Hack and Slash

Summary

Hack and slash is a Dungeon World basic move used when a character attacks an enemy in melee combat. The move requires the player to roll 2d6 and add their strength modifier. On a result of 10 or higher, the character deals their damage and avoids the enemy's attack. On a 7-9, the character deals damage but also suffers the enemy's attack or another consequence. On a 6 or less, the character fails and faces consequences determined by the GM.

The move serves as a straightforward melee attack option available to all characters, though it carries greater risk than specialized combat moves. As Shawn explained, choosing Hack and Slash over alternatives like Backstab means the attacker will do less damage and the enemy will have an opportunity to counterattack. In Session 2 of the campaign, hack and slash serves as the primary combat mechanic when Sucks and Vasso engage the hostile geese that have ransacked Dunko's Apartment.

Details

The hack and slash move follows Dungeon World's standard resolution system. A player rolls 2d6 and adds the modifier from their relevant stat (typically Strength for most melee attacks). The three possible outcomes are:

10+: An unmitigated success. The character deals their damage and avoids the enemy's attack entirely.
7-9: A partial success. The character deals damage but must also suffer the enemy's attack or accept another consequence chosen by the GM.
6 or less: A failure. The character does not deal damage and faces consequences.

When a character rolls for hack and slash, they roll their damage separately using their class's damage die if they achieve a 7 or higher. As demonstrated in Session 2, Sucks uses a d8 for damage rolls.

Characters can assist each other using the Aid move. In Session 2, when Sucks initially rolls a 6 on their hack and slash attempt against Geese at Dunko's Apartment, Vasso aids them by rolling 2d6 plus their bond with Sucks. Vasso achieves a 9, and with the bond modifier, reaches a total of 10, granting Sucks a +1 forward. This bonus transforms Sucks's failed roll of 6 into an effective 7, turning a failure into a partial success. As one participant notes during play: "That 10 plus means that he gets plus one to his roll, making his hack and slash a seven instead of a six."

The move requires the character to be in melee range and actively attacking. When Sucks attempts to use hack and slash, they ask: "Can somebody help me?" demonstrating the collaborative nature of Dungeon World's combat system.

Attribute: The move uses strength as its governing attribute, making it particularly effective for characters with high strength scores but potentially the only viable melee option for characters lacking dexterity.

History

Session 2

Hack and slash is introduced as the primary combat mechanic when the party discovers Geese at Dunko's Apartment have ransacked the apartment. Sucks attempts to use hack and slash against the geese, rolling 2d6 plus three plus one for a total of six. Recognizing this as a failure, Sucks asks for help from the party.

Vasso uses the Aid move to assist, rolling their bond with Sucks and achieving what is described as "an unmitigated success. So sucks gets a plus one." This +1 forward bonus converts Sucks's failed roll into a 7, allowing them to proceed with their attack. Sucks then rolls their damage using a d8, as specified by their class.

Both Vasso and Sucks employ hack and slash during the combat encounter with the geese, making it the fundamental offensive move for resolving the conflict in Dunko's Apartment.

Episode: "Session 5"

Sucks uses hack and slash to attack the Gordian's vine tentacles. When Shawn calls for the roll—"Make. Make that a hack and slash"—Sucks rolls 2d6 plus strength and gets a 10, a complete success. Rolling a d8 for damage, Sucks deals 7 damage. Shawn narrates the result: "You hack into it a couple times, and then you chop it loose."

Later in the same session, Vasso uses hack and slash against the Gordian itself. Vasso rolls a 7 on the hack and slash, which would normally mean taking damage from the enemy's counterattack. However, because Cat's earlier Called Shot immobilized the creature, Vasso deals damage without suffering harm in return. Vasso rolls a d10 for the base weapon damage, getting 9, then adds Exterminatus's bonus of 2d4, which yields 3 additional points for a total of 12 damage. This attack destroys the Gordian.

The session demonstrates both possible successful outcomes for hack and slash: the clean 10+ hit that Sucks achieves, and the 7-9 result that Vasso rolls, which would normally mean trading damage but is modified by battlefield conditions created by another character's move.

Episode: "Session 7"

Safia invoked hack and slash in an unusual context when she attacked the Pine Cone Man while transformed into a pigeon. After cuddling against him moments before, Erin declared Safia would peck at his face. Shawn confirmed this triggered hack and slash, explaining that the move was viable specifically because Safia was "in his face" as a bird—he noted that "if you're actually trying to, like, physically fight a person that's, like armed, you probably wouldn't be able to pull this off" as a normal-sized bird. The fictional positioning and proximity made the difference.

Safia rolled a total of 8 (after applying her strength modifier), achieving a 7-9 result. Following the standard mechanics, Shawn explained: "on a seven to nine with hack and slash. You deal your damage, but you're also going to take damage." Safia rolled her d6 for damage and dealt 4 points to the Pine Cone Man, while he rolled his own d6 and dealt 2 points back to her. This exchange of damage nearly broke Safia's concentration on her shapeshifting spell, demonstrating the mechanical risk of the 7-9 outcome when the character cannot avoid taking damage in return.

Episode: "Session 10"

During a combat situation in Session 10, Sucks considered using Hack and Slash instead of Backstab. The reason for this consideration was that Backstab uses dexterity, which Sucks does not have. Shawn confirmed that Sucks could use whatever move was preferred, stating "Yeah, you can use whatever you want". However, Shawn clarified the mechanical trade-offs: with Hack and Slash, "You'll do less damage and they will have the opportunity to hit you" compared to a successful Backstab.

Later in the same session, Vasso attempted to use Hack and Slash when striking an opponent with his sword's pommel. Shawn confirmed this would be resolved as a Hack and Slash roll, specifying it would be "2d6 plus strength." Vasso's roll resulted in a 3, one of the worst possible results on 2d6. The session also featured Shawn providing mechanical clarification to Dayna about the game's resolution system, explaining that every roll besides damage follows the "2d6 plus something" format.

Episode: "Session 11"

During the confrontation with The Mayor of New Smoke, Cat used Hack and Slash to strike the mayor after he had attacked Vasso. When Cat declared the attack—described as a punch—the GM called for the move. Cat rolled 2d6 with a Strength modifier of zero, achieving a total of 12. As Cat noted: "Hack and slash, I'm assuming is 2D6 plus dexterity. Oh, wow. I rolled 12 and my strength is zero."

Following the successful hit roll, Cat rolled for damage and achieved 7 points of damage, which was sufficient to knock The Mayor of New Smoke unconscious. This instance demonstrated the move's effectiveness even without attribute bonuses, showing how a strong roll can overcome mechanical disadvantages.