diff --git a/module/config.mjs b/module/config.mjs
index 8c54f69c0d..52b39454bd 100644
--- a/module/config.mjs
+++ b/module/config.mjs
@@ -14,12 +14,20 @@ ______      ______ _____ _____
 |___/ \\___/\\/___/ \\____/\\____/
 _______________________________`;
 
+/**
+ * Configuration data for abilities.
+ *
+ * @typedef {object} AbilityConfiguration
+ * @property {string} label         Localized label.
+ * @property {string} abbreviation  Localized abbreviation.
+ * @property {Object<string, number|string>}  defaults  Default values for this ability based on actor type.
+ *                                  If a string is used, the system will attempt to fetch the value of the
+ *                                  specified ability.
+ */
+
 /**
  * The set of Ability Scores used within the system.
- * @enum {{
- *  label: string,
- *  abbreviation: string
- * }}
+ * @enum {AbilityConfiguration}
  */
 DND5E.abilities = {
   str: {
@@ -36,23 +44,28 @@ DND5E.abilities = {
   },
   int: {
     label: "DND5E.AbilityInt",
-    abbreviation: "DND5E.AbilityIntAbbr"
+    abbreviation: "DND5E.AbilityIntAbbr",
+    defaults: { vehicle: 0 }
   },
   wis: {
     label: "DND5E.AbilityWis",
-    abbreviation: "DND5E.AbilityWisAbbr"
+    abbreviation: "DND5E.AbilityWisAbbr",
+    defaults: { vehicle: 0 }
   },
   cha: {
     label: "DND5E.AbilityCha",
-    abbreviation: "DND5E.AbilityChaAbbr"
+    abbreviation: "DND5E.AbilityChaAbbr",
+    defaults: { vehicle: 0 }
   },
   hon: {
     label: "DND5E.AbilityHon",
-    abbreviation: "DND5E.AbilityHonAbbr"
+    abbreviation: "DND5E.AbilityHonAbbr",
+    defaults: { npc: "cha", vehicle: 0 }
   },
   san: {
     label: "DND5E.AbilitySan",
-    abbreviation: "DND5E.AbilitySanAbbr"
+    abbreviation: "DND5E.AbilitySanAbbr",
+    defaults: { npc: "wis", vehicle: 0 }
   }
 };
 preLocalize("abilities", { keys: ["label", "abbreviation"] });
diff --git a/module/documents/actor/actor.mjs b/module/documents/actor/actor.mjs
index 43ba2a8abf..3c19b28843 100644
--- a/module/documents/actor/actor.mjs
+++ b/module/documents/actor/actor.mjs
@@ -229,22 +229,16 @@ export default class Actor5e extends Actor {
   _prepareBaseAbilities() {
     if ( !("abilities" in this.system) ) return;
     const abilities = {};
-    for ( const key of Object.keys(CONFIG.DND5E.abilities) ) {
+    for ( const [key, config] of Object.entries(CONFIG.DND5E.abilities) ) {
       abilities[key] = this.system.abilities[key];
       if ( !abilities[key] ) {
         abilities[key] = foundry.utils.deepClone(game.system.template.Actor.templates.common.abilities.cha);
 
-        // Honor: Charisma for NPC, 0 for vehicles
-        if ( key === "hon" ) {
-          if ( this.type === "vehicle" ) abilities[key].value = 0;
-          else if ( this.type === "npc" ) abilities[key].value = this.system.abilities.cha?.value ?? 10;
-        }
-
-        // Sanity: Wisdom for NPC, 0 for vehicles
-        else if ( key === "san" ) {
-          if ( this.type === "vehicle" ) abilities[key].value = 0;
-          else if ( this.type === "npc" ) abilities[key].value = this.system.abilities.wis?.value ?? 10;
+        let defaultValue = config.defaults?.[this.type] ?? 10;
+        if ( typeof defaultValue === "string" ) {
+          defaultValue = abilities[defaultValue].value ?? this.system.abilities[defaultValue] ?? 10;
         }
+        abilities[key].value = defaultValue;
       }
     }
     this.system.abilities = abilities;