Backstab
The backstab ability is a Thief-only attack from the shadows at melee using Death from Above.
Weapon choice
- Only Light Edged weapons or Medium Edged weapons may be used.
- Maximum weapon weight for backstabbing with a medium edge is the smaller of 30 stones or your current Strength. Maximum weapon weight for backstabbing with a light edge is 30 stone (no strength check).
- Light Edged weapons will do less damage and is more likely to hit than Medium Edged weapons of equivalent skill. Conversely, a Medium edge weapon is more difficult to hit with, but does significantly more damage.
- Backstab damage from the weapon is calculated in a manner similar to a thrust or lunge. The puncture value of the weapon used is the main damage determinant, but the impact and slice contribute as well.
Target choice
- Target must be bipedal, meaning it has to have a back to stab.
- Backstab success is based on attacker's Backstab skill versus target's Perception skill. The higher the Perception of a creature the more difficult it is to backstab and the more experience will be gained for success.
- The backstab move targets certain vital areas, and one non-vital area. The targets are determined by the amount of success on the Backstab vs. Perception check. The head, neck, back and arms are the areas which can be struck with a successful backstab.
The Backstab command does not work against non-bipedal targets (snakes, wolves, jellies, etc.) but the backstab skill can be trained on these targets by hiding and attacking a specific body part (i.e. hide, then 'attack chest' or 'attack right eye' etc.).
Successful backstab
Alpha strike
The first successful backstab that does damage will do an increased amount of damage, after which it will return to the standard backstab damage for 30 seconds.
Death From Above
A successful backstab uses the current DFA mechanics which gives the target a 15% defensive penalty on average. With enough Evasion skill the backstab can be successful but evaded. On a successful backstab the Stealth skill of the attacker is checked against the defender's Perception skill, and a damage modifier is added if successful. The higher the success of the Stealth check, the more damage you will do.
Increase confidence
Backstabbing is tied to the Thief Confidence system. A successful backstab against an appropriately skilled target will increase confidence while a failed backstab will decrease confidence. SMIRK [SELF] may be used to check confidence level.