Ability Scores
Epic path uses the standard array of ability scores: Strength (STR), Dexterity (DEX), Constitution (CON), Intelligence (INT), Wisdom (WIS) and Charisma (CHA). Each ability score is given an initial value during Character Creation, but can be raised, either temporarily or permanently, by character level, class abilities, feats, spells and spell effects, magic items, etc.
Ability scores are split into two categories: physical and mental, each of which has three of the ability scores:
- Physical: STR, DEX and CON
- Mental: INT, WIS and CHA
Temporary Ability Scores
Temporary adjustments to your ability scores are caused by any effect which has a duration, such as a spell effect, or an effect which isn't always active, such as the Alchemist's mutagen form, or a barbarian's rage.
In addition, for the first 24 hours of wearing a magic item which boosts ability scores, the ability score increase granted is treated as a temporary ability score. Once the character has attuned to the item (by wearing it for 24 hours) the ability score increase granted by the item is considered a permanent ability score.
Permanent Ability Scores
Permanent ability scores are pretty self-explanatory -- they're ability scores that don't wear off, have a limited duration, or are part of the character's innate ability scores. The value of a character's ability scores is usually the sum of their starting values, any increases they've gained from levels, feats or class abilities, and increases granted by magic items.
Some abilities and effects ignore temporary ability scores, and are based purely on permanent ability scores. It is therefore important to keep track of your permanent ability scores separately from your temporary scores.
Ability Modifiers
The ability modifier is the numerical advantage or disadvantage that an ability score provides to your character when that ability score is used to perform skills, saving throws, combat maneuvers, and other activities. It is calculated by subtracting 10 from the ability score, and then dividing the remainder by 2, dropping fractions. For example, the ability modifier for a Strength of 15 is +2 (15 - 10 = 5 / 2 = 2.5 rounded down to 2). In the entries below, each ability score details how its ability modifier is used. You can also refer to the table below for a listing of the modifier for each ability score value.
It is important to keep an eye out for abilities and rules which call for an ability score versus an ability modifier. Using an ability score is rare, but it does happen. For example: the starting hit points for a 1st level character uses a character's Constitution ability score, but all future levels' hit point increases use his Constitution ability modifier.
It is important to note that when an ability score is permanently increased to a higher ability modifier, the benefit of that modifier is retroactively applied for each character level. For example, if a character's Constitution score is raised from a 15 to a 16 permanently, raising his modifier from +2 to +3, he would gain 1 hit point for each character level he currently has, as if he had always had that extra Constitution each time he leveled. Similarly, if a character's Intelligence increased to a higher modifier, he would gain an additional skill point for each character level he currently has. Refer to the individual Ability Score entries below to see how increases impact the character's other attributes.
Bonus Spell Slots per Day
Spell-casting character classes may get bonus spells, extracts or poultices per day based on a high ability score in their primary spell casting stat. The spell casting classes and the primary casting stat for each is listed below:
Class Stat Alchemist INT Bard CHA Cleric WIS Druid WIS Paladin CHA Ranger WIS Sorcerer CHA Wizard INT
Refer to the table below to determine if your primary casting stat entitles you to bonus spells, extracts or poultices per day:
Table: Ability Modifiers and Bonus Spells
| Ability Score | Modifier | 0th | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | 16th | 17th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-7 | -2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 8-9 | -1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 10-11 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 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 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 32-33 | 11 | - | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 34-35 | 12 | - | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 36-37 | 13 | - | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| 38-39 | 14 | - | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - |
| 40-41 | 15 | - | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| 42-43 | 16 | - | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - |
| 44-45 | 17 | - | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 46-47 | 18 | - | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 48-49 | 19 | - | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 50-51 | 20 | - | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 52-53 | 21 | - | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 54-55 | 22 | - | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 56-57 | 23 | - | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 58-59 | 24 | - | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 60-61 | 25 | - | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Strength (STR)
- Used In
- When Temporarily Increased
- When Permanently Increased
- When Damaged or Drained
- When Reduced to Zero
Carrying Capacity and Encumbrance
| Score | Modifier | Light Load (lbs.) | Medium Load (lbs.) | Heavy Load (lbs.) | Max Drag (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - (no score) | - | - | - | - | - |
| 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | -5 | 0 - 3 | 4 - 6 | 7 - 10 | 50 |
| 2 | -4 | 0 - 6 | 7 - 13 | 14 - 20 | 100 |
| 3 | -4 | 0 - 10 | 11 - 20 | 21 - 30 | 150 |
| 4 | -3 | 0 - 13 | 14 - 26 | 27 - 40 | 200 |
| 5 | -3 | 0 - 16 | 17 - 33 | 34 - 50 | 250 |
| 6 | -2 | 0 - 20 | 21 - 40 | 41 - 60 | 300 |
| 7 | -2 | 0 - 23 | 24 - 46 | 47 - 70 | 350 |
| 8 | -1 | 0 - 26 | 27 - 53 | 54 - 80 | 400 |
| 9 | -1 | 0 - 30 | 31 - 60 | 61 - 90 | 450 |
| 10 | 0 | 0 - 33 | 34 - 66 | 67 - 100 | 500 |
| 11 | 0 | 0 - 38 | 39 - 76 | 77 - 115 | 575 |
| 12 | 1 | 0 - 43 | 44 - 86 | 87 - 130 | 650 |
| 13 | 1 | 0 - 50 | 51 - 100 | 101 - 150 | 750 |
| 14 | 2 | 0 - 58 | 59 - 116 | 117 - 175 | 875 |
| 15 | 2 | 0 - 66 | 67 - 133 | 134 - 200 | 1,000 |
| 16 | 3 | 0 - 76 | 77 - 153 | 154 - 230 | 1,150 |
| 17 | 3 | 0 - 86 | 87 - 173 | 174 - 260 | 1,300 |
| 18 | 4 | 0 - 100 | 101 - 200 | 201 - 300 | 1,500 |
| 19 | 4 | 0 - 116 | 117 - 233 | 234 - 350 | 1,750 |
| 20 | 5 | 0 - 133 | 134 - 266 | 267 - 400 | 2,000 |
| 21 | 5 | 0 - 153 | 154 - 306 | 307 - 460 | 2,300 |
| 22 | 6 | 0 - 173 | 174 - 346 | 347 - 520 | 2,600 |
| 23 | 6 | 0 - 200 | 201 - 400 | 401 - 600 | 3,000 |
| 24 | 7 | 0 - 233 | 234 - 466 | 467 - 700 | 3,500 |
| 25 | 7 | 0 - 266 | 267 - 533 | 534 - 800 | 4,000 |
| 26 | 8 | 0 - 306 | 307 - 613 | 614 - 920 | 4,600 |
| 27 | 8 | 0 - 346 | 347 - 693 | 694 - 1,040 | 5,200 |
| 28 | 9 | 0 - 400 | 401 - 800 | 801 - 1,200 | 6,000 |
| 29 | 9 | 0 - 466 | 467 - 933 | 934 - 1,400 | 7,000 |
| 30 | 10 | 0 - 532 | 533 - 1,066 | 1,067 - 1,600 | 8,000 |
| 31 | 10 | 0 - 612 | 613 - 1,224 | 1,225 - 1,840 | 9,200 |
| 32 | 11 | 0 - 692 | 693 - 1,384 | 1,385 - 2,080 | 10,400 |
| 33 | 11 | 0 - 800 | 801 - 1,600 | 1,601 - 2,400 | 12,000 |
| 34 | 12 | 0 - 932 | 933 - 1,864 | 1,865 - 2,800 | 14,000 |
| 35 | 12 | 0 - 1,064 | 1,065 - 2,132 | 2,133 - 3,200 | 16,000 |
| 36 | 13 | 0 - 1,224 | 1,225 - 2,452 | 2,453 - 3,680 | 18,400 |
| 37 | 13 | 0 - 1,384 | 1,385 - 2,772 | 2,773 - 4,160 | 20,800 |
| 38 | 14 | 0 - 1,600 | 1,601 - 3,200 | 3,201 - 4,800 | 24,000 |
| 39 | 14 | 0 - 1,864 | 1,865 - 3,732 | 3,733 - 5,600 | 28,000 |
| 40 | 15 | 0 - 2,128 | 2,129 - 4,264 | 4,265 - 6,400 | 32,000 |
| 41 | 15 | 0 - 2,448 | 2,449 - 4,896 | 4,897 - 7,360 | 36,800 |
| 42 | 16 | 0 - 2,768 | 2,769 - 5,536 | 5,537 - 8,320 | 41,600 |
| 43 | 16 | 0 - 3,200 | 3,201 - 6,400 | 6,401 - 9,600 | 48,000 |
| 44 | 17 | 0 - 3,728 | 3,729 - 7,456 | 7,457 - 11,200 | 56,000 |
| 45 | 17 | 0 - 4,256 | 4,257 - 8,528 | 8,529 - 12,800 | 64,000 |
| 46 | 18 | 0 - 4,896 | 4,897 - 9,808 | 9,809 - 14,720 | 73,600 |
| 47 | 18 | 0 - 5,536 | 5,537 - 11,088 | 11,089 - 16,640 | 83,200 |
| 48 | 19 | 0 - 6,400 | 6,401 - 12,800 | 12,801 - 19,200 | 96,000 |
| 49 | 19 | 0 - 7,456 | 7,457 - 14,928 | 14,929 - 22,400 | 112,000 |
| 50 | 20 | 0 - 8,512 | 8,513 - 17,056 | 17,057 - 25,600 | 128,000 |
| 51 | 20 | 0 - 9,792 | 9,793 - 19,584 | 19,585 - 29,440 | 147,200 |
| 52 | 21 | 0 - 11,072 | 11,073 - 22,144 | 22,145 - 33,280 | 166,400 |
| 53 | 21 | 0 - 12,800 | 12,801 - 25,600 | 25,601 - 38,400 | 192,000 |
| 54 | 22 | 0 - 14,912 | 14,913 - 29,824 | 29,825 - 44,800 | 224,000 |
| 55 | 22 | 0 - 17,024 | 17,025 - 34,112 | 34,113 - 51,200 | 256,000 |
| 56 | 23 | 0 - 19,584 | 19,585 - 39,232 | 39,233 - 58,880 | 294,400 |
| 57 | 23 | 0 - 22,144 | 22,145 - 44,352 | 44,353 - 66,560 | 332,800 |
| 58 | 24 | 0 - 25,600 | 25,601 - 51,200 | 51,201 - 76,800 | 384,000 |
| 59 | 24 | 0 - 29,824 | 29,825 - 59,712 | 59,713 - 89,600 | 448,000 |
| 60 | 25 | 0 - 34,048 | 34,049 - 68,224 | 68,225 - 102,400 | 512,000 |
| 61 | 25 | 0 - 39,168 | 39,169 - 78,336 | 78,337 - 117,760 | 588,800 |
| 62 | 26 | 0 - 44,288 | 44,289 - 88,576 | 88,577 - 133,120 | 665,600 |
| 63 | 26 | 0 - 51,200 | 51,201 - 102,400 | 102,401 - 153,600 | 768,000 |
| 64 | 27 | 0 - 59,648 | 59,649 - 119,296 | 119,297 - 179,200 | 896,000 |
| 65 | 27 | 0 - 68,096 | 68,097 - 136,448 | 136,449 - 204,800 | 1,024,000 |
| 66 | 28 | 0 - 78,336 | 78,337 - 156,928 | 156,929 - 235,520 | 1,177,600 |
| 67 | 28 | 0 - 88,576 | 88,577 - 177,408 | 177,409 - 266,240 | 1,331,200 |
| 68 | 29 | 0 - 102,400 | 102,401 - 204,800 | 204,801 - 307,200 | 1,536,000 |
| 69 | 29 | 0 - 119,296 | 119,297 - 238,848 | 238,849 - 358,400 | 1,792,000 |
| 70 | 30 | 0 - 136,192 | 136,193 - 272,896 | 272,897 - 409,600 | 2,048,000 |
| 71 | 30 | 0 - 156,672 | 156,673 - 313,344 | 313,345 - 471,040 | 2,355,200 |
| 72 | 31 | 0 - 177,152 | 177,153 - 354,304 | 354,305 - 532,480 | 2,662,400 |
| 73 | 31 | 0 - 204,800 | 204,801 - 409,600 | 409,601 - 614,400 | 3,072,000 |
| 74 | 32 | 0 - 238,592 | 238,593 - 477,184 | 477,185 - 716,800 | 3,584,000 |
| 75 | 32 | 0 - 272,384 | 272,385 - 545,792 | 545,793 - 819,200 | 4,096,000 |
| 76 | 33 | 0 - 313,344 | 313,345 - 627,712 | 627,713 - 942,080 | 4,710,400 |
| 77 | 33 | 0 - 354,304 | 354,305 - 709,632 | 709,633 - 1,064,960 | 5,324,800 |
| 78 | 34 | 0 - 409,600 | 409,601 - 819,200 | 819,201 - 1,228,800 | 6,144,000 |
| 79 | 34 | 0 - 477,184 | 477,185 - 955,392 | 955,393 - 1,433,600 | 7,168,000 |
| 80 | 35 | 0 - 544,768 | 544,769 - 1,091,584 | 1,091,585 - 1,638,400 | 8,192,000 |
| 81 | 35 | 0 - 626,688 | 626,689 - 1,253,376 | 1,253,377 - 1,884,160 | 9,420,800 |
| 82 | 36 | 0 - 708,608 | 708,609 - 1,417,216 | 1,417,217 - 2,129,920 | 10,649,600 |
| 83 | 36 | 0 - 819,200 | 819,201 - 1,638,400 | 1,638,401 - 2,457,600 | 12,288,000 |
| 84 | 37 | 0 - 954,368 | 954,369 - 1,908,736 | 1,908,737 - 2,867,200 | 14,336,000 |
| 85 | 37 | 0 - 1,089,536 | 1,089,537 - 2,183,168 | 2,183,169 - 3,276,800 | 16,384,000 |
Dexterity (DEX)
- Used In
- When Temporarily Increased
- When Permanently Increased
- When Damaged or Drained
- When Reduced to Zero
Constitution (CON)
- Used In
- When Temporarily Increased
- When Permanently Increased
- When Damaged or Drained
- When Reduced to Zero
Intelligence (INT)
- Used In
- When Temporarily Increased
- When Permanently Increased
- When Damaged or Drained
- When Reduced to Zero
Wisdom (WIS)
- Used In
- When Temporarily Increased
- When Permanently Increased
- When Damaged or Drained
- When Reduced to Zero
Charisma (CHA)
- Used In
- When Temporarily Increased
- When Permanently Increased
- When Damaged or Drained
- When Reduced to Zero
Other Ability Scores
Some campaigns will have campaign-specific ability scores, which can have game effects specific to the campaign. If the optional Auramancy rules are used, for example, characters begin with a seventh ability score called Blood (BLD) which dictates the strength of their auramancy.