An ability modifier is the bonus or penalty associated with a particular ability score. Ability modifiers apply to die rolls for character actions involving the corresponding abilities -- such as attack rolls, saving throws and skills. The modifier is also used with some numbers that aren't die rolls. A positive modifier is called a bonus, and a negative modifier is called a penalty.
The modifier is equal to +1 for every 2 points above 10 in that ability score (or -1 for every 2 full points below 11). For example, constitution 14 provides +2 hit points per level. Strength will apply a 50 percent bonus (rounded down, if there is a bonus) to the damage modifier when wielding a weapon two-handed, or the combined bonus when dual-wielding (again, rounded down). See also Combat Insight.
Be aware NWN2 has a hardcoded ability score cap of 50 (+20 modifier). Any score above 50 will not work properly and will, in most cases, be treated as a score of 50.
In addition, ability scores determine the number of bonus spells for spellcasters. The ability those spells relate to depends on the type of spellcaster:
- Intelligence for wizards
- Wisdom for clerics, druids, paladins, rangers, and spirit shamans
- Charisma for sorcerers, bards, and favored souls.
Spellcasters must have a 10 or higher in the appropriate ability score to cast any spells. In addition to the ability score required for bonus spells, a spellcaster must be capable of casting spells at a given spell level in order to utilize bonus spells for that given spell level.
Ability Modifier and Bonus Spells[]
Score | Modifier | Bonus spell slots by spell level | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
3 | -4 | cannot cast spells tied to this ability | ||||||||
4-5 | -3 | |||||||||
6-7 | -2 | |||||||||
8-9 | -1 | |||||||||
10-11 | 0 | - | cannot cast these spell levels | |||||||
12-13 | +1 | 1 | - | - | ||||||
14-15 | +2 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | ||||
16-17 | +3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | ||
18-19 | +4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - |
20-21 | +5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
22-23 | +6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - |
24-25 | +7 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - |
26-27 | +8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - |
28-29 | +9 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
30-31 | +10 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
32-33 | +11 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
34-35 | +12 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
36-37 | +13 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
38-39 | +14 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
40-41 | +15 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
42-43 | +16 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
44-45 | +17 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
46-47 | +18 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
48-49 | +19 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
50-51 | +20 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
52 | +21 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Formula[]
bonus = (ability – (spellLevel + 1) * 2) / 8
- Division is rounded down, to 0 minimum.
- 0-level spells receive no bonuses.
- If ability is less than 10+spellLevel, no spells of that level can be cast.
- Ability should be 0 or greater.
- SpellLevel should be between 1 and 9.
modifier = ability / 2 – 5 modifier = (ability – 10) / 2
- Division is rounded down.
- Ability should be 0 or greater.
See also[]
- Ability score loss
- Ability damage
- Ability cap