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Backstabbing

Discussion in 'BG2: Throne of Bhaal (Classic)' started by stryder, Dec 17, 2001.

  1. stryder Gems: 1/31
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    In BGI the strength damage bonus appeared to be added before the backstab multiplier. I have loaded SoA and ToB and the strength bonus seems to be added after the multiplier otherwise how can a character with a str of 19 (+7 damage) only cause 16hp of damage with a 3X multiplier. Has backstabbing changed??
     
    stryder, Dec 17, 2001
    #1
  2. Ragusa

    Ragusa Eternal Halfling Paladin Veteran

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    You are right, in BG-2 the backstabbing damage is indeed added before adding the strength damage boni. Backstabing, however, works just the same as in BG iirc.

    Backstabbing damage calculation in BG differs from damage calculation in AD&D. In AD&D the backstabb damage multiplier was iirc applied *after* adding strength boni and *before* adding magical weapon bonusses.

    The reason why in BG the damage multiplier is added *before* adding the strength damage modifiers, is pretty simple: Thiefs are a pretty powerful bunch the way they are. I think including the strength-modifiers in the backtabbing bonus, let's say of a high level halfling assassin who got a girdle of frostgiant strength and 7x damage, would be unballancing. Additionally there are plenty of potions of strenth around in the BGs and their use would make thiefs, fighter-thiefs especially, too powerful.

    Here is an example with a high level assassin - for his high backstab multiplier shows clearly what is meant with "unballanced" ;) having str-21 and who's backstabbing with a dagger+2:

    -BG-calculation: 1d4+2 damage (3-6) x7 = (21-42) + 9 (str-bonus) resulting in: 30-51 damage.
    Comment: I add the magical weapon bonus first to ease calculations; I'm not sure if BG-works that way, I'd have to test it first.

    -AD&D calculation: 1d4+2 damage (3-6) + 9 (str-bonus) = (12-15) x7 = 84-107 damage without a critical hit.

    And anyway: When playing a dc fighter-thief with grandmastery in katanas and single weapon style I frequently made high damage backstabbing attacks, ranging from 50-200 damage. As you see: This restriction to add the str-bonus later is no real disadvantage. And even with a pure thief I frequently had attacks with about 60 damage having str-10 aand using daggers or shortswords.

    [This message has been edited by Ragusa (edited December 17, 2001).]
     
    Ragusa, Dec 17, 2001
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