The “Ability Scores And Modifiers” table on page 13 of the phb indicates that an ability score of 1 (resulting in a -5 modifier) or 2 (resulting in a -4 modifier) is possible. This, however, does not seem possible given the methods (provided on said page) used to determine ability scores. I must be missing something quite obvious here.

Ability scores can decrease.

See, for instance, the shadow and its strength drain ability. Even with score-generation methods that floor scores at 8, it'd only take two drains to threaten a PC with a strength below 3.

Monsters can have lower ability scores than player characters, and the same table can be used for their attribute modifiers.

You can see several examples in Appendix D of the PHB. A few selecions:

• Both bats and rats have a Strength of 2 and an Intelligence of 2.


• A frog has Strength 1, Intelligence 1 and Charisma 3.

The Monsters Manual has many more examples:

• All the animated objects have Int and Cha 1, as do many other constructs.


• Several kinds of incorporeal undead (banshees, specters, and will-o'-wisps) have Str 1.


• A gas spore (a fungal creature) has Dex, Int, Wis and Cha of 1 (and only 5 Str and 3 Con to round out a spectacularly bad stat block).


• All oozes have Int 1 and most have Cha 1.


• A quipper (a piranha-like fish) has Str 2, Int 1 and Cha 2


• A swarm of insects has Str 3, Int 1 and Cha 1

Many other monsters have low scores too, particularly Intelligence and Charisma which are usually in the range 1-3 for non-intelligent creatures. Tiny creatures often have low Strength as well.

There are multiple reasons for which a player to may use an ability score below 3.

Player Character Creation

It is possible (but not advisable) to create a player character with a score of 1 on an ability score. You must choose to be play either an Orc or a Kobold. Both these playable races were published in Volo's Guide to Monsters and Orcs have a -2 to intelligence, while Kobolds have a -2 to strength. If you roll for your ability scores using the method provided in the PHB on page 12, and you are unfortunate enough to roll a 3, then you can assign that 3 to either intelligence (for Orc) or strength (for Kobold) and end up with a 1 on that ability score.

Ability Score Reduction

Some creatures can reduce the ability scores of other creatures. For example, Shadows and Intellect Devourers can respectively reduce the strength and intelligence scores of their targets below 3.

Other Creatures

There are plenty of creatures which have ability scores below 3 and sometimes players get to control these creatures. For example, a player may control:

• a Warhorse which has an intelligence of 2, because the player is riding it.


• a Bat which has both strength and intelligence of 2, because it is the player's familiar.


• a Giant Crab which has an intelligence of 1, because the player turned into one with Polymorph.


• Etc.