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From: pkh@rabbit.UUCP (Paul Pavlidis)
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Re: Thieves Backstab
Message-ID: <3059@rabbit.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 15-Aug-84 18:18:38 EDT
Article-I.D.: rabbit.3059
Posted: Wed Aug 15 18:18:38 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 16-Aug-84 03:19:28 EDT
References: <181@qantel.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill
Lines: 32

I disagree with the statement that a thief only gains multiple damage when using
a pointed, penetrating weapon.  I quote the PH: "Backstabbing is the striking of
a blow from behind, be it with club, dagger, or sword."  The fact that a club
cannot be pushed further into a wound does not mean it cannot cause double or
triple damage when used by a thief.  But this is not my main point.  I see no
reason why the following cannot take place: a thief armed with a sling sees his
victim down the street, facing away from him.  The thief, because he has the 
advantage of surprise, is able to aim with greater care for a vital point.  He
slings, and because of his great skill with the weapon, fells the victim.  Another
note-- what if the thief was using daggers to throw?  These definitely penetrate
and a well timed and aimed throw could go deeper.  The thief does not have the
advantage of double damage when lacking surprise or attacking from the front because
he does not have time to take very careful aim (the thief gets +4 to hit from
behind by the same token).  I must say, though, that the thief will not be
able to use his skills fully, because as said, he is not right there.  He may
get only +3 to hit and not get double damage unless he is above level four--the
details are not important.
	In addition, I also think that the list club, dagger, and sword could
be interpreted as those are the only weapons you could use to backstab with, but
I don't think so.  The list probably serves only as examples, and should incluce
other weapons used by thieves, and assassins.
	Another thing- it is true that thieves or assassins could make better use
of their abilities by attacking from nearby, or in the case of the assassin make
an assassination roll.  But this is not always the case.  For a low level assassin,
the chance to hit could far exceed the chance to assassinate and be just as deadly.
For the low level thief, it may be that croodling up on a victim is too difficult
because of a difficult move silently roll.  A missile weapon is the alternative
available.  This is often the case with lower level characters--they have to use
different tactics than higher level characters to make the best of their situations.

					from the world of Kemen
					Paul Pavlidis