Backstab

[zaki11]

Hello fellow wicked!
I have problems with backstabing and the stealth mechanic in general. I do not really understand how it works, i rarely get the option to do backstabs even when i follow an enemy for 10 seconds from behind. Is it only woks when the enemy is standing still? Sometimes i do backtabs during fights but it feels so inconsistent i can not figure out the proper way to do it frequently. Does it need polishing from devs or i am doing something wrong? I usually able to get behind an enemy, fights and stealth alike but rearly get the glowing red dot and i can't find out what i am doing wrong. I also struggle with stealth as well because enemies often alerted way before it seems possible for me (sometimes they just randomly turn around and attack immediately). I would appreciate any suggestions and info on that.

[Dumar]

(TL:DR:
Stealth Backstab sucks, and super unreliable outside of the tutorial area.

In-Combat Backstab is wayyyy more reliable and extremely fun + rewarding!)

1 - Not all mobs can be backstabbed. For example, the fat zombie dudes that explode, lizard men dudes with double daggers and Super Big Humanoid, i.e. big BOSS'es towering over the Player-Character etc.)

2 - Stealth backstab is mostly unreliable and frankly, stealth walk-speed outside of some specific areas is just too slow to catch-up to humanoid mobs before they circle about on their path - Therefore stealth backstabbing, mileage will vary. (I most don't bother after the first starter area.)

3 - The best way to initiate a backstab, either in combat or from stealth, make sure you have a hard lock-on, (not the tiny red circle a soft lock-on, but use your analogue stick and press towards them so you have the fat red-circle,) and when you are directly behind your opponent, a skull icon will form as long as you are angled correctly behind the mob.
- Fully staggering an opponent is one-way to guarantee a backstab as you have more than 3 seconds to roll-behind them and initiate it
- Parrying an opponent is another way to stagger for 1-2 seconds and get a roll-behind (in combat) to get off a swift backstab.
- Also, enemies that whiff their attacks, (e.g spear wielding, or 2h axe or sword mobs) and you roll towards them, you can easily initiate a backstab during active combat in the middle of their whiffed animation. (This can be tricky, but its surprisingly easy to do once you get the rhythm down for humanoids.)

4 - Again, nearly all humanoids (the size of the Player Character and a lil bit bigger,) can be backstabbed - Some enemies don't have long stun-states after Parry as do others however...

You can even backstabb Quest mobs etc. Its extremely fun and you feel like a bad-ass once you get the timing down etc.

I meant to drop this here for you OP, its not ideal video footage, but skip to a few places to see in-combat backstabs and wonky targeting-

(Didn't realize the audio is OUT of SYNC, Early Access woes)

https://youtu.be/KW4N8s6mAh0?si=fuS4su87F4neHW0T&t=170

[Ribcut]

That's because the game is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥. This guy has no idea what he's talking about. The devs have directly addressed this and admitting it's highly inconsistent. No amount of skill or practice can supersede an underlying issue with the game itself.