What is the D&D 5e standard array?

The standard array is a fixed set of six ability scores, 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, and 8, that you assign to your six abilities. It is an alternative to point buy and rolling that guarantees a balanced, fair spread for every character.

How does the optimizer place my scores?

It sorts your six values from highest to lowest and assigns them to your class's ability priority order, so your top score lands in the class's key ability. For a Wizard that means Intelligence first, while a Fighter gets Strength first.

What are saving-throw proficiencies?

Each class grants proficiency in two saving throws, adding your proficiency bonus to those saves. The tool highlights them so you can see whether your strong stats line up with your proficient saves, which makes a more resilient character.

Can I use my own rolled stats instead?

Yes. Enter any six values between 1 and 20 separated by commas. The optimizer works the same way, sorting and placing them by class priority, so it is just as useful for rolled characters as for the standard array.

Is the suggested placement always best?

It is an excellent default that maximizes your primary ability and protects key saves, but flavor, multiclassing plans, and racial bonuses can shift things. Treat the output as a strong starting point you can adjust to your concept.

What is the D&D Ability Score Optimizer?

Enter your rolled or standard array values and pick a class to get the optimal ability placement, with modifiers and saving-throw proficiencies highlighted. For new D&D 5e players assigning stats during character creation. It runs free in your browser on Gera Tools, with nothing uploaded.

D&D Ability Score Optimizer

Name: D&D Ability Score Optimizer
Creator: Gera Tools
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Stop guessing where your D&D stats should go. Enter the standard array or your rolled scores, pick a class, and this optimizer drops your best numbers into the abilities that matter most, showing each modifier and flagging your saving-throw proficiencies.

What is the standard array?

The standard array is a fixed set of six values — 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8 — provided as an alternative to rolling ability scores or using the point-buy system. Every character using the standard array starts with the same total “power budget,” making it a fair and balanced option at tables where rolled stats create large gaps between players.

The array sums to 72 total ability score points. Compare that to the point-buy maximum of around 72-73 equivalent points, and you can see why the standard array is considered roughly equivalent to a solid (but not exceptional) set of rolled stats.

How it works

Each 5e class has a clear ability priority order from the Player’s Handbook. A Wizard leans on Intelligence, a Rogue on Dexterity, a Cleric on Wisdom, and so on, with Constitution almost always a close second because it drives hit points.

The optimizer sorts your six values from highest to lowest and assigns them down the class’s priority list. It then computes each ability modifier as floor((score − 10) / 2) and marks the two saving throws your class is proficient in, so you can judge whether your strong stats also protect your important saves.

Class-by-class priority guide

Class	Primary	Secondary	Dump candidates
Barbarian	STR	CON	INT, CHA
Bard	CHA	DEX	STR, CON
Cleric	WIS	CON or STR	DEX, CHA
Druid	WIS	CON	STR, CHA
Fighter (melee)	STR	CON	INT, CHA
Fighter (ranged)	DEX	CON	INT, CHA
Monk	DEX	WIS	STR, CHA
Paladin	STR	CHA	INT, DEX
Ranger	DEX	WIS	INT, CHA
Rogue	DEX	INT or CHA	STR
Sorcerer	CHA	CON	STR, DEX
Warlock	CHA	CON	STR, DEX
Wizard	INT	CON	STR, CHA

This table is a starting point. Multiclass plans, specific subclasses, and roleplay concepts can all shift priorities.

Standard array worked example — Fighter

Standard array values: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8

Ability	Score	Modifier
STR (primary)	15	+2
CON (secondary)	14	+2
DEX	13	+1
WIS	12	+1
CHA	10	+0
INT (dump)	8	-1

Saving-throw proficiencies for Fighter: STR and CON — perfectly aligned with the two highest scores.

Tips for refining placement

Add racial bonuses after the optimizer’s placement; a species that grants +2 STR can turn a 15 into a 17, raising the modifier from +2 to +3 — a meaningful improvement to your attack rolls and damage.
If you plan a multiclass dip (for example, two levels of Paladin for Divine Smite), consider whether that dip’s key ability (Charisma for Paladin) deserves a higher score than the pure-class priority would suggest.
Avoid placing the 8 in an ability your saving-throw proficiency covers — a negative modifier on a proficient save slightly undercuts the proficiency bonus but is not as punishing as a negative modifier on a non-proficient save that comes up frequently.