Exercise: D&D Character javaLink: https://exercism.org/tracks/java/exercises/dnd-character/edit

[eager halo]

Hi everyone 👋
I'm working on the D&D Character exercise, and I'm a bit confused about the expected behavior of the ability() method.

Initially, I assumed that we might sometimes be given the scores for the abilities directly — and only in that case, the ability()method gets called. Otherwise, I thought the user should roll the dice to generate the scores for each ability.

I implemented the solution based on that understanding, but many test cases are failing. I re-read the instructions several times but couldn't find anything that clearly explains the role of the ability() method. Even the test cases don’t seem to call or directly explain its use.

Could someone help clarify what exactly the exercise wants us to do — especially regarding how ability() should work?

Thanks in advance 🙏

[wicked birch]

The ability method is one of the main methods of the exercise really.

It is supposed to calculate the score for any of the abilities as the instructions say

These six abilities have scores that are determined randomly. You do this by rolling four 6-sided dice and recording the sum of the largest three dice. You do this six times, once for each ability.

Also the tests do actually call the ability Method, here's two examples

public void testAbilityCalculationsWithHighestEqualNumbers() {
        assertThat(dndCharacter.ability(List.of(6, 6, 6, 6))).isEqualTo(18);
    }

public void testAbilityCalculationsWithTwoLowestNumbers() {
        assertThat(dndCharacter.ability(List.of(3, 5, 3, 4))).isEqualTo(12);
    }

[eager halo]

calculating score for any of the abilities is not the task of rolling dice?

[wicked birch]

roll dice should roll the dice
ability should be able to take these rolls and calculate the final score of the ability