Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site rabbit.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!alice!rabbit!pkh 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