Quick question about backstab.

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Haven't played rogue in a long long time, I usually go with Jan.

I was thinking about going dual class Fighter/Thief in order to get *** in Dual Wielding and still be able to backstab (thus not playing Swashbuckler). Is it possible to backstab while dual-wielding, if so I guess that your main hand is hitting.

Anyone knows?

 

You can backstab while dual-wielding.

However, I think that the weapon with the fastest speed factor is the one that backstabs, so if the off-hand weapon has a better speed factor, that's the one that backstabs. I'm not totally sure about that, though, nor am I sure what happens if the weapon with the faster speed factor isn't a backstabbing weapon.

 

Ok, I was planning on either Long Swords or Scimitar so they'll be viable for backstabbin.

 

Backstab is always done with the on-hand weapon. Just make sure that - as a Fighter/Thief - you're using Thief-usable weapons, or you won't get a Backstab multiplier (i.e. no backstabbing with the Flail of Ages or Lilacor). Clubs and Quarterstaves are fine though - even if it's more a backsmack than backstab!

 

Also, I'm emarrassed to tell you how long it took me to finally figure out that you have to stand BEHIND your enemy to backstab him. I musta missed that lesson at Rogue U

 

Is there actually any good reason for the backstabber to START the fight by backstabbing?

I'd assume that sneaking behind the enemy mage, sending in your fighters to gather the attention of the group and THEN backstabbing would be better in that your thief doesn't gain the initial aggro that way.

Anything obvious (game mechanics wise) that I'm missing?

 

I found a backstab could often kill the bad guy when you get to high enough level (especially with the Staff of the Ram). Often the backstab will hit prior to the mage getting defenses up -- which can be a good advantage (the mage contingencies kick in as soon as an enemy is seen).

 

Ah, contingencies! I knew I was missing something in the picture.

In other words - you'd better be prepared to manage the aggro of an ENTIRE group of enemies with your backstabber, or else..

 

That's what potions of invis are for .

 

Too bad that potions aren't unlimited in number..

How long does it take to activate a (Sandman's) Ring of Invisibility / Ring of Gaxx, and can those be interrupted?

 

Well... with the Alchemy HLA they are.

They are activated pretty much immediately; there is a short delay though (unlike with a potion). They can't be interrupted as such (not like a spell anyway) but conceivably your character could be petrified/killed/otherwise disabled in the instant before the item is activated. Not likely though.

 

There's more than enough to get you through the game though, in my experience .

 

Unless you use like 10 per fight you should be fine

 

I wish that was true. My experience has been that the rings work just like casting the spell. They can be interrupted just like casting the spell. I'd backstab a mage or tough fighter, only to get swarmed. I'd try to use the ring, get disrupted and be forced to drink a potion or get pummeled.

 

And that's why you haste you thief

 

Lol, love the internets. So now we have two conflicting reports on the (un-)interruptability of the invisibility rings.

 

Well... that's not how it works in my game. Several times I've seen characters take damage in that second between being ordered to use the ring and it being activated and never had it interrupted. Same goes for abilities/spells from scrolls or items in general.

 

There's really no need to put your thief at the mercy of a group of enemies. If I know the group of baddies would be too much for my thief, what I do is turn off the A.I., position my thief (invisible or hidden in shadow) behind the intended victim. March my other members into the room. And just as my other members are within the sight of the enemies, I turn on the A.I. My thief gets to backstab and reinforcement is right on the way. Or you can let the fight begin, then do the backstabbing. Just make sure your thief is undetectable by magic... the Cloak of Non-Detection comes in very handy with this tactic.

 

You actually use the AI? I always direct my characters.

 

Using the AI offers advantages with backstabbing. It's been years, so I may be wrong ... anyway, iirc the advantage is that with the AI your thief will approach the enemy stealthily and decloak when he stabs. When you attack manually iirc you leave the shadow and can screw up much easier. nior's tactic is practical.

When I was lazy I found it useful when waiting for enemies to appear to set my troupe on 'guard' and trap the place. Sometimes the enemies were already dead before they became fully visible. Aah, the scent of cheese ...