What is backstab in this game?

[Seltin]

Do you "backstab" if you can dash behind an enemy and hit it in the back? Does that count as a backstab?

[chollman82]

I've never seen mention of a specific "backstab" mechanic, but you do get a damage bonus when attacking from stealth... so if you crouch and then hit them from behind you'll get a damage bonus that is based on your attributes and skills.

[Drake Ravenwolf]

I certainly seemed to execute a special backstab animation when I got behind a zombie unseen. I was using a dagger, dunno if it only works with those or something

Oh ya, your arm goes into a different posture when the special backstab is ready
Nope not just daggers.

[Rheetro]

When you trigger a backstab, an animation for it will show, just like when you hit a perfect parry.

There are both stats for backstab in a certain skilltree, and you can find weapons/armor with backstab stats on them - useful if you play a rouge/stealth build but viable for all builds, it's all up to you how you wanna build, this game lets you mix and match however you want, and I love it

[Seltin]

Not asking about stealth attack but a backstab attack. Skilltree has modifiers that differentiate between sneak attack damage (unseen) and backstab attacks?

Or are backstab attacks the same as stealth attacks but if you're using a dagger as well, you get both stealth + BS attack dmg multipliers?

[MaverickHL]

Backstab will have a different animation, you will notice your weapon position will change slightly. You can only activate the backstab by using a light attack. Heavies do not trigger it.

[Drake]

Yeah backstab and sneak are different.

Sneak attack is any attack done while you are crouched and undetected, it works with melee, ranged and spells.

Backstab is the special animation when you hit someone from behind, I'm pretty sure it only works with mele weapons.

[Reskareth]

But does Backstab work mid combat or only while sneaking and being undetected?

[MaverickHL]

I think only sneak and undetected. Technically speaking, it should be a reward for parries as well, since after you stagger the enemy outside of execution, you should be able to back stab them or get the bonus damage to whittle their health pool for execution.

[Reskareth]

Hmm that's too bad. The dagger skill tree sounded quite amazing but if it only works while sneaking it's not that great