial Bonuses: Some races offer flexible +1 bonuses that can be assigned to any ability score. Ensure you allocate these bonuses to the desired scores to optimize your character’s abilities.
Review Final Scores: The calculator provides a summary table at the bottom, displaying your character’s final ability scores and their corresponding modifiers. This allows you to see the complete picture of your character’s abilities.
Understanding Ability Modifiers: Remember that an ability modifier is determined by the ability score and is used in skill checks and other rolls. For instance, an Intelligence score of 15 results in a +2 modifier, which is added to Intelligence-based skill checks like Arcana.
Customize for House Rules: If you wish to tailor the Point Buy system to fit your group’s house rules, enter the calculator’s Advanced mode. Here, you can:
Adjust the total points available from the default of 27.
Modify the minimum and maximum purchasable ability scores from the standard range of 8 to 15.
Change the point costs associated with each score.
Using the Point Buy Calculator ensures a balanced and efficient character creation process, letting you focus on building a character that perfectly fits your envisioned role in your D&D campaign.
Point Buy System Cost Table
Ability Score
Point Cost
8
0
9
1
10
2
11
3
12
4
13
5
14
7
15
9
How to Use the Table?
Starting Points: You begin with 27 points to allocate to your six ability scores: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma.
Base Scores: Each ability score starts at 8. Use the points to increase these scores according to the point costs listed in the table above.
Calculating Costs:
If you want to increase an ability score from 8 to 10, it will cost 2 points (8 to 9 = 1 point, 9 to 10 = 1 point).
To raise a score from 8 to 14, it will cost 7 points (8 to 13 = 5 points, 13 to 14 = 2 points).
Racial Modifiers: After allocating your points, apply any racial bonuses provided by your character’s race to your ability scores.
Final Ability Scores: Sum the allocated points and racial modifiers to get your character’s final ability scores.
