Backstab any time?

[Daddy Kon]

Am I getting lucky with some hidden roll or am I always allowed to walk around enemies who are facing me and backstab?


Thank you.

[alanc9]

What's a "backstab"?

[DiceWrangler]

That "backstab" thing, attacking from behind for a bonus, is odd and is not D&D 5e because 5e does not have Facing. That said, to be eligible for a Sneak Attack all you need is Advantage or an enemy of your target, not necessarily your ally, adjacent to and threatening your target and attack with a Ranged or Finesse (using DEX or STR) weapon.

[Edstyles]

Erm you don't need to be sneaking to get backstab . Just behind.

[tempest.of.emptiness]

BG 3 gives you a bonus to hit when you attack a target from behind. That bonus is called "backstab". Any class can do it, with any weapon. There's no connection between "backstab" and "sneak attack", and no connection between "backstab" in BG 3 and "backstab" in BG 1 & 2 ("sneak attack" replaces the mechanic that was known as "backstab" in BG 1 & 2).

[tempest.of.emptiness]

Originally posted by Daddy Kon:

Am I getting lucky with some hidden roll or am I always allowed to walk around enemies who are facing me and backstab?

To address this question directly: if you are in melee with an enemy and you move out of their threat area then they get an attack of opportunity against you (assuming they have not already used it). Depending on circumstances, it may be possible to walk around behind an enemy without leaving their threat area. So, no, there isn't a hidden roll that is required to accomplish this. If you can't walk to a position behind them, then you may be able to jump there instead (jumping does not provoke attacks of opportunity).

[Planeforger]

Yep, and class can attack "backstab" by attacking from behind. It seems like it gives you advantage, so it's an easy way to generate critical hits with your rogues and fighters.

It's probably a little overpowered, but hey, it makes positioning a bit more important during fights.

[tempest.of.emptiness]

Originally posted by Planeforger:

It seems like it gives you advantage, so it's an easy way to generate critical hits with your rogues and fighters.

Backstabbing does give you an increased chance to hit, but it does not count as advantage. For example, if you are a rogue and want to sneak attack, just backstabbing is not enough. You either need actual advantage on the attack or an enemy of your enemy in melee with that enemy to qualify for sneak attack.

[PinkPanther]

Originally posted by alanc9:

What's a "backstab"?

When Astarion sneaks into your bedroll at night ;)

[Mosey]

I think the issue people are having is that you can technically use the rogues sneak attack even if the target doesn't qualify for a sneak attack. Thus people -think- they are doing sneak attacks, when in reality they're blowing the ability on a standard attack that will not result in extra damage.

The limitations described on the ability itself are true. They are not suggestions. And yes, just being behind a target will usually qualify them for a sneak attack, even if they're aware of you, assuming no disadvantage is in play.

Now all we need to do is figure out why some things in the Underdark are always obscured by shadow, even while glowing with a dancing light right on top of them. It prevents all sneak attacks in all circumstances, apparently, as you can't erase that disadvantage and any disadvantage negates the attack.

[Admod, the Equivocal]

Originally posted by Mosey:

I think the issue people are having is that you can technically use the rogues sneak attack even if the target doesn't qualify for a sneak attack. Thus people -think- they are doing sneak attacks, when in reality they're blowing the ability on a standard attack that will not result in extra damage.

The limitations described on the ability itself are true. They are not suggestions. And yes, just being behind a target will usually qualify them for a sneak attack, even if they're aware of you, assuming no disadvantage is in play.

Now all we need to do is figure out why some things in the Underdark are always obscured by shadow, even while glowing with a dancing light right on top of them. It prevents all sneak attacks in all circumstances, apparently, as you can't erase that disadvantage and any disadvantage negates the attack.

Honestly just means that the sneak attack should just be an automatically applied modifier for the rogue instead of a select ability. I mean...rogues will ONLY be able to attack once and won't get another attack per round...if they're following the rules.

[Mosey]

Originally posted by Admod, the Equivocal:

Honestly just means that the sneak attack should just be an automatically applied modifier for the rogue instead of a select ability. I mean...rogues will ONLY be able to attack once and won't get another attack per round...if they're following the rules.

I don't think so, given that haste exists. It's obviously a choice when to use sneak attack, and making it automatic would probably just confuse people even more.

Also, for what it's worth, we should be able to choose to use our sneak attack on an off-hand attack as well. It's weird it's only usable on a main attack.

[Space Dog]

Yes you can freely just jump "behind" your enemy every turn and attack with free advantage. Fighters can Action Surge and attack twice with advantage.

[Admod, the Equivocal]

Originally posted by Space Dog:

Yes you can freely just jump "behind" your enemy every turn and attack with free advantage. Fighters can Action Surge and attack twice with advantage.

So backstab IS advantage?

[Simbolic]

doesn't seem like there's a backstab, but i think certain hit percentages are higher from the back.

[Jesuit Joe]

Yes there's a backstab when the game tell you so. Left screen with a green arrow. But I don't get the sneak attack of the rogue then... If "everybody" can do a backstab, how to perform a sneak attack with a rogue? thanks !