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Message: <blockquote data-quote="(Psi)SeveredHead" data-source="post: 6211680" data-attributes="member: 1165">You put "any D&D" so you'll get a lot of answers.The various DMGs do advise on stats, but only in 4e is it explicit.In 3rd Edition and Pathfinder, plus related games (d20 Modern, for instance) there's suggestions on attack bonuses, damage, etc, which implies what your ability scores should be. Unfortunately the derived statistics often meant your monster would be incredibly strong in one area (eg grappling) and cripplingly weak in another area (eg Will save).Before they changed the Monster Math, ability scores were pretty much set by level for 4e monsters, and these were high (16 + 1/2 level for key stat, 13 + 1/2 level for highest non-key stat of a defense pair). Then again, the effect of ability scores are pretty minimal. The new monster math removed even that. Ability scores influence your Fort/Ref/Will (and only slightly), but your AC, attack bonus and damage are based on level, role, and type of attacks. You just pick the ability scores that you think make sense. If you want a monster that can dodge really well, just give them an ability like Defensive Mobility.In 5e, monster ability scores are far more important. Of course, this causes balance problems. (A monster with low Int will always fail Int-based saves. Fortunately there's only a few of these!)</blockquote>