I'm not sure why it works this way, but it seems to only allow up to 18 for the base score. To be fair, the common ways of generating ability scores (standard array, point buy, 3d6, 4d6 drop lowest) are capped at 18.
Because Racial Bonuses are hard coded, and one cannot have an ability score over 20 without magic items (very specific magic items at that).
If you have a racial bonus of+1 or +2 to the ability, the 18 will still become a 19 or 20 after racial bonus is applied.
If you need a workaround, create a homebrew race, with the bonus you need to get the score you need, or apply the magic items to the character to do the same thing.
Because Racial Bonuses are hard coded, and one cannot have an ability score over 20 without magic items (very specific magic items at that).
There is one other way to get two specific ability scores over 20 without magic items. 20th Barbarian level. +4 to Strength and Constitution to a possible 24 without magic items or boons.
Anyway, I'm pretty sure the base stats are before bonuses.
If you need a workaround, create a homebrew race, with the bonus you need to get the score you need, or apply the magic items to the character to do the same thing.
I'm absolutely sure that this is not the easiest way to deal with a generic base ability score higher than 18. There are "Other Modifier" and "Ability Override" options for whatever generation method you choose on DDB. Either of those seems way more convenient.
this, and its the very same reason you can't enter a 1 or a 2.....its 3d6...every other way to do stats is a variant of 3d6 (and those other variants are there because people cheat or just start over if they roll a low number).
besides, normal is 10-11...saying you're a level 1 budding adventurer STARTING with superhuman(dwarf/whatever) abilities is silly. if you want to do that, just take your paper and write whatever numbers you want on it.
This is an ancient post, but I figured I'd post some clarification here since the thread doesn't have a single comment that addresses everything.
The Player's Handbook (PHB), with rules as written (RAW), says the max rolled score a character can have at level 1 is 18 via 3d6 drop lowest. 18 is the cap because some racial feats add up to +2, and 20 is the max possible for a player character stat at level 1 (using RAW). There are specific instances where the rules say a stat can go higher than 20, but it will be VERY explicit (IE, barbarian capstone).
Monster stats cap out at 30, but that's irrelevant. Anyway, that's why. Because it's not allowed in the rules.
The Player's Handbook (PHB), with rules as written (RAW), says the max rolled score a character can have at level 1 is 18. This is because some racial feats add up to +2, and 20 is the max possible for a player character stat. There are specific instances where the rules say a stat can go higher than 20, but it will be VERY explicit (IE, barbarian capstone).
The maximum is because when rolling stats you roll 4d6 and discard the lowest, so the maximum possible roll is three 6's for a total base score of 18. The other two generation methods are point buy and standard array, neither of which allows you to have a base score higher than 15 (which IMO is silly, we should be allowed to make over specialised characters but whatever).
Since D&D Beyond is based on the official rules the scores go no higher, as the ability score section of the builder is not designed to support homebrew rules for generation (though since you enter the scores manually for rolled there is still a fair bit of freedom). That said, you can override the scores on the character sheet itself, which allows scores all the way up to 30, but that very much requires your DM's approval.
If you want to have base scores on the D&D Beyond character sheet that are above 18 or below 3 - the character sheet provides an "Other Modifier" field where positive or negative values can be entered. If the character was generated using a system other than 3d6 (eg d20 for each stat) and you want to start above 18 - enter 18 for the stat and put a 1 or 2 in the "Other Modifier" field.
The reason for the 3-18 range limitation is the 3d6 stat generation system (4d6k3) which comes in the PHB. Alternate stat generation systems that give initial values outside the 3-18 range can be accommodated using the other modifier field.
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I can't figure out why a base ability score of my character can't be entered as 19 or 20. Does anyone know how to fix this?
Use manual and put your ability score total in the "override score" section.
I'm not sure why it works this way, but it seems to only allow up to 18 for the base score. To be fair, the common ways of generating ability scores (standard array, point buy, 3d6, 4d6 drop lowest) are capped at 18.
How did you end up with a 19 or 20 anyway?
I’m pretty sure that is intentional.
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Because Racial Bonuses are hard coded, and one cannot have an ability score over 20 without magic items (very specific magic items at that).
If you have a racial bonus of+1 or +2 to the ability, the 18 will still become a 19 or 20 after racial bonus is applied.
If you need a workaround, create a homebrew race, with the bonus you need to get the score you need, or apply the magic items to the character to do the same thing.
There is one other way to get two specific ability scores over 20 without magic items. 20th Barbarian level. +4 to Strength and Constitution to a possible 24 without magic items or boons.
Anyway, I'm pretty sure the base stats are before bonuses.
I'm absolutely sure that this is not the easiest way to deal with a generic base ability score higher than 18. There are "Other Modifier" and "Ability Override" options for whatever generation method you choose on DDB. Either of those seems way more convenient.
Short answer, because you can't roll a 19 or 20 when generating your starting stats. You can only roll between 3 and 18.
Was the 19 or 20 your character's initial score before racial bonuses, ASIs, feats, etc? Because that's one REALLY generous Dungeon Master.
this, and its the very same reason you can't enter a 1 or a 2.....its 3d6...every other way to do stats is a variant of 3d6 (and those other variants are there because people cheat or just start over if they roll a low number).
besides, normal is 10-11...saying you're a level 1 budding adventurer STARTING with superhuman(dwarf/whatever) abilities is silly. if you want to do that, just take your paper and write whatever numbers you want on it.
gah: jd beat me
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This is an ancient post, but I figured I'd post some clarification here since the thread doesn't have a single comment that addresses everything.
The Player's Handbook (PHB), with rules as written (RAW), says the max rolled score a character can have at level 1 is 18 via 3d6 drop lowest. 18 is the cap because some racial feats add up to +2, and 20 is the max possible for a player character stat at level 1 (using RAW). There are specific instances where the rules say a stat can go higher than 20, but it will be VERY explicit (IE, barbarian capstone).
Monster stats cap out at 30, but that's irrelevant. Anyway, that's why. Because it's not allowed in the rules.
The maximum is because when rolling stats you roll 4d6 and discard the lowest, so the maximum possible roll is three 6's for a total base score of 18. The other two generation methods are point buy and standard array, neither of which allows you to have a base score higher than 15 (which IMO is silly, we should be allowed to make over specialised characters but whatever).
Since D&D Beyond is based on the official rules the scores go no higher, as the ability score section of the builder is not designed to support homebrew rules for generation (though since you enter the scores manually for rolled there is still a fair bit of freedom). That said, you can override the scores on the character sheet itself, which allows scores all the way up to 30, but that very much requires your DM's approval.
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This is a really old thread but ...
If you want to have base scores on the D&D Beyond character sheet that are above 18 or below 3 - the character sheet provides an "Other Modifier" field where positive or negative values can be entered. If the character was generated using a system other than 3d6 (eg d20 for each stat) and you want to start above 18 - enter 18 for the stat and put a 1 or 2 in the "Other Modifier" field.
The reason for the 3-18 range limitation is the 3d6 stat generation system (4d6k3) which comes in the PHB. Alternate stat generation systems that give initial values outside the 3-18 range can be accommodated using the other modifier field.