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
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.
Caster Ability Score
Spell-casting character classes always use one particular ability score modifier (sometimes referred to as their 'caster stat mod') when calculating the saving throw difficulty class (DC) of their spells. In addition, if their caster ability score is high enough, they may gain the ability to cast 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
Bonus Spell Slots per Day
Refer to the table below to determine if your primary casting stat entitles you to bonus spells, extracts or poultices per day:
| 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
- Adds the Str modifier to player to-hit rolls and damage rolls with melee weapons. Provides players with their ability to carry things (see below). Used as the basis for a very small number of skills, but they are very cool.
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
- Adds the Dex modifier to the player's Armor Class. Adds the Dex modifier to Reflex saving throws. Adds the Dex modifier to to-hit rolls with ranged weapons (both thrown and projectile.) Adds to lots and lots of skills.
Constitution (CON)
- Used In
- Adds the stat modifier to your hit points every time you roll a hit die. (This is really, really nice.) Adds to Fortitude saves. Used for a very small number of skills. Did we mention it adds to your hit points and fortitude saves?
Intelligence (INT)
- Used In
- Used in several classes for arcane spells and other class abilities. Used in a lot of skills. Determines how many languages you start with and can learn from your race's starting language list.
Starting Languages
All player characters can speak, read, and write the Common language at native familiarity, regardless of the race chosen, or their intelligence score. Some races provide an additional language to starting characters, regardless of their intelligence score. Characters with secondary languages from their race can speak, read and write these languages at native familiarity as well.
In addition to the starting language(s), characters with a positive Intelligence modifier gain one bonus language per +1 of their modifier. That is, a character with a 14 intelligence (which grants a +2 INT modifier) would learn 2 bonus languages. These bonus languages are selected from the list of bonus languages available to their chosen character race. Bonus languages are always learned at the fluent level of familiarity.
If a character improves their Intelligence through a permanent source (such as a magic item, a manual, or through level advancement), sufficient to increase their INT modifier, they gain an additional bonus language, chosen from the same list of their chosen race. If a character's INT modifier increases to the point where they could gain more bonus languages than those offered by their race, they no longer gain bonus languages for increasing their Intelligence (though they still gain additional skill ranks each level; see below).
Characters may also learn additional languages by placing ranks in the Linguistics skill.
Wisdom (WIS)
- Used In
- Used in several classes for divine spells and other class abilities. Used in a few skills, but they are quite important. Adds to your Willpower saves, and that's rather nice.
Charisma (CHA)
- Used In
- Used in several classes for arcane spells and other class abilities. Used in a lot of good skills. Makes you real good lookin', and who doesn't like that?
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 may begin with a seventh ability score called Blood (BLD) which dictates the strength of their Bloodline.