Point Buy in D&D 5e: 27 Points, Costs, and Example Builds
16 May 2026
Point buy lets you sculpt six ability scores with a 27-point budget. Each score between 8 and 15 has a point cost; you spend until you hit the cap or run out of points. It is the sibling method to the standard array—same ceiling, more knobs.
Use the Ability Score Workshop on the Point buy tab to raise and lower scores with live cost tracking and a 27 / 27 budget readout.
Point costs (official chart)
| Score | Cost |
|---|---|
| 8 | 0 |
| 9 | 1 |
| 10 | 2 |
| 11 | 3 |
| 12 | 4 |
| 13 | 5 |
| 14 | 7 |
| 15 | 9 |
You buy each ability separately. Total spent must be 27 or less before background and species bonuses.
Example: Fighter-style spread (27 points)
A common melee baseline matches the standard array feel:
| Ability | Score | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 15 | 9 |
| Dexterity | 13 | 5 |
| Constitution | 14 | 7 |
| Intelligence | 10 | 2 |
| Wisdom | 12 | 4 |
| Charisma | 8 | 0 |
| Total | 27 |
That is not the only legal spread—it is a proof that the “classic” array fits inside point buy math.
How to spend the budget (practical order)
- 15 in your attack or spell stat (9 points).
- 14 in Constitution (7 points)—you are at 16 points with two stats done.
- Spend the remaining 11 on Dexterity, Wisdom, and dumps.
If you cannot afford 15 in two stats and 14 Constitution, something has to give. That tension is the point of the system.
Point buy vs standard array
| Point buy | Standard array |
|---|---|
| Custom 8–15 curves | Fixed six numbers |
| Min-max friendly | Zero arithmetic |
| Easy to overspend on flair | Harder to “break” the curve |
For modifier math and what each ability does, see ability scores explained. For creation order with 2024 backgrounds, see backgrounds explained.
Mistakes that waste points
- Buying 15, 15 before Constitution—usually illegal on 27 points anyway, and brutal when legal at some tables.
- Ignoring Dexterity on armored casters (initiative still matters).
- Forgetting point buy ends at 15—your 17 comes from background + species, not from the buy itself.
What to read next
- Standard array in 5e — the fast alternative
- Skills guide — where modifiers show up every session
- Build your first character — step-by-step creation
Combat hub: How combat works · Action economy · All conditions
Recommended gear
The right bits at the table—dice, a grid, a quick reference—can quietly save a session from friction. If you’re stocking up or replacing something worn smooth, a single search is often enough to find what fits your group.
Search Dungeons & Dragons on Amazon — opens a category search; pick what your table actually uses.