Attributes

Learn how to effectively allocate character attributes in Shadows of Doubt. Understand the impact of Strength, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Dexterity on your gameplay and character build.

During character creation in Shadows of Doubt, you will "roll" your characters' attributes. You can swap points between attributes, provided you do not go below the class minimums or 3. You can re-roll as much as you like. A total of around 90 attribute points is generally recommended. For Fighter-type characters, pay attention to the percentile score when Strength is 18; a total of 88 points with an 18/91 Strength is better than 90 points with an 18/01 Strength.

Generally, you cannot start with an attribute of 19 or greater, though some racial choices allow reaching 19 in one or two attributes by reducing others. Characters imported from Baldur's Gate may have attributes of 19 or even 20.

Strength

Investment in Strength increases THAC0 (To Hit Armor Class 0), damage per attack, bash chance, and weight allowance.

The "To Hit" column applies to melee weapons; Dexterity provides the THAC0 bonus for missile weapons. The damage bonus applies to thrown weapons and slings.

The "Bash %" column indicates the chance to break open locked containers. It is generally more convenient for a Thief to pick locks.

The "Carry" column is the maximum weight of equipped and inventory items. Exceeding this limit slows movement; greatly exceeding it can immobilize your character. This typically occurs if your attribute score is drained.

Some equipment has a minimum Strength requirement; 15 is sufficient to equip everything.

Intelligence

Intelligence is directly useful for Mage characters, governing the maximum spell level learned and the number of spells known per level. For all characters, it provides a bonus to the Lore skill.

For spellcasting, Intelligence above 18 is not strictly necessary. A score of 19, achievable by Gnome characters, offers a quality-of-life bonus by reducing the chance of failing to learn a spell, a mechanic that can waste scrolls. Some players consider this a reload condition, especially concerning powerful spells like Time Stop. Anecdotally, failure rates may seem higher than stated at 17 Intelligence.

The Intelligence requirement for a spell level affects scribing, not casting. Thus, a specialist Mage can use lower Intelligence with potions of Genius or Mind Focusing to aid scribing and temporarily bypass the maximum spells per level limit. Sorcerers do not require Intelligence for high-level magic.

Characters with Intelligence below 9 cannot use wands or scrolls, even if their class normally allows it.

Wisdom

Wisdom is primarily useful for Cleric and Druid characters, providing bonus spells at high values.

Dexterity

At high values, Dexterity provides an AC (Armor Class) bonus. For Thief, Ranger, Bard, and Monk characters, it also boosts or penalizes their skills.

Due to the AC bonus, a score close to 18 is highly beneficial.