Roll 4d6 (Drop Lowest)
You roll four six-sided dice, throw away the smallest one, and add the three that are left. Repeat six times and you have a set of ability scores. Discarding the worst die pushes the totals up compared with rolling three dice straight, which is exactly the point.
Press Roll to throw the dice.
Press Space to roll again. Type notation like 2d6+3 or 4d6dl1 straight into the box.
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Rolling 4d6 drop lowest gives totals from 3 to 18 out of 1,296 equally likely outcomes. The most likely total is 13 at 13.27%. The lowest total comes up 0.08% of the time and the highest 1.62%. The average roll is 12.24.
- Minimum
- 3
- Maximum
- 18
- Mean
- 12.24
- Median
- 12
- Std deviation
- 2.85
- Most likely
- 13
- Its odds
- 13.27%
4d6 drop lowest probability distribution
The extremes each need every die to agree, which is why 3 and 18 are rare. Middle totals can be built several different ways, so they dominate the table below.
| Total | Ways | Probability | This or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | 0.08% | 0.08% |
| 4 | 4 | 0.31% | 0.39% |
| 5 | 10 | 0.77% | 1.16% |
| 6 | 21 | 1.62% | 2.78% |
| 7 | 38 | 2.93% | 5.71% |
| 8 | 62 | 4.78% | 10.49% |
| 9 | 91 | 7.02% | 17.52% |
| 10 | 122 | 9.41% | 26.93% |
| 11 | 148 | 11.42% | 38.35% |
| 12 | 167 | 12.89% | 51.23% |
| 13 | 172 | 13.27% | 64.51% |
| 14 | 160 | 12.35% | 76.85% |
| 15 | 131 | 10.11% | 86.96% |
| 16 | 94 | 7.25% | 94.21% |
| 17 | 54 | 4.17% | 98.38% |
| 18 | 21 | 1.62% | 100% |
When you'd roll 4d6 drop lowest
This is the method for a table that wants rolled characters without the misery of the original approach. You get six numbers, assign them to abilities however you like, and most characters come out somewhat above average. Compare it against point buy, which gives everyone identical resources, and the standard array, which hands out a fixed set. Rolling is the option that produces surprises, including the occasional character nobody would have designed.
Where this roll shows up
- The standard rolled ability score method in Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition
- Carried over from third edition, and still the default at most tables that roll rather than buy
- The usual alternative to point buy and the standard array
4d6 drop lowest questions
How does 4d6 drop lowest work exactly?
Roll four six-sided dice at once. Set aside the lowest single die, then add the remaining three together for one ability score. Do that six times for a full set, and assign the six results to your abilities in whatever order the game allows.
Why drop the lowest die?
It filters out the worst result of each throw, so scores skew higher and truly poor scores become rare. Rolling three dice straight down produces a lot of mediocre characters, and dropping a die was the fix that stuck.
Is 4d6 drop lowest better than point buy?
Different, not better. Point buy makes every character start on equal footing, which suits organised play and competitive tables. Rolling produces variety and the occasional standout or dud. Pick based on whether your group values fairness or surprise more.
Can I reroll ones when I use this method?
Some tables allow it as a house rule, which pushes scores higher again. The published method does not include it. Agree on it before anyone rolls, because it changes the shape of every character at the table.