How to play Hooklash

Hooklash is a free team brawl for 2 to 8 players, right in your browser. Two crews, two shores, one river nobody can wade. Everyone carries a chain hook: bite an enemy, drag them over to your side and rip them, pull your friends home, and fish runes out of the water.

The goal

Red crew against Blue crew, up to 4 a side. Your crew holds one bank, theirs the other. Knock an enemy down and your crew scores a takedown; they come back a few seconds later on their own shore. The first crew to 10 takedowns wins, or the crew ahead after 4 minutes (level: overtime, the next takedown wins).

Controls

📱 Phone and tablet

  • Drag on the left side of the screen to walk.
  • Tap HOOK to throw at the best target in reach, or drag from it to aim yourself.
  • Tap BLINK to hop where you're heading, or drag from it to aim.

🖱️ Computer

  • Click to walk, or use WASD / the arrow keys.
  • Right-click, Q or Space throws your hook at the cursor.
  • E, Shift or F blinks toward the cursor, across the river too.

The hook

Your hook flies in a straight line and comes back every 3 s. A miss isn't over: on its way back it still bites whoever gets in its way. What it bites decides what happens:

  • An enemy: 25 damage on the bite, then you reel them across the river to your side. The farther you drag them, the more the rip hurts (up to 40 more). Then your whole crew is waiting.
  • A teammate: they ride the chain home, safe. Use it when a friend gets dragged over.
  • A rune: it's yours (see below).
  • Another hook: the two clash in the air and both snap back empty.

Blink

Blink hops you a short way toward where you aim, every 6.5 s. If the far bank is in reach, it takes you across the river: the way home after you get dragged over, or a surprise visit to their shore.

Runes

Runes float down the river. Nobody can walk to them, so hook one to take it:

  • Haste: faster feet and a faster hook for a few seconds.
  • Rage: your next 2 hooks hit twice as hard.
  • Mend: back to full health.
  • Swift: your hook flies and reels in much faster for a few seconds.
  • Reach: your hook flies half as far again for a few seconds.
  • Veil: the other crew can't see you until you throw your hook (or get bitten), up to 15 seconds.
  • Mire (purple waves): a bad catch. Your own hook crawls for a few seconds, so leave it in the river.

Tips

  • Lead your target: aim where they'll be, not where they are.
  • Hook from far away: a long drag rips harder than a short one.
  • Keep moving sideways along your bank. A brawler standing still is a free bite.
  • Save Blink for when you get dragged over. Otherwise wait for a teammate to hook you home.
  • Watch the river: a Rage rune before a big fight can decide it.
  • Just came back? Hooks pass straight through you for a moment. Use it to get into position.

Questions

Is Hooklash free?
Yes. It's free to play in your browser: no download, no signup, no ads.
Does it work on phones?
Yes, on phones, tablets and computers. On a phone, turn it sideways. You get a stick to walk and HOOK and BLINK buttons: tap to auto-aim, drag to aim yourself.
How do I play with friends?
Open the game, tap Play with friends and share the room link. Friends who open it join your room, and the host picks when to start.
Are there bots?
Yes. Bots fill each crew up to 3 a side so a match can always start, and they're always labeled as bots. A room holds up to 8 players, 4 a side.
How do I win?
The first crew to 10 takedowns wins the match. If neither gets there in 4 minutes, the crew ahead wins; level, the next takedown wins.
Do I need an account?
No. Your name and level are saved on your device.

Ready? Bots are always waiting for a match.

▶ Play Hooklash

Like knocking people around? Try Hexpelled, our wizard brawl over the lava.