the black hack

whack classes

by
vance atkins
(leicestersramble.blogspot.com)

based on the black hack 2nd edition

by david black

Charlie Vecchione (Order #21138910)

 eight classes for
david black's
the black hack 2nd edition
words by vance atkins
all artwork courtesy of the original artists

table of contents
alchemist
p. 2

bard
p.4

monk
p.5

ninja
p.6

plague doctor
p.7

ranger
p.8

tiefling
p.9

warlock
p.10

Charlie Vecchione (Order #21138910)

 alchemist
starting stats
Starting Hit Points (HP): Roll 1d4+4
Starting Hit Die (HD): 1d6
Usable Weapons & Armour: One-handed
weapons, cloth, leather
Attack Damage: 1d6 or 1d3 if unarmed

d6 curiosities
1 Philosopher's stone (probably fake)
2 Yeast and a coil of copper tubing
3 Bag of gall and kidney stones
4 Leyden jar and a dead frog
Parchments covered in geometric
5
studies
Jeshields
6 Lump of ambergris
poison resistance
equipment Roll with Advantage on CON saves vs poisons
Every Alchemist begins with a selection of or paralysis.
mysterious reagents. Also choose to start the
game with either A or B:
avid reader
Decipher an unknown written language with
• A - Long leather coat & bandoleer of
an INT Attribute Check. At 7HD, an
vials (AV2), 2 daggers, 3d6 coins &
Alchemist may read and use magic scrolls
purse, astrology text
with an INT Attribute Check.
• B – Wool greatcoat with myriads of
pockets (AV1), rapier, 5d4 coins & gaining a new level
purse, pouch of “fools gold” Acquire and share a number of Experiences
equal to your current HD to advance a Level.
alchemy kit When you gain a Level:
An Alchemist carries reagents and vessels for
synthesizing potions. The Alchemist may cook • Roll a D20 once for each Attribute - if
up one or more potions equivalent to their you roll over, it goes up one point, and
HD per day (i.e. two 1st level potions or one 2nd make an extra roll for either
level potion at 2HD) with an INT Attribute Intelligence or Constitution.
Check + 10 coins x potion level worth of • Gain 1HD - Roll 1d6 - gain that many
reagents. See potion table, below. additional HP.

Charlie Vecchione (Order #21138910)

 alchemist potions
Potions (and other useful concoctions) with a
temporary effect last Ud6 minutes unless
noted.
1st Level:
1. Animal Control: Control 1d4 animals
of fewer HD than user
2. Healing: Heals 1d8 HP
3. Slipperiness: When spread on a
surface, anyone crossing/climbing
must make a DEX save at
Disadvantage or fall prone
4. Smoke Bomb: Obscures Nearby
opponents' vision for one turn
5. Sneezing Dust: Nearby opponents
make a CON save or sneeze
uncontrollably for Ud4 turns
(Disadvantage on all actions)
2nd Level:
1. Diminution: Shrink to 6 to 12 inches
2. Growth: Grow to 3d8 feet tall.
3. Heroism: Advantage on attack and
damage rolls.
4. Levitation: Float above floor or surface,
may 'steer' by pushing off objects
5. Sleep Powder: Nearby opponents
equal to the Alchemist's HD make a
CON save or fall asleep for Ud4 turns
6. Spider Climb: Climb a sheer surface at
Advantage
7. Water Breathing: Breathe underwater
as normal
3rd Level:
1. Clairaudience: User may make any
hearing test at Advantage. Can not be
surprised.
2. Clairvoyance: User may see through a
solid surface to Nearby distance
3. Fire Resistance: Immune to normal
fire, Advantage on saves vs magical fire
attacks
4. Flying: Fly at up to running pace
Charlie Vecchione (Order #21138910)
5. Invisibility: Invisible to normal vision
6. Neutralize Poison: Negates 'lesser'
poisons, make save vs 'greater' poisons
at Advantage
7. Poison, lesser: Victim must make a
CON save or take 1d8 HP damage.
May be dosed on a weapon or in food/
drink.
4th Level:
1. Choking Powder: Nearby opponents
make a CON save or take 3d4 damage
2. Cure Disease: Cure effects of any
disease, including magically inflicted.
3. Giant Strength: Temporary 19 STR,
Advantage on damage rolls
4. Extra Healing: Heals 3d8 HP.
5. Invulnerability: Advantage on all
saving throws, opponents attack at
Disadvantage.
6. Undead Control: Control 1d4 undead
of fewer HD than user.
5th Level:
1. Gaseous Form: User's body (but not
worn clothing or equipment) becomes
gaseous, allowing passage through
small spaces.
2. Poison, greater: Victim must make a
CON save or take 3d8 HP damage.
May be dosed on a weapon or in food/
drink.
3. Treasure Finding: User may detect
significant treasure up to Faraway
distance.
6th Level:
1. Dragon Control: Control one dragon of
up to user's HD.
2. Ethereality: User (including worn
clothing or equipment) becomes
incorporeal, and may pass through
solid objects.
 bard
starting stats
Starting Hit Points (HP): Roll 1d6+2
Starting Hit Die (HD): 1d6
Usable Weapons & Armour: One-handed
weapons, staff, cloth, leather
Attack Damage: 1d6 or 1d4 if unarmed

d6 instrument
1 Lute https://www.deviantart.com/xinclord
2 Bagpipe
musical
3 Pan flute performance
4 Lyre Through instrumental and/or vocal
5 Hurdy-gurdy performance, a Bard may support allies or
affect opponents by the following means with
6 Kazoo a successful Charisma Attribute Test:
• Inspiration: Nearby allies gain
equipment Advantage on Attribute Tests.
Every Bard begins with a fabulous hat. Also • Charm: One opponent falls under the
choose to start the game with either A or B: Bard's influence consistent with the
spell
• A – Velvet frock coat (AV1), rapier, 4d4 • Bane: 1d6 Nearby opponents take
coins & purse, pages to an unfinished Disadvantage on Attribute Tests.
musical The effect lasts as long as the Bard is
• B – Rebellious black leather jacket performing, and they may not take any other
(AV2), wicked stiletto, 5d4 coins & actions. Being attacked by any means ends a
purse, packet of love letters performance.

strength of gaining a new level

personality
Roll with Advantage on INT saves vs charm,
fear, or other mind-control effects.
loremaster
Know a useful bit of information about the
current location, situation, or puzzle with a
successful Intelligence Attribute Test.
Acquire and share a number of Experiences
equal to your current HD to advance a Level.
When you gain a Level:
• Roll a D20 once for each Attribute - if
you roll over, it goes up one point, and
make an extra roll for Intelligence or
Charisma.
• Gain 1HD - Roll 1d6 - gain that many
additional HP.

Charlie Vecchione (Order #21138910)

 monk
starting stats
Starting Hit Points (HP): Roll 1d6+2
Starting Hit Die (HD): 1d4
Usable Weapons & Armour: Any and all
weapons, cloth only
Attack Damage: See “Martial Arts”
d6 martial school
1 Way of the Thrice-Coiled Serpent
2 Flying Palm Monastery
3 Path of the Womping Willow
4 Temple of the Kicking Mule
5 Mysteries of the Amorous Dragons
6 Knife-Fighting-Monkey Style
equipment
Every Monk begins with an alms bowl. Also
choose to start the game with either A or B:
• A – Heavy linen gi and belt of rank
(AV1), nunchucks, 4d4 coins & purse,
prayer beads
• B – Silken robes and breeches (AV1),
staff carved with koans, 3d6 coins &
purse, calligraphy set
monastic fortitude
Roll with Advantage on CON Attribute Tests
vs paralysis and poisons.
cat-like reflexes
A Monk rolls DEX Attribute Tests at
Advantage. If a Monk fails a DEX Attribute
Test to prevent a fall, any damage is still
rolled at Disadvantage, incurring the lesser
damage of the two rolls.
Charlie Vecchione (Order #21138910)
martial arts
Through strict physical training, a Monk adds
their HD to any unarmed attack damage
(1d4+HD).
Every three HD, a Monk may make an extra
unarmed attack per round (e.g. 2 attacks at
4HD, etc.).
Beginning at 2HD, a monk adds ½ their HD to
weapon attack damage (e.g. 1d6+2 at 4HD,
etc.)
mental discipline
A Monk may choose one of the following
“secret skills” taught by their master:
• Advantage on INT Attribute Tests vs
charms or other mind-control effects
• Advantage on healing HD rolls during
Resting
• Perform Roguish Talents equivalent to
a Thief
• Advantage on WIS Attribute Tests vs
surprise or searching/listening
• Advantage on CON Attribute Tests vs
heat or cold damage
• On an Attack roll of 1 or 2, the Monk
has a 25% chance to instantly kill an
opponent of fewer HD.
gaining a new level
Acquire and share a number of Experiences
equal to your current HD to advance a Level.
When you gain a Level:
• Roll a D20 once for each Attribute - if
you roll over, it goes up one point, and
make an extra roll for Constitution or
Dexterity.
• Gain 1HD - Roll 1d4 - gain that many
additional HP.
 ninja
starting stats
Starting Hit Points (HP): Roll 1d6+2
Starting Hit Die (HD): 1d6
Usable Weapons & Armour: One-handed
weapons, bows, cloth, leather
Attack Damage: 1d6 or 1d4 if unarmed

d6 sneaky shit
1 Smoke bombs (Ud6) (see Alchemist)
2 Silken knotted rope and grapple
3 Bag of caltrops (Ud6)
4 Sleep powder (Ud4) (see Alchemist)
Breathing tube and turtle shell with
5
chinstrap
https://www.deviantart.com/zipdraw
6 Disguise kit
artful dodger
equipment Roll with Advantage on the first defending roll
of any combat.
Every Ninja begins with a set of black
pajamas (AV1). Also choose to start the game killing blow
with either A or B:
The Ninja may Sneak Attack like a Thief. A
• A – Amigasa straw hat (+1 Armour Ninja has a 50% chance of instantly killing a
Die), ninjato sword, 2d8 coins & purse, Creature of the same HD, adjusted +/- 5% per
jar of 'strict secret medicine' HD below/above the Ninja's HD.
• B – Two Kunai (daggers), throwing
stars (Ud6), 3d6 coins & purse, book of gaining a new level
haiku Acquire and share a number of Experiences
equal to your current HD to advance a Level.
creeping around When you gain a Level:
Roll Attribute Tests with Advantage when
• Roll a D20 once for each Attribute - if
performing the following actions:
you roll over, it goes up one point, and
• Climbing make an extra roll for Dexterity or
• Listening and eavesdropping Strength.
• Moving silently and unseen • Gain 1HD - Roll 1d6 - gain that many
additional HP.

Charlie Vecchione (Order #21138910)

 plague doctor
starting stats
Starting Hit Points (HP): Roll 1d6+2
Starting Hit Die (HD): 1d6
Usable Weapons & Armour: One-handed
weapons, staffs, cloth, leather
Attack Damage: 1d6 or 1d4 if unarmed

d6 medical supplies
1 Jar of leeches
2 Odorous poultice
3 Flask of mercury
4 “Healing” crystals

Census of the dead from the last

5
town you “treated”
www.deviantart.com/dik-len-vay
6 Pet raven
disease resistance
Roll with Advantage on CON saves vs
equipment diseases or airborne miasmas.
Every Plague Doctor begins with a leather
‘Raven’ mask with the beak filled with aromatic killing rats in the
herbs. Also choose to start the game with
either A or B: dark
Roll to-hit and damage with Advantage when
• A - Long leather coat (AV2), short
fighting vermin (rats, bugs, etc.). Roll Panic!
sword/rapier, 2d8 coins and purse,
tests with Advantage.
stick with caduceus on the end
• B - Hooded waxed cotton cloak (AV1), gaining a new level
staff, 3d8 coins, glass vials filled with Acquire and share a number of Experiences
‘specimens' equal to your current HD to advance a Level.
When you gain a Level:
healing kit
A Plague Doctor also carries a small Black Bag • Roll a D20 once for each Attribute - if
you roll over, it goes up one point, and
with a variety of bandages and snake oils
make an extra roll for either
(Ud6). Heals 1d4 HP, or use with an INT
Constitution or Intelligence.
Attribute Check to cure a disease. Roll usage
die after each treatment. • Gain 1HD - Roll 1d6 - gain that many
additional HP.

Charlie Vecchione (Order #21138910)

 ranger
starting stats
Starting Hit Points (HP): Roll 1d6+6
Starting Hit Die (HD): 1d8
Usable Weapons & Armour: One-handed
weapons, bows, cloth, leather, chain, shield
Attack Damage: 1d6 or 1d4 if unarmed

d6 outdoor gear
1 Animal trap
2 Tent and groundcloth

3 Fishing hooks and line

4 100 ft rope and a dozen spikes
5 Snowshoes www.deviantart.com/kieronogorman

6 Ghillie suit favored enemy

equipment
Every Ranger begins with a sweet hunting
bow (Ud8 arrows). Also choose to start the
game with either A or B:
• A – Patched leather coat (AV2), small
shield (+1 Armour die), longsword, 3d6
coins & purse, hide of a rare beast
• B – Chain shirt (AV3), two hand/
throwing axes, 2d6 coins & purse,
signet ring of a lost empire
stealthy hunter
Roll Attribute Tests with Advantage when
performing the following actions:
• Tracking prey or a foe
• Climbing
• Moving silently and unseen
• Avoiding surprise or ambush
If the Ranger slays three of an enemy or beast
within their current HD of Experience, that foe
becomes a favored enemy, and the Ranger
gains Advantage on attack and defense rolls.
Successful attacks do double damage.
always prepared
If the party is in need of a Common/cheap
item during the adventure, the Ranger will
just happen to have one in their pack with a
successful WIS Attribute Test.
gaining a new level
Acquire and share a number of Experiences
equal to your current HD to advance a Level.
When you gain a Level:
• Roll a D20 once for each Attribute - if
you roll over, it goes up one point, and
make an extra roll for one Attribute of
your choice.
• Gain 1HD - Roll 1d8 - gain that many
additional HP.

Charlie Vecchione (Order #21138910)

 tiefling
starting stats
Starting Hit Points (HP): Roll 1d6+2
Starting Hit Die (HD): 1d6
Usable Weapons & Armour: All weapons,
cloth, leather.
Attack Damage: 1d6 or 1d4 if unarmed

d6 infernal mark
1 Horns
2 Cat eyes
3 Barbed tail
4 Cloven hooves
www.deviantart.com/kieronogorman
5 Red skin
6 Pick two demonic gift
The Tiefling may cast the following spells up
to their HD times per day with a successful
equipment Charisma Attribute Test :
Every Tiefling begins with a bag of chalk and
several black candles. Also choose to start the • Charm
game with either A or B: • Darkness
• Detect Magic
• A – Dragon-hide vest (AV2), wicked • Read Languages/Magic
scimitar, 2d6 coins & purse, lump of
sulphur demonic curse
• B – Elaborately embroidered waistcoat
Roll with Disadvantage on CHA Attribute
and studded cloak (AV2), pitchfork,
Tests for NPC reactions and parlay.
3d6 coins & purse, onyx puzzle box
that whispers demonically gaining a new level
hellish heritage Acquire and share a number of Experiences
equal to your current HD to advance a Level.
Roll with Advantage on CON saves vs fire- When you gain a Level:
based damage. A Tiefling may produce flame
once per day per HD. At 3HD, a Tiefling may • Roll a D20 once for each Attribute - if
cast a small (1d4 damage per HD) fireball you roll over, it goes up one point, and
once per day. make an extra roll for Constitution or
Charisma.
• Gain 1HD - Roll 1d6 - gain that many
additional HP.

Charlie Vecchione (Order #21138910)

 warlock
starting stats
Starting Hit Points (HP): Roll 1d4+1
Starting Hit Die (HD): 1d4
Usable Weapons & Armour: One-handed
sword, staff, dagger, cloth
Attack Damage: 1d4 or 1 if unarmed

d6 arcane patron
1 The Raven God source unknown, found on interwebs

2 Dark Sarah cantrips

3 The Tentacled Leviathan
4 The Hive Queen
5 Grundrig, Mother of the Lost Twins
6 The Spiked Master/Mistress
equipment
Every Warlock begins with a bag of divining
bones. Also choose to start the game with
either A or B:
• A – Cloak with fabulous collar (AV1),
staff topped with a skull, 2d8 coins &
purse, odd pulsing amulet
• B – Form-fitting catsuit and chrome
skullcap (AV1), wavy-bladed dagger,
5d4 coins & purse, pet boa constrictor
tacit casting
Beginning at 2HD, they may call any spell of
up to one level below their HD from the Void
with a successful Attribute Test (choose
Intelligence or Charisma). Once the effects of
the spell have been resolved, the Warlock
should make an Attribute Test – adding the
spell's level to the roll. They may call
additional spells until failing the roll.
The Warlock may cast from the following
cantrips up to their HD times per day with a
successful Attribute Test (choose Intelligence
or Charisma):
• Candle: A weak light illuminates to
Close range (Ud6 minutes)
• Dart: 1d3 damage to a Close or Nearby
target
• Fix: Assist a Close ally to re-roll a failed
Broken Armor die or to repair one
small item.
• Hand: Lift an item of up to one
Encumbrance for either Ud6 minutes or
up to Faraway distance
• Lock: Secure a door for Ud6 minutes
such that any Attribute Test to open it
is at Disadvantage
gaining a new level
Acquire and share a number of Experiences
equal to your current HD to advance a Level.
When you gain a Level:
• Roll a D20 once for each Attribute - if
you roll over, it goes up one point, and
make an extra roll for Intelligence or
Charisma.
• Gain 1HD - Roll 1d4 - gain that many
additional HP.

10

Charlie Vecchione (Order #21138910)

 DESIGNATION OF PRODUCT IDENTITY
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THE BLACK HACK, Copyright 2016, Gold Piece
Publications; Authors: David Black.
THE BLACK HACK SECOND EDITION, Copyright
2018, Gold Piece Publications; Authors: David Black.