Another thing about The Black Hack

An interesting feature of The Black Hack is that, where most RPGs manage character creation up, it manages the stats down. How? When you roll a stat of 15 or above on 3d6, you roll the next one on 2d6+2. And then you're allowed to swap two stats round.

It's easy to see why the game uses this system. Because just about every roll in The Black Hack is based on the six core stats, it's important that characters aren't overpowered in those areas. Whether for a save, an attack or to dodge an enemy attack, you have to roll under (not equal to) the relevant stat on a d20. So universally high stats make for a duller game - hence the limits.

I love this. Low stats reflect the pathetic aesthetic that Dr Bargle outlines in his tremendous rant. They create a world in which risks are real, dungeoneering is dangerous and victory may simply be survival.