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Black Sword Hack

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BLACK SWORD HACK is a dark fantasy roleplaying game inspired by books such as Michael Moorcock's Stormbringer or Karl Edward Wagner's Kane series. It is a stand-alone game that uses the Black Hack 2nd edition as a foundation and adds a few tweaks.

  • There are no classes, characters are built according to their origins (Barbarian, Civilized or Decadent).
  • Tools are included to help you build your own dark fantasy world
  • You'll find rules for dangerous spells, demon pacts, spirit alliances, twisted science, rune weapons as well as ship navigation and combat.
  • To help you start right away, the game comes with an introductory adventure: Scalpel Surprise.

As with our other games, you should be able to read the whole game and run your first adventure on the same day you got it!

PREMIUM COLOR VERSION: the book is still in black and white but the premium color options allows for thicker paper and better print quality overall.

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Reviews (10)
Discussions (29)
Customer avatar
Michał U March 10, 2024 5:53 pm UTC
Is this the same version, as the one with the guy holding a sword on the cover?
(the one that have all the reviews on YT for example)
Reply
Customer avatar
Alexandre J March 11, 2024 10:12 am UTC
PUBLISHER
No, you refer to the Ultimate Chaos Edition published by the Merry Mushmen.
Customer avatar
Diego B March 03, 2024 11:27 pm UTC
What rule do you use for dual wielding? Advantage on damage roll (just like 2 handed) or what?
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Customer avatar
Alexandre J March 04, 2024 10:09 am UTC
PUBLISHER
Yes I'd use that (and make it a talent).
Reply
Customer avatar
Diego B March 04, 2024 1:42 pm UTC
Thank you Alexandre.
Customer avatar
Seth T October 06, 2023 3:15 am UTC
I have a quick overview of Black Sword Hack, and you can find the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUqUWDSE6CQ
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Customer avatar
Alexandre J November 04, 2023 1:07 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Thank you!
Customer avatar
Gianfranco B August 11, 2023 7:05 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Hi, I have some doubts about the initiative rule and the actions per turn. If I make a critical test when rolling for initiative, I have three actions but if I make twice the same action I have to check doom. So what is the purpose of giving 3 actions when critical for initiative?
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Customer avatar
Alexandre J August 26, 2023 11:46 am UTC
PUBLISHER
The purpose is to be able to act three times instead of two. Clever players usually know how to make it work to their advantage.
Customer avatar
Andrea Tupac M June 22, 2023 7:33 am UTC
Hi guys! A quick info, please: is the "Premium Color Book" the same as the "Ultimate Chaos Edition"? Thanks!
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Customer avatar
Ruben Z June 28, 2023 9:27 pm UTC
I don't think so. The Black Sword Hack – Ultimate Chaos Edition has a different cover and it seems, that it is only sold on the website of the Merry Mushmen, like the Folklore Bestiary.
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Customer avatar
Alexandre J August 01, 2023 1:31 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
That's correct, thank you Ruben.
Customer avatar
Richard H June 08, 2023 7:22 pm UTC
Would his be suited to solo play?
Customer avatar
Justin M November 30, 2022 2:47 am UTC
PURCHASER
I hear there is a Kickstarter? December 13th?
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Customer avatar
Alexandre J December 04, 2022 10:53 am UTC
PUBLISHER
For a second edition, that's correct !
Reply
Customer avatar
James L December 13, 2022 10:30 pm UTC
Will there be a breakdown of what's going to be different between going from 1st to 2nd edition? Basically, why a second edition?
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Customer avatar
Julien V December 14, 2022 2:23 pm UTC
This is, of course, adressed on the kickstarter page.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/896102915/black-sword-hack-ultimate-chaos-edition/description
Customer avatar
Alex W March 05, 2022 11:59 pm UTC
Is there a revised version planned/in-process? I was waiting for the new POD option, but the review I recently heard mentioned a number of typos -- does the pending new POD version include updates or is it the same text as the last updated 2020-10-13 version?
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Customer avatar
Alexandre J March 09, 2022 8:38 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Same version as before.
Customer avatar
jeremy W March 03, 2022 1:11 am UTC
PURCHASER
POD version? I ordered a print copy a few weeks ago, got a message from the printer saying title on hold. and now there's no print option?
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Customer avatar
Alexandre J March 04, 2022 10:37 am UTC
PUBLISHER
Hello Jeremy, seems the printer suddenly had problems priting the book. I uploaded new files with corrections asked by the printer. It's currently under verification by the printer. Once they're validated, the POD will be available again (usually the process can take up to one week).
Customer avatar
Giovanni D February 25, 2022 8:14 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Hello, i have some questions about spells: Anyone can cast a spell? How many spells have a character by default?How can he learn them? Sorry for the bad english and good job!
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Customer avatar
Alexandre J March 02, 2022 3:22 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
You need to have a specific talent to cast a spell (either at character creation or later with experience). You can start the game with up to 4 spelles, other spells must be discovered/learned through play.
Customer avatar
Vincent B January 17, 2022 5:46 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Hello, is there a french edition ?
Thanks for the game.
Reply
Customer avatar
Alexandre J January 20, 2022 12:16 am UTC
PUBLISHER
Not yet but things might change in 2022 :)
Reply
Customer avatar
Vincent B January 20, 2022 5:38 am UTC
PURCHASER
Merci ;-)
Customer avatar
Jeremy H December 15, 2021 2:39 am UTC
PURCHASER
Hello. Would you guys help me boost my current Kickstarter? I'm putting together a third volume of monsters for Black Hack. I have two other volumes here on DriveThru. it's been a few years since I published those and hope to get some additional exposure via the current crop of Black Hackers. Thanks! :^)
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Customer avatar
Alexandre J January 10, 2022 1:01 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Probably read that too late but I'm a big fan of your art.
Reply
Customer avatar
Jeremy H January 20, 2022 11:12 am UTC
PURCHASER
No worries. I'll probably release another volume soon. I have a lot of material to work from. I like the direction you and Lakeside Games are going with the Black Hack. The work of you two (+Heroic Fantasy and Super Hack) has inspired me to convert my campaigns to the Black Hack system. It had been quite some time since I ran it, but I think it works really well for online play. Players always know (pretty much) their target number (Attribute scores) and the rules are quite simple even when you bolt on a Skill/Feat system. We're currently playing a very house-ruled version of Rad Hack and loving it.

Have you ever played Super Hack (from Simon Burley)? I'm pondering a few things regarding that one but he doesn't seem to responding to questions in the Discussion section of his books lately.

Oh, and thanks for the kind words regarding my art. Perhaps we could collaborate on a project someday?
Reply
Customer avatar
Alexandre J April 20, 2022 3:57 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
I'm not a big super hero rpg aficionado so I can't really say (though Golden Heores by the same author is quite good).
As for a common project down the line, yeah, I'm pretty sure we'll do something together!
Customer avatar
Umberto P August 20, 2021 6:48 am UTC
PURCHASER
Yesternight we played our first session and we had a doubt about casting spells. The text says:

"Make an INT test. If the spell was already cast on the same day, roll with Disadvantage. A failure also means the spell cannot be cast before the character has taken a long rest."

What is the correct interpretation?

a)I cast a spell (which succeeds), then I make an INT Test (with Disadvantage if it was already cast on the same day). A failure means the spell cannot be cast before the character has taken a long rest.

b)I make an INT test (with Disadvantage if it was already cast on the same day). IF SUCCESSFUL the spell is cast (otherwise it fails). A failure means the spell cannot be cast before the character has taken a long rest.

Thanks in advance :)!


PS We spot a problem on page 36. "Acid spray" isn't bold, has no cost, and should be in a separate paragraph.
Reply
Customer avatar
Alexandre J August 28, 2021 6:53 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Thanks for your remarks Umberto !

The correct interpretation is:

b)I make an INT test (with Disadvantage if it was already cast on the same day). IF SUCCESSFUL the spell is cast (otherwise it fails). A failure means the spell cannot be cast before the character has taken a long rest.


Customer avatar
Umberto P July 03, 2021 4:12 pm UTC
PURCHASER
A couple of questions:
1)what is the cost of armors? do characters start with any?
2)If I understood correctly, the heroes always do 1d6 damage by default, right and they have a number of HP ranging from 8 to 28 (at 10th level with 18 CON). Monsters instead do a flat damage number and from 4th level they do 7 damage or more and have 20 HP. I think it is unbalanced, but maybe I missed something.
Reply
Customer avatar
Alexandre J July 06, 2021 11:41 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Hi Umberto

1. d6 coins light armor (p.18), d6X10 for medium, d6x100 for heavy.
2. Correct for character damage. As for the "unbalanced" part, yes, high level monsters are a challenge even for high level adventurers, that's intentional.
Reply
Customer avatar
Umberto P July 08, 2021 1:01 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Thank you!
Customer avatar
James T March 16, 2021 3:55 am UTC
PURCHASER
This is a fantastic game. I am a bit confused on how Doom rolls work. Is there a way you could explain it with examples? Thank you.
Reply
Customer avatar
Alexandre J March 24, 2021 12:22 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Of course:

1st example:
Your character is fighting and you decide to use your two actions to attack. If you use the same action twice you must roll Doom. On a 1 or 2 the Doom dice degrades.

2nd example:
During that combat, you really wish to bring the pain to your enemy and you decide to "invite Doom": you roll your Doom die and add the result to the damage you inflict. But in that case the Doom die automatically degrades.

3rd example
At another a moment you use a Gift or Talent that requires you to roll a Doom die. It degrades on a roll of 1 or 2.

The point is: most of the time, as a player you decide, most of the time, when to roll the Doom die.

Hope that helps.
Reply
Customer avatar
James T March 30, 2021 12:25 am UTC
PURCHASER
Thank you!
Customer avatar
Joan M December 04, 2020 9:54 am UTC
PURCHASER
Hi! Great game!
I have some doubts after reading the manual:
- How defense works? it counts as the number of actions a character can do?
- Enemies have 3 different actions, but are they restricted to also 2 actions?
- How would be your approach to add a rule for creating demon weapons or demon armors like in stormbringer game? do you think this will be too unbalancing?

Thank you!
Reply
Customer avatar
Alexandre J December 04, 2020 3:54 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Hi, thanks for the kind words. As for your questions:
_you can defend as much as you need during combat, that doesn't count against your number of actions.
_enemies only have two actions. Three are described to allow some variety.
_this would go against the game's atmosphere... But that's just my opnion. If you want to do it, here are a few guidelines: Tying a demon to a weapon or armor requires a Doom roll and the sacrifice of an attribute point (two if you get a 1 or 2 on your Doom roll). A failed attack roll with such a weapon costs you 1 HP for each failure. Same goes with a failed parry or defense if you have a demonic armor. Demons don't take weakness kindly. Adapt, change and tweak as much as you need.
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Product Information
Platinum seller
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Pages
75
File Size:
5.5 MB
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File Last Updated:
October 13, 2020
This title was added to our catalog on October 05, 2020.