How do I knock people out reliably with a melee weapon?

[nik45100]

So this is my first play through and i'm currently just got to the catacombs. Through out my experience so far, i have noticed that similar enemy's take different amount of hits to knock out. Where as I can oneshot one mj12 trooper with a baton, while his partner can tank 5 baton hits to the skull with my max level melee aug active and still not have his skull caved in. So what am i doing wrong?

or did mj12 just decide to start augmenting some troops with reinforced skulls after i gave brain damage to every individual in there Hong Kong base

[Odzy]

Try hitting their lower backs

[Squaredudes]

Mild spoilers for game mechanics I guess:IIRC, there's a stealth damage bonus for hitting NPCs that are unaware of your presence. Humans also take extra damage when they're incapacitated from tear gas or the riot prod. On top of this, like Odzy says, aim right above the belt for nonlethal melee weapons and the head for all other weapons.

[BadMojo]

You have to be right up in their hitbox, they wont feel you if your touching them, crouched is the best way, hit them in the middle of the spine with the baton... best way is to quicksave right before you do it and practice until you get it right, then you'll be set for the rest of the game.

Also, if you screw up, quickly select the prod and stun them, then back to the baton for another tap.

[McJiggy]

Paul only wanted you to go non lethal because he was with the NSF, you should be using the Dragon Tooth sword on those MJ12 goons.

[Boaby Kenobi]

I upgrade my low tech skill to advanced and with the DT sword you're pretty much unstoppable.
Sneaking up on people and using the prod is very effective if you want to be non-lethal.