Chapter 23: Perks.​
Even within the same class, parties typically do not have the same training and skills related to combat. Perks is a mechanic that acknowledges this. Every party has at least three of them, which helps make them more unique compared to others. Some might be more athletic or more resistant to fire. These could tie into their backstory, such as being an athlete with the former or a firefighter with the latter (which is appropriate, because firefighters typically have ladders). This chapter explains the rules relating to perks.
23.1 Introduction to Perks:    

Perks represent training, experience, or features that make your party even more unique compared to other classes. It especially represents training and experience that a party’s class does not provide, which is seen as focusing more on a specific part of the world where this game takes place.
    
Every party gets to pick two perks from the lists contained in this chapter, not including the free one that they get from their class. A party may have more than 3 perks, which a party can acquire through class attributes, items like the sidearm knife, or other perks.

However, there are some limits to picking perks. A perk may only be picked once, unless specified otherwise. If one does say otherwise, there are often rules that need to be followed. Finally, perks are unlocked by level, and, if you choose to play with the leveling rules, a player must be the level listed underneath the name to select it.
There are also different types of perks, which the book will discuss more in this chapter. These different types have their own rules.

This section, “Ludicrous Ludo: Section 23.1”, is adapted from page 75 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 23.1” is under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
23.2 Picking Perks:    

Every party gets to gain two perks of the player’s choice within the game for free. The rules regarding perks and acquiring them must be followed. These two free ones do not include those gained from class features or from gaining a sidearm knife.
23.3 Perk Compatibility:    

Some perks may interact with other perks to function within the game. There are three cases where compatibility is an issue. They are the “Swap Perk Plus” and “Extra Homefield Advantage” perks, as well as the “Wish of Increased Ability” wish. Below each entry’s title and unlock criteria, but above its rules and effects, there will be three bullet points expressing compatibility. They are:
  • “Swap Perk Plus” Compatibility:
  • “Extra Homefield Advantage” Compatibility:
  • “Wish of Increased Ability” Compatibility:

“Swap Perk Plus” Compatibility:
    
A player can select this perk within the “Swap Perk Plus” perk. With homebrew rules, homebrewed perks may or may not be compatible. If homebrewed classes are being used, more base game entries may gain compatibility.

“Extra Homefield Advantage” Compatibility:
    
A player can select this perk within the “Extra Homefield Advantage” perk. When a perk is being used within “Extra Homefield Advantage,” it only affects your pieces that are currently within your homefield. With homebrew rules, homebrewed perks may or may not be compatible.

“Wish of Increased Ability” Compatibility:
    
This perk can be selected with the “Wish of Increased Ability” wish after using the Birthday Candle special combat item. With homebrew rules, homebrewed perks may or may not be compatible.
23.4 Perk List:

Extra Hard Stones:
Unlocked at Level 1.

  • “Swap Perk Plus” Compatibility: No.
  • “Extra Homefield Advantage” Compatibility: Yes.
  • “Wish of Increased Ability” Compatibility: Yes.

When one of your pieces lands an attack by throwing stones, the attack deals 1 extra point of normal attack damage.

Luck of the Sea: 
Unlocked at Level 1.
Perk Plus version available.
​
  • “Swap Perk Plus” Compatibility: Yes.
  • “Extra Homefield Advantage” Compatibility: Yes.
  • “Wish of Increased Ability” Compatibility: Yes.

Your party gains a +1 to all rolls to check if your party caught a fish or item from the fishing action. This perk does not affect rolls on the fishing table.  

Magic Innate: 
Unlocked at Level 1.
Perk Plus version available.

  • “Swap Perk Plus” Compatibility: Yes.
  • “Extra Homefield Advantage” Compatibility: No.
  • “Wish of Increased Ability” Compatibility: No.

You start the game with 3 spell cards instead of 1. If your maximum hand size is 2, you must use one of your cards on your very first turn, whether that is casting the spell or using it to get a piece out of your yard, if you can. If you are unable to do so due to the effects of Mind Break of the taunted condition, the card is simply discarded at the end of your turn instead.

Offensive:
Unlocked at Level 1.
Perk Plus version available.

  • “Swap Perk Plus” Compatibility: Yes.
  • “Extra Homefield Advantage” Compatibility: Yes.
  • “Wish of Increased Ability” Compatibility: Yes.

When your party eliminates a piece, you may make another movement roll. You may only benefit from this perk a maximum of once per turn.  

Quick Start: 
Unlocked at Level 1.
Perk Plus version available.

  • “Swap Perk Plus” Compatibility: Yes.
  • “Extra Homefield Advantage” Compatibility: No.
  • “Wish of Increased Ability” Compatibility: No.

You get to go first in turn order. If multiple characters have this perk, roll with the people who have this perk to see who goes first. In this case, the players may choose to change seats to fit this order. If your pieces in your party have different stats, this perk does nothing.

Stat Tradeoff:
Unlocked at Level 1.
Perk Plus version available.

  • “Swap Perk Plus” Compatibility: Yes.
  • “Extra Homefield Advantage” Compatibility: No.
  • “Wish of Increased Ability” Compatibility: No.

Choose one ability stat to increase by one. You may not increase an ability stat above +2. You must then pick a different ability stat to decrease by one. You may not increase an ability stat below -2. This perk can be taken multiple times, but the player must choose a different ability stat each time, which gains a point.

Superior range: 
Unlocked at Level 1.
Perk Plus version available.

  • “Swap Perk Plus” Compatibility: Yes.
  • “Extra Homefield Advantage” Compatibility: Yes.
  • “Wish of Increased Ability” Compatibility: Yes.

Your party gains an additional 1 space in range for your ranged weapons. If your pieces attack from a range of that extra square, you get a -4 penalty on the contest roll.  

Clerical Experience:
Unlocked at Level 2.

  • “Swap Perk Plus” Compatibility: No.
  • “Extra Homefield Advantage” Compatibility: No.
  • “Wish of Increased Ability” Compatibility: No.

Your party becomes proficient with the religious symbol special combat item. The party must still use a weapon slot to use the special combat item.

Comeback:
Unlocked at Level 2.
Perk Plus version available.

  • “Swap Perk Plus” Compatibility: Yes.
  • “Extra Homefield Advantage” Compatibility: No.
  • “Wish of Increased Ability” Compatibility: No.

When you have all your pieces in your start space or yard area, and three turns have passed where you could not move a piece out of the start square, this perk takes effect. You may use your action on the fourth turn to move a piece out of your start square.

Extra Engineering focus: 
Unlocked at Level 2.

  • “Swap Perk Plus” Compatibility: No.
  • “Extra Homefield Advantage” Compatibility: No.
  • “Wish of Increased Ability” Compatibility: No.

You may choose another engineering focus. Your party may not have more than a total of 2 engineering focuses.

Spell Proficiency:
Unlocked at Level 2.
Perk Plus version available.

  • “Swap Perk Plus” Compatibility: Yes.
  • “Extra Homefield Advantage” Compatibility: No.
  • “Wish of Increased Ability” Compatibility: No.

Choose 1 spell school to become proficient in. A player can take this perk multiple times, but the player must pick different spells to become proficient.

Twinned Movement:
Unlocked at Level 2.
Perk Plus version available.

  • “Swap Perk Plus” Compatibility: Yes.
  • “Extra Homefield Advantage” Compatibility: Yes.
  • “Wish of Increased Ability” Compatibility: Yes.

You may split the number of spaces moved between 2 pieces from up to 5 spaces away instead of just 3. If you use this perk, you may not use either of the moves to land on an enemy piece or move either piece into their home area.  

This section, “Ludicrous Ludo Free Edition: Section 23.4”, is adapted from pages 9 and 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 23.4” is under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

​28 more unlockable perks are contained within the Complete Edition of Ludicrous Ludo.
23.5 Randomly Picking a Perk:    

Refer to the following main table. If you receive a perk that you have not yet unlocked, either reroll or make an exception to the leveling and unlocking rules. If you roll a perk that you already have, refer to the extra table.
This section, “Ludicrous Ludo Free Edition: Section 23.5”, is adapted from pages 9 and 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 23.3” is under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
23.6 Spellcasting Perks:    

Spellcasting perks are special perks that allow a party to change which ability stat affects certain schools of magic. There are a couple of rules that need to be followed when gaining one of them. First, these take up a slot just like regular ones do. Second, your party must be able to cast spells in that school of magic. Finally, your party may only have a maximum of one of these perks selected, even if the one is a class’s free perk. You may decline your class’s free perk if you choose to do so.

Caster of Anger: 
Unlocked at Level 2.

  • “Swap Perk Plus” Compatibility: No.
  • “Extra Homefield Advantage” Compatibility: No.
  • “Wish of Increased Ability” Compatibility: Yes.

Your party may now use your neuroticism modifier instead of your magic modifier for School of Hex Magic spells.

Heart of Helpfulness: 
Unlocked at Level 2.

  • “Swap Perk Plus” Compatibility: No.
  • “Extra Homefield Advantage” Compatibility: No.
  • “Wish of Increased Ability” Compatibility: Yes.

Your party may now use your constitution modifier instead of your magic modifier for School of Healing Magic spells.
4 more unlockable spellcasting perks are contained within the Complete Edition of Ludicrous Ludo.
23.7 Randomly Picking a Spellcasting Perk:

Refer to the following main table. If you receive a perk that you have not yet unlocked, either reroll or make an exception to the leveling and unlocking rules.
23.8 Sidearm Knife Perks:    

You may use one or more of your perk slots for sidearm knife perks. They can change how the sidearm knife functions by giving it new abilities or buffs. A sidearm knife perk may only be picked once, unless specified otherwise. If one does say otherwise, there are often rules that need to be followed.

Knife Thrower:
Unlocked at Level 2.

  • “Swap Perk Plus” Compatibility: No.
  • “Extra Homefield Advantage” Compatibility: Yes.
  • “Wish of Increased Ability” Compatibility: Yes.

Your pieces are now able to make throwing attacks with this sidearm knife. Follow all of the regular rules for throwing attacks. The throw has a range of 3 spaces and does 1d6 damage.

Sneak Attack:
Unlocked at Level 2.

  • “Swap Perk Plus” Compatibility: No.
  • “Extra Homefield Advantage” Compatibility: Yes.
  • “Wish of Increased Ability” Compatibility: Yes.

When you have advantage on a weapon attack, you deal an extra 3 damage on a hit.
4 more unlockable sidearm knife perks are contained within the Complete Edition of Ludicrous Ludo.
23.9 Randomly Picking a Sidearm Knife Perk:    

Refer to the following main table. If you receive a perk that you have not yet unlocked, either reroll or make an exception to the leveling and unlocking rules.