There is only one method of rolling ability scores certified as official in 3rd Edition. House Rules may allow other methods of rolling ability scores, talk to the DM for more information.
Official Method: Roll 4d6 for each of the six ability scores, and add up the highest three of each four dice, e.g., 6,4,3,1=6+4+3=13. Once the six scores are rolled and written down (and before any other adjustments), the player may arrange them in any order he desires, i.e., if an 18 is rolled as one of the numbers, the character may choose to put that 18 as any one ability score. After this, racial and other adjustments are made.
The order of the abilities scores are:
Strength (STR)
Dexterity (DEX)
Constitution (CON)
Intelligence (INT)
Wisdom (WIS)
Charisma (CHA)
Once you have placed the ability scores, use the following table to determine the ability score modifier that the ability score gives. Remember, the higher the score, the better the ability. A normal person would have a 10-11 in most abilities. A professional gymnast may have a Dexterity of 14-15, for example.
| Score | Modifier |
| 1 | -5 |
| 2-3 | -4 |
| 4-5 | -3 |
| 6-7 | -2 |
| 8-9 | -1 |
| 10-11 | 0 |
| 12-13 | +1 |
| 14-15 | +2 |
| 16-17 | +3 |
| 18-19 | +4 |
| 20-21 | +5 |
| 22-23 | +6 |
| 24-25 | +7 |
| 26-27 | +8 |
| 28-29 | +9 |
| 30-31 | +10 |
Borrowed from Dungeons & Dragons Players Handbook. © 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc.