In DCC RPG, player characters are not created by staying up all night devising a unique and interesting backstory. You roll up 0-level untrained and uneducated peasants and play that unique backstory out. We highly suggest each player roll up multiple 0-level characters – at least three, possibly more. Don't get attached. Characters that survive their first dungeon then choose classes and become worth remembering.

Character creation in DCC RPG follows these steps:

1. Determine ability scores; 3d6 in order for each. Note ability modifiers on Table 1-1. The abilities are Strength, Agility, Stamina, Intelligence, Personality, Luck.
2. Determine hit points; roll 1d4, adjusted by Stamina modifier.
3. Determine Lucky sign; roll 1d30, adjusted by Luck modifier on Table 1-2. The resultant Lucky Roll modifier associated with that Lucky Sign is permanent and does not change later when Luck is spent.
4. Determine 0-level occupation; roll 1d100 on Table 1-3. This result will tell the character's 0-level starting weapon and trade goods.
5. Choose an alignment.
6. Determine starting money; roll 5d12 copper pieces.
7. 0-level characters come with some starting equipment, including occupation weapon and trade goods, and one randomly determined piece of equipment from Table 3-3. Level-0 characters may also purchase or barter additional equipment, if able.
8. Attempt to survive your first dungeon. If you survive and reach 10 XP, you advance to 1st level. At this point, you choose a class.

Weapon Training

All 0-level characters are trained in the one weapon they possess from their former occupation. If a 0-level character handles multiple weapons over his career, he is considered trained in the last weapon he fought with. At 1st level, a character gains training in additional weapons, based on the class he chooses. 

Generally, using a weapon without training imposes an attack penalty. However, this penalty is waived for 0-level characters. It is assumed that their naturally poor combat abilities reflect equal incompetence with the martial use of all weapons.

Trade Goods

Novice adventurers typically hail from mundane backgrounds. The economics of a feudal setting involve more barter than coinage. The typical farmer or woodcutter may sustain his family for years of trade without ever setting eye on a metal coin. All 0-level characters start with trade goods of some kind, as indicated on table 1-3. These may be useful in the dungeon or may provide a starting point for trading up to a better status in life. In addition to their trade goods, each 0-level character starts with one randomly determined piece of adventuring equipment. Roll 1d24 on table 3-3 for each character.

Alignment

Experience Points and Level Advancement

As a character completes adventures, he practices his skills and becomes more talented. Characters earn experience points (XP) that allow them to progress in level. 

Basics of the XP System: The DCC RPG experience system works as follows:

• All character classes use the same advancement table.
• Each encounter is worth from 0 to 4 XP, and those XP are not earned merely by killing monsters, disarming traps, looting treasure, or completing a quest. Rather, successfully surviving encounters earns the characters XP in DCC RPG. A typical encounter is worth 2 XP, and the system scales from 0 to 4 depending on difficulty.
• All characters that participate in the encounter receive the same XP.
• The judge determines how much XP is awarded.
• Characters level up when they reach the XP threshold for the next level.
• The level thresholds become progressively higher. The number of “average adventures” required to advance to each subsequent level is higher than the preceding level.

The Character Creation Funnel

Some role playing games codify “game balance” in an abundance of character options. The DCC RPG takes an anachronistic approach to this concept by pursuing an even playing field through randomization rather than complexity. The character creation steps that follow generate a play style unlike anything you have experienced in the last twenty-odd years – provided you follow the steps precisely. Omit any element, and you’ll find that the process does not work. Here is why.

DCC RPG generates characters using what the author refers to as a “funnel.” First, each player generates at least two, and possibly as many as four, 0-level characters. It is critical that the characters be generated using the process as described: completely random ability scores, random occupation, random Luck modifier, and random equipment. Each player ends up with an assortment of characters who could potentially serve as several different classes. When all characters are generated, have the players go around the table and introduce their 0-level peons to their peers.

The “funnel” takes place in 0-level play. During the first 0-level game, it is expected each player will lose some or most of his characters. When mere peasants and yeomen explore deadly dungeons, a high mortality rate is a matter of course. By the end of the first game, the players will be left with a motley crew of survivors, and this group of heroic adventurers becomes the 1st-level party.

Using this method of highly random character results, high mortality rates, and player choices as to which of their randomly-generated characters takes risks and which stays safe, you, the judge, will find you have a party of randomly generated characters in which the players have agency. There are essentially no opportunities for min-max play, and yet players find themselves attached to their plucky little serfs who have done such amazing deeds at low levels. Their 0-level exploits will define them forever with great deeds completed at great risk. The author strongly encourages you to begin play using the method as described here exactly. Give it a chance; you may find you like it.

Tables

Table 1-1: Ability Score Modifiers

Ability Score	Modifier	Wizard Spells Known	Max Spell Level**
3	-3	No spellcasting possible	No spellcasting possible
4	-2	-2 spells*	1
5	-2	-2 spells*	1
6	-1	-1 spell*	1
7	-1	-1 spell*	1
8	None	No adjustment	2
9	None	No adjustment	2
10	None	No adjustment	3
11	None	No adjustment	3
12	None	No adjustment	4
13	+1	No adjustment	4
14	+1	+1 spell	4
15	+1	+1 spell	5
16	+2	+1 spell	5
17	+2	+2 spells	5
18	+3	+2 spells	5

* Minimum of 1 spell.

** Based on Intelligence for wizards and Personality for clerics.

Table 1-2: Luck Score

d30	Birth Augur and Lucky Roll
1	Harsh winter: All attack rolls
2	The bull: Melee attack rolls
3	Fortunate date: Missile fire attack rolls
4	Raised by wolves: Unarmed attack rolls
5	Conceived on horseback: Mounted attack rolls
6	Born on the battlefield: Damage rolls
7	Path of the bear: Melee damage rolls
8	Hawkeye: Missile fire damage rolls
9	Pack hunter: Attack and damage rolls for 0-level starting weapon
10	Born under the loom: Skill checks (including thief skills)
11	Fox’s cunning: Find/disable traps
12	Four-leafed clover: Find secret doors
13	Seventh son: Spell checks
14	The raging storm: Spell damage
15	Righteous heart: Turn unholy checks
16	Survived the plague: Magical healing*
17	Lucky sign: Saving throws
18	Guardian angel: Savings throws to escape traps
19	Survived a spider bite: Saving throws against poison
20	Struck by lightning: Reflex saving throws
21	Lived through famine: Fortitude saving throws
22	Resisted temptation: Willpower saving throws
23	Charmed house: Armor Class
24	Speed of the cobra: Initiative
25	Bountiful harvest: Hit points (applies at each level)
26	Warrior’s arm: Critical hit tables**
27	Unholy house: Corruption rolls
28	The Broken Star: Fumbles**
29	Birdsong: Number of languages
30	Wild child: Speed (each +1/-1 = +5’/-5’ speed)

* If a cleric, applies to all healing the cleric performs. If not a cleric, applies to all magical healing received from other sources.

** Luck normally affects critical hits and fumbles. On this result, the modifier is doubled for purposes of crits or fumbles.

Table 1-3: Occupation

Roll	Occupation	Trained Weapon†	Trade Goods
01	Alchemist	Staff	Oil, 1 flask
02	Animal trainer	Club	Pony
03	Armorer	Hammer (as club)	Iron helmet
04	Astrologer	Dagger	Spyglass
05	Barber	Razor (as dagger)	Scissors
06	Beadle	Staff	Holy symbol
07	Beekeeper	Staff	Jar of honey
08	Blacksmith	Hammer (as club)	Steel tongs
09	Butcher	Cleaver (as axe)	Side of beef
10	Caravan guard	Short sword	Linen, 1 yard
11	Cheesemaker	Cudgel (as staff)	Stinky cheese
12	Cobbler	Awl (as dagger)	Shoehorn
13	Confidence artist	Dagger	Quality cloak
14	Cooper	Crowbar (as club)	Barrel
15	Costermonger	Knife (as dagger)	Fruit
16	Cutpurse	Dagger	Small chest
17	Ditch digger	Shovel (as staff)	Fine dirt, 1 lb.
18	Dock worker	Pole (as staff)	1 late RPG book
19	Dwarven apothecarist	Cudgel (as staff)	Steel vial
20	Dwarven blacksmith	Hammer (as club)	Mithril, 1 oz
21	Dwarven chest-maker	Chisel (as dagger)	Wood, 10 lbs.
22	Dwarven herder	Staff	Sow**
23-24	Dwarven miner	Pick (as club)	Lantern
25	Dwarven mushroom-farmer	Shovel (as staff)	Sack
26	Dwarven rat-catcher	Club	Net
27-28	Dwarven stonemason	Hammer	Fine stone, 10 lbs.
29	Elven artisan	Staff	Clay, 1 lb.
30	Elven barrister	Quill (as dart)	Book
31	Elven chandler	Scissors (as dagger)	Candles, 20
32	Elven falconer	Dagger	Falcon
33-34	Elven forester	Staff	Herbs, 1 lb.
35	Elven glassblower	Hammer (as club)	Glass beads
36	Elven navigator	Shortbow	Spyglass
37-38	Elven sage	Dagger	Parchment and quill pen
39-47	Farmer*	Pitchfork (as spear)	Hen**
48	Fortune-teller	Dagger	Tarot deck
49	Gambler	Club	Dice
50	Gongfarmer	Trowel (as dagger)	Sack of night soil
51-52	Grave digger	Shovel (as staff)	Trowel
53-54	Guild beggar	Sling	Crutches
55	Halfling chicken butcher	Hand axe	Chicken meat, 5 lbs.
56-57	Halfling dyer	Staff	Fabric, 3 yards
58	Halfling glovemaker	Awl (as dagger)	Gloves, 4 pairs
59	Halfling gypsy	Sling	Hex doll
60	Halfling haberdasher	Scissors (as dagger)	Fine suits, 3 sets
61	Halfling mariner	Knife (as dagger)	Sailcloth, 2 yards
62	Halfling moneylender	Short sword	5 gp, 10 sp, 200 cp
63	Halfling trader	Short sword	20 sp
64	Halfling vagrant	Club	Begging bowl
65	Healer	Club	Holy water, 1 vial
66	Herbalist	Club	Herbs, 1 lb.
67	Herder	Staff	Herding dog**
68-69	Hunter	Shortbow	Deer pelt
70	Indentured servant	Staff	Locket
71	Jester	Dart	Silk clothes
72	Jeweler	Dagger	Gem worth 20 gp
73	Locksmith	Dagger	Fine tools
74	Mendicant	Club	Cheese dip
75	Mercenary	Longsword	Hide armor
76	Merchant	Dagger	4 gp, 14 sp, 27 cp
77	Miller/baker	Club	Flour, 1 lb.
78	Minstrel	Dagger	Ukulele
79	Noble	Longsword	Gold ring worth 10 gp
80	Orphan	Club	Rag doll
81	Ostler	Staff	Bridle
82	Outlaw	Short sword	Leather armor
83	Rope maker	Knife (as dagger)	Rope, 100’
84	Scribe	Dart	Parchment, 10 sheets
85	Shaman	Mace	Herbs, 1 lb.
86	Slave	Club	Strange-looking rock
87	Smuggler	Sling	Waterproof sack
88	Soldier	Spear	Shield
89-90	Squire	Longsword	Steel helmet
91	Tax collector	Longsword	100 cp
92-93	Trapper	Sling	Badger pelt
94	Urchin	Stick (as club)	Begging bowl
95	Wainwright	Club	Pushcart***
96	Weaver	Dagger	Fine suit of clothes
97	Wizard’s apprentice	Dagger	Black grimoire
98-100	Woodcutter	Handaxe	Bundle of wood

† If a missile fire weapon (such as sling or dart), roll 1d6 to determine number of sling stones or darts.

* Roll 1d8 to determine farmer type: (1) potato, (2) wheat, (3) turnip, (4) corn, (5) rice, (6) parsnip, (7) radish, (8) rutabaga.

** Why did the chicken cross the hallway? To check for traps! In all seriousness, if the party includes more than one farmer or herder, randomly determine the second and subsequent farm animals for each duplicated profession with 1d6: (1) sheep, (2) goat, (3) cow, (4) duck, (5) goose, (6) mule.

*** Roll 1d6 to determine what’s in the cart: (1) tomatoes, (2) nothing, (3) straw, (4) your dead, (5) dirt, (6) rocks.

Table 1-4: XP Level Thresholds

Zero-level characters start at 0 XP. The indicated level of XP is necessary to achieve each new level. For example, a 0-level character becomes a 1st-level warrior when he reaches 10 XP, a 2nd-level warrior when he reaches 50 XP, a 3rd-level warrior when he reaches 110 XP, and so on.

Level	XP Required
0	0
1	10
2	50
3	110
4	190
5	290
6	410
7	550
8	710
9	890
10	1090