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Thieves: Do the math

Discussion in 'BG2: Shadows of Amn (Classic)' started by Applegard, Aug 10, 2004.

  1. Applegard Gems: 1/31
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    Who can tell me the formula for the backstab?
    Does my STR (19) bonus (+7) get multiplied?
    Does the weapon bonus get multiplied?

    Might I be better off using a +3 short sword, in which I am not proficient, rather than a +1 long sword, in which I have two slots?
     
    Applegard, Aug 10, 2004
    #1
  2. Aldeth the Foppish Idiot

    Aldeth the Foppish Idiot Armed with My Mallet O' Thinking Veteran

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    Everything gets multiplied into the backstab EXCEPT strength bonus, and any elemental damage your weapon does (if any). The weapon bonus gets multiplied, and any bonuses you may get if you have more than one proficiency point in a weapon (possible if using a fighter-thief multi-class, a fighter-thief dual-class or a stalker). In fact, in the case of a critical hit, even THAT gets multiplied in, which is why it's possible to get a critical hit on a backstab that does hundreds of points of damage. But your strength is simply added on (so in your case +7) after all the multiplication takes place.

    As far as a +1 long sword with two proficiency points versus a +3 short sword with zero proficiency points, I'm thinking you are better off with the long sword, unless of course you are fighting something that requires better than a +1 weapon to hit. In terms of damage, the long sword is 2-9 base, while the short sword is 4-9 base, but your THAC0 will actually be better with the +1 weapon in this case. Two proficiency points gives +1 to hit. No proficiency points is a -4 penalty.

    So, say your base THAC0 is 10 for example. With the long sword, your THAC0 would go down to 8 (one for the plus on the weapon, and one by having two proficiency points). Remember in the case of THAC0 a lower number is BETTER.

    For the short sword you base THAC0 would still be 10, but you would get +3 for the weapon (taking it to 7) but then a -4 penalty (taking it back up to 11).

    So while the short sword can technically do more damage than the long sword, you will hit much more frequently with the long sword, so that would be my pick.
     
    Aldeth the Foppish Idiot, Aug 10, 2004
    #2
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