High Ability Modifiers for Monsters

[Andramelech]

I noticed monsters seem to have ability modifiers higher than they should be. I must have missed something in the rules. If they have an 8 for STR, it's +0 instead of -1. Do you just add one to all monster ability modifiers? Do they have a different Ability Modifier chart than the one for the PC's in the PH?

I was using Adventure tools to try to make a rogue NPC and it seems like the mods are all to high. It seems too common to be a bunch of typos.

 

[AngryMojo]

Those numbers aren't the ability modifiers, they're the ability check modifiers. Basically, when you roll the ability, that's the modifier you add.

It has the +1/2 level modifier added in.

Because true ability modifiers, like to attacks or damage, are meaningless for monsters, they're not included in the profiles.

 

[jasonbostwick]

The adventure tools (and Stat Blocks in published material) include the +1/2 level bonus in the ability score modifiers so you can easily use them for untrained skill checks and ability checks. So, a 2nd level monster with an 8 Str will have a +0 bonus on Strength checks: +1 for 2nd level, -1 for 8 Str.

 

[Andramelech]

Oh okay. Thanks guys. I'll re-read those specific areas of the rules (what checks you add half your level to). I hadn't thought you did that for skill checks, but haven't much paid attention to the + 1/2 level thing because the PC's are all 1st level still. Thanks again.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

Oh okay. Thanks guys. I'll re-read those specific areas of the rules (what checks you add half your level to). I hadn't thought you did that for skill checks, but haven't much paid attention to the + 1/2 level thing because the PC's are all 1st level still. Thanks again.

Well, there are a very few exceptions but basically you add +1/2 level to all d20 rolls. The one category of rolls that do not do this are saving throws. So they apply to skill and ability checks and to-hit rolls, which covers pretty much everything but saves.