Ludo

Ludo is a timeless strategy board game adapted for Stacks Wars. Race your four pawns around the board and be the first to get all pawns home.

Objective

Move all four of your pawns from the starting position, around the board, and into your home zone before your opponents do. The first player to get all pawns home wins!

Game Setup

• Players: 2-4 players per game
• Board Size: Standard Ludo board with 4 colored zones
• Pawns: 4 pawns per player (red, green, blue, or yellow)
• Dice: Virtual 6-sided die
• Starting Position: All pawns begin in their home base

How to Play

Moving Pawns

1. Roll the Dice - Click the virtual die to roll (1-6)
2. Move a Pawn - Move any of your pawns forward by the number rolled
3. Select Destination - Click on the pawn you want to move, then click the destination
4. Complete Your Turn - Your move automatically validates; next player's turn begins

Key Movement Rules

Entering the Board

• To bring a pawn out of your home base, you must roll a 6
• Rolling a 6 gives you an extra turn immediately
• You can enter multiple pawns if you roll consecutive 6s

Moving Around the Board

• Pawns move clockwise around the board's outer track
• The board has 52 spaces per circuit
• Each player has a designated color section

Home Zone

• The home zone is a straight 6-space track at the end of your board section
• To enter your home zone, your pawn must complete the circuit
• You can only enter the home zone if you have an exact roll

Landing Exactly

• You must land exactly on the final home space to win with a pawn
• If your roll would overshoot home, your pawn bounces back (still in home zone)
• Example: 4 spaces from home and you roll 6 = you land on home space 2, not beyond

Capturing Opponent Pawns

Safe Zones

• Certain spaces on the board are marked as safe zones (usually colored spots)
• Pawns on safe zones cannot be captured
• Safe zones typically appear at:
  • Starting position
  • Every 6th square on the main board
  • The home zone

Capturing

• If you land on an opponent's pawn (on a non-safe space), you capture it
• The captured pawn returns to its home base
• Capturing is automatic - no choice required
• You get to roll again after capturing

Multiple Pawns on One Space

• Only one of your own pawns can occupy a space
• If you have multiple pawns, they must be on different spaces

Gameplay Examples

Example 1: Rolling a 6

Your Turn: Roll = 6
- Bring one pawn from home base to space 1 on the board
- You get an extra roll

Extra Roll: Roll = 4
- Move the same pawn 4 spaces forward to space 5
- Your turn ends, next player plays

Example 2: Capturing an Opponent

Your Pawn: Currently on space 23
Opponent's Pawn: On space 25 (not a safe zone)
Your Roll: 2

- Move your pawn from 23 → 25
- You land on the opponent's pawn
- Opponent's pawn captured and returns home
- You get an extra roll immediately

Example 3: Entering Home Zone

Your Pawn: About to complete the circuit (52 spaces traveled)
Your Roll: 3

- Move pawn from space 51 → space 52 → home space 1 → home space 2
- Pawn is now safely in your home zone
- Continue with remaining pawns or next turn

Strategy Tips

Early Game

• Roll 6s to bring multiple pawns out quickly
• Position pawns to block opponents' paths when possible
• Take safe spaces when you can

Mid Game

• Focus on one pawn at a time to advance toward home
• Use safe zones strategically to protect leading pawns
• Capture opponents' pawns when they're near safe zones

Late Game

• Get the exact roll needed to move into home
• Protect pawns already in the home zone
• Speed up remaining pawns in the final push

Advanced Tactics

• Create "blockades" with two of your pawns on adjacent spaces
• Force opponents to use extra dice rolls elsewhere
• Time your home zone entry carefully

Scoring

• First to Home: Wins the game and receives 100% of the pot
• Second Place: Receives 50% of participation bonus (if applicable)
• Third Place: Receives 25% of participation bonus
• Leaderboard Points: Wars Points awarded based on placement

Common Questions

Q: What happens if I roll a 6 but can't move?

• You still get another turn, but your pawns stay in their current positions

Q: Can I move backward?

• No, all movement is clockwise only around the board

Q: What if I roll and have no legal moves?

• Your turn ends immediately and passes to the next player
• You do NOT get another roll

Q: Can I land on my own pawn?

• No, you cannot move a pawn to a space occupied by another of your pawns

Q: How do ties work?

• If two players get all pawns home on the same turn, the player who moved first wins

Q: Can I choose not to move?

• No, you must move if legal moves are available

Q: What's the time limit per turn?

• You have 60 seconds to complete your move
• After 60 seconds, an automatic move is made