After race and class are selected, you will be able to decide what stat levels your character will have, by allocating a finite number of “points” between the five statistics. These points can be allocated by selection or with a random roller (as described below in the “Stat Rollers” section). Each race/class combination also has a recommended default setting for these statistics. Statistics can be permanently raised by various potions in the dungeon up to 18/100. They can also be temporarily drained by some monster attacks.
Strength
Strength is important in fighting with weapons and in melee combat. A high strength can improve your chances of hitting as well as the amount of damage done with each hit. Characters with low strengths may receive penalties. Strength raises the amount of weight you can carry before being slowed. It also allows you to get extra blows with heavier weapons. Strength is one of the most important stats in the beginning of the game.
Intelligence
Intelligence affects the spellcasting abilities of spellcasters from the arcane and shadow realms: mages, rogues, necromancers and blackguards. Intelligence will affect the number of spells you may learn each level as well as the number of spell points you receive. Intelligence is the most important stat for mages and necromancers. A high intelligence may also improve your chances of successfully casting a spell. You cannot learn spells if your intelligence is 7 or lower. A good intelligence can also help with using magic devices, picking locks, and disarming traps.
Wisdom
The primary function of wisdom is to determine the ability of a priest or paladin to use prayers, and druids and rangers to use verses, just like intelligence affects spellcasting. Again, high wisdom will increase the number of mana points you have and increase the number of prayers or verses you can learn each level, while improving your chance of success. A good wisdom increases your saving throw, thereby improving your chances of resisting magical spells cast upon you by monsters.
Dexterity
Dexterity is a combination of agility and quickness. A high dexterity may allow a character to get multiple blows with lighter weapons. Dexterity also increases a character’s chances of hitting with any weapon and of dodging blows from enemies. Dexterity is also useful in picking locks, disarming traps, protecting yourself from some of the thieves that inhabit the dungeons, and (for rogues) stealing successfully from others. If the character has a high enough dexterity, thieves will never be successful in stealing from them.
Constitution
Constitution is a character’s ability to resist damage to his body, and to recover from damage received. Therefore a character with a high constitution will receive more hit points and also recover them faster while resting. Constitution is less important in the beginning of the game, but will be the most important stat at the end.