Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition ability score
Intelligence (INT)
Intelligence (INT) is an ability score in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition: Mental acuity, recall, and reasoning, the spellcasting ability for wizards and five knowledge skills.
Last reviewed
Key facts
- Abbreviation
- INT
- Derived Stats
- Wizard spellcasting, INT saves, Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, Religion
Overview
Intelligence is the ability of stored knowledge and deliberate reasoning. It carries more skills than any other score except Wisdom: Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, and Religion, which together cover most of what a party needs to identify before they can deal with it. Investigation in particular is the difference between finding a hidden door and walking past it. It is also the Wizard's spellcasting ability, which sets their spell attack bonus, their save DC, and how many spells they can prepare each day. Outside of Intelligence casters the score is often dumped, and the cost shows up as the worst saving throw in the game to be bad at against mind-affecting effects.
How it works
Modifier: floor((score minus 10) divided by 2). For a Wizard it also sets the spell save DC (8 plus proficiency bonus plus the modifier) and the number of spells prepared. Saving Throws: Resisting illusions, psychic assaults, and effects that attack the mind directly. Wizards and Rogues are proficient in the SRD class list. Skills: Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, and Religion. Derived: Wizard spell attack rolls and save DC, prepared spell count (the modifier plus your Wizard level), and checks to recall lore under pressure.
Tips and playstyle
Best for: Wizards above all, and any character who wants to be the party investigator rather than its lookout. Character concepts: Court archivist, arcane researcher, detective, cartographer, naturalist, a Rogue who solves the vault instead of picking it. Synergies: Intelligence and Wisdom divide investigation between them: Wisdom notices, Intelligence deduces. A High Elf pairs a free wizard cantrip with an Intelligence bonus, which makes the score useful on a non-caster. Expertise on Investigation doubles your proficiency bonus and turns a good modifier into a reliable one.
Frequently asked questions
Investigation or Perception: which finds the secret door?
Perception (Wisdom) notices that a section of wall looks wrong. Investigation (Intelligence) works out that it pivots and where the catch is. Many tables call for Perception to spot and Investigation to understand.
Is Intelligence safe to dump?
It is the most commonly dumped score, and the cost is real but back-loaded: five skills go dead and Intelligence saves against illusions and psychic effects get worse, and few classes are proficient in that save to compensate.
What exactly does Intelligence do for a Wizard?
It sets the spell attack bonus, the save DC of 8 plus proficiency bonus plus the modifier, and the number of spells you prepare, which is your Intelligence modifier plus your Wizard level. It is the whole class in one score.