Chapter 15: Party and Character Creation.​
This chapter is the moment that many readers are waiting for. In this chapter, the basics of creating a party are explained. Not all parties in Ludicrous Ludo are the same and typically have different strengths, weaknesses, and abilities. This part of the game allows players to be more unique from one another and offers increased replayability.
15.1 Party Creation Basics:    

In many RPGs, you might create a character. This process is the same for Ludicrous Ludo, except it is now referred to as a “party” within the game’s terminology. This change in terminology is because all four party members share the same stats, excluding the differences that the leader gains.

There are two parts of party creation: the stats and gameplay mechanics sides of things, as well as the backstory and character side of things. The former is required, and the latter is optional but could add to the game's fun. This book intentionally leaves much of the lore of the game blank, which is not only out of laziness but also to allow players and friend groups to create their own lore behind the game and matches they may play.

The mechanical side of party creation mainly revolves around making various choices in different areas of your character. These choices will define your party’s strengths, weaknesses, and abilities. It could be helpful to consider what archetypes or focuses you want. Do you want a defensive party that could dodge a lot of hits and survive a while? Do you want a character that could bring down opponents quickly? The following chapters will explore this topic.
15.2 The Process:    

The first few steps include optional choices, such as selecting the party’s name, the piece's color (if available), and the group's goal. The game’s rules do not limit the party’s name and goal, so it is a simple process that could be done first.

The following steps are not explained in this chapter. The following several chapters consist of multiple chapters that cover the steps needed to create a party and explain the rules and options behind them. These are as follows:
  • Race: Chapter 16.
  • Class: Chapter 17.
  • Magic School selection (if applicable): chapters 13 and 16.
  • Stats: Chapter 18.
  • Weapons: Chapter 19.
  • Engineering Focus: Chapter 21.
  • Pegan God or Goddess: Chapter 22.
  • Perks: Chapter 23.

This section, “Ludicrous Ludo: Section 15.2”, is adapted from pages 3 and 76 of the “System Reference Document 5.1” by Wizards of the Coast LLC, which is under a CC BY 4.0 license. “Ludicrous Ludo: Section 15.2” is under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
15.3 Party Sheet:    

In the printable assets section of this section of the website, it contains a printable Ludicrous Ludo party sheet. One of the game’s appendixes also contains a party sheet that is already filled out as an example. Using each of them might help you to create your own parties for the game.
15.4 Player Levels:    

Because of all of the content related to party customization in this game, it might be overwhelming to create parties or even get into the game. The leveling mechanic in this game aims to address this issue. It does this in a similar way that many RPGs solve this problem, but locking certain options behind a leveling system. Instead of thinking of this mechanic as a “hard rule,” think of it as something optional that could improve some players’ experience in the game.
    
Every player starts at level 1 (yes, player, not party). There are two ways to level up: either a) playing the necessary number of matches or b) choosing to do so when you feel confident and ready to do so. You may use different methods for different levels. For method A, the number of matches that need to be played until achieving the next level increases by one each time. Below is a chart outlining the process, as well as another chart helping you keep track of the number of matches that you have played by marking it with a pencil. As a common courtesy, I would not recommend marking the bottom graph if you are borrowing this book, especially from a place such as a library.
Record Keeping table:
  • Level 1: 1
  • Level 2: 1, 2
  • Level 3: 1, 2, 3
  • Level 4: 1, 2, 3, 4
  • Level 5: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Many character customizations, such as party classes, perks, weapons, and engineering focuses, become available after leveling up to different levels. Underneath the name of a customization, there is italicized text that states when the customization option becomes available. For example, “available at level 2”, which is unlocked at that level. If there is no underlined text below the name related to this, then it is unlocked at the very start of the game process.
15.5 Unlock Early Feature:    

Whenever you level up, as well as before you start creating your first party, you may make a single roll on the “Unlock Early” table. If you land on a race, class, weapon, engineering focus, patron god or goddess, or perk that you have not unlocked yet, you unlock it early. Making a roll on the “Unlock Early” table may only be done once per level up, and once before you make your first party. If the roll results in something that you have already unlocked, nothing happens.
    
The table uses a d100, which a player could do by rolling a single d10 twice. The first time comprises the tens place, the second time the ones place. If both rolls are 10s, the result is 100.
    
When you unlock something, make sure to note it down. A player could note it by writing it on a piece of paper, in free space on a party sheet, or, if you own this book, by circling it within the chart with a pen or pencil.
    
Since the Complete and Free Versions of Ludicrous Ludo have different content, each has its own lists. Players may choose either list to use, assuming that they have access to both. If they do not have access to both versions’ lists, they will use the one to which a player has access.

​For the table, here are the following columns (from left to right):
  • Number Range Rolled.
  • Types of Things Unlocked.
  • Thing Unlocked.
  • Level of Unlock.
This section, “Ludicrous Ludo Free Edition: Section 23.5”, is adapted from pages 39-40 of the “System Reference Document 5.1” by Wizards of the Coast LLC, which is under a CC BY 4.0 license. “Ludicrous Ludo Free Edition: Section 23.5” is under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
​
A larger list of things that could potentially be unlocked by the unlock early feature is contained within the Complete Edition of Ludicrous Ludo.
15.6 Party Nicknames:    

An optional element that can add more personality to parties is party nicknames, which does not affect the competitive aspect of the game. Nicknames are unlocked by achieving different things with the party. Unlocks only stay with one party, and others will need to do so separately. This ruling is unless explicitly said otherwise by the nickname’s rules. They could be changed over time to reflect this. Below is the list of possible ones, along with instructions on how to unlock each one.

Recruit:
    
Unlocked as soon as the party sheet for this party is complete.

Veteran:
    
Unlocked after playing one game with the party.

Champion:
    
Unlocked after winning one game with the party.

Experienced:
    
Unlocked after you hit level 5. Once this is unlocked, you may use it with any party that you create.

Expert:
    
Unlocked after you hit level 6. Once this is unlocked, you may use it with any party that you create.

Librarian:
    
Unlocked when or after you own a copy of Ludicrous Ludo Complete Edition. Once this is unlocked, you may use it with any party that you create.​

Social:
    
Unlocked after participating in a Ludicrous Ludo tournament with the party (if there ever is one).

Metalist:
    
​Unlocked after placing within the top three at a Ludicrous Ludo tournament (if there ever is one) with the party.
​
46 more unlockable nicknames are contained within the Complete Version of Ludicrous Ludo.
15.7 Randomly Building a Party:    

In some of the upcoming chapters, there is an option to randomly assign certain aspects to a character, such as race, class, or weapons. Randomly building a party is typically done by die roll and often has its own set of rules. Please note that this is purely optional, but it could help players overcome decision fatigue or try out new customizations.