Maximum attribute

What is the maximum value of each attribute? That is, how far can you increase your strength, dexterity, constitution, intelligence, wisdom and charisma?

Humans can reach 18/** in strength and 18 in most other attributes. Other races have modifiers; for example elves can reach only 18 in strength (not 18/50 or 18/**) but they can reach 20 in some other attributes. You can increase strength, dexterity, constitution and wisdom through exercise.

Some magic items, like the helm of brilliance, gauntlets of power and guantlets of dexterity, allow you to exceed these maximums. In fact, such items are common in ascension kits.

NetHack brass
You can ignore this section unless you play the variant called NetHack brass.

NetHack brass implements different maximum attributes per role. Find your maximum attributes by looking for your role in the next table, then applying the racial modifiers. Humans have +2 to strength. All heroes have a minimum of 3 for each attribute.

Racial modifiers
These racial modifiers apply only to the maximum attributes of each player. An elven Ranger, for example, can reach 19+1 = 20 in charisma by increasing charisma one more time after a human Ranger would have maxed at 19.

For strength modifiers only, a +1 raises 18 to 18/50, while a +2 raises 18 to 18/** or 17 to 18/50.

Wizard mode
In wizard mode, the #rrllududab extended command will give your maximum attributes to you.

Reference: src/role.c in NetHack brass 040923.