The Hackmaster sheeet looks like a game that I'd hesitate to run - it takes a third of a page to describe how good a character is with one weapon.  
 
But, given the game, the sheet is awesome.  The thick lines group things well.  the alternating colors/shades make it much easier to follow along the rows.  For the weapon, I like the rows to show what's going into the calculation but the small block of totals that would get used the most in actual play.  The hazmat symbol also seems to have color codings that match info below.

Quote from: Nicephorus;364272The Hackmaster sheeet looks like a game that I'd hesitate to run - it takes a third of a page to describe how good a character is with one weapon.

No you just need TWO numbers -- the ones listed in the HAZMAT to know how good you are at a weapon. (attack and damage).

That weapon box includes the history/steps in chargen that figure into those final numbers. You really don't need to refer it again until you level up or spend more building points improving your character.

The game itself is fairly simple. No to-hit charts or AC classes or any of that. You can run combat without any books/screen whatsoever.

But hey the name of the thread is 'don't judge a book by its cover'. I agree the sheet can seem daunting to anyone who hasn't rolled up a character. But it's really straight forward.

I can usually have a player up and running in 10 t 16 minutes. Just point to the HAZMAT basically and explain what the numbers are for and take it from there.

(Points at the Hackmaster sheet)

I like the little, fiddly "check," boxes; they remind me of my beloved 2nd ed. AD&D years (and by default, the TSR character sheets).