Ok, I'm new to the forum, and have been playing Baldur's gate II for a few weeks, after having been playing BGI for over a year. Here is my situation.

My char is a 7th fighter/22nd thief, I have a 19 STR (tomes from BGI) and have the highest proficency in long sword (Grand Master I think). My backstabs are supposed to be x5, but ever time I backstab, it only does damage in the low 40s. I even had one at 37 last night. I do more damage with a critical hit! With +7 damage for STR, +3 for Longsword (Drow), plus my weapon profiency bonus (+3 or +4, whatever the best is), I don't see how my minimum backstab could be less that 70. In case you think, maybe I'm not actually backstabbing them, I am, because I always get the message of "Quintuple backstab". Valygar's backstabs always do more damage than mine? Ack, whats the problem?

Thanks for any help.

-Dobbler

For one thing, the strength bonus is not multiplied with the backstab - only the base damage - and then the strength bonus is applied afterwards - this cuts the projected damage significantly.

Welcome to Ironworks, Dobbler.

[img]graemlins/1djsmile.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/happydance.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/1djsmile.gif[/img]

I don't know the answer to your question though. :(

With a +3 Longsword, 19 str and +3 from your weapon proficiency, your normal backstabs should be within this range

42-77

It is likely that whoever you got 37 against had some damage resistance, or perhaps you were drained of strength at the time?

Maybe the target is wearing a helmet?

That 37 came against a mind flayer. Do they have physical resistance? Anyways, I appreciate the help. Great board, with much helpful info, and kind members!

-Dobbler

wearing helmets protects against critical hits and not backstab

Welcome to Ironworks Forums, Dobbler! [img]graemlins/wavey.gif[/img]

The ""Quintuple backstab" message means that the backstab is indeed successful - but the damage is wierd. Are you playing with the Improved Mind Flayers? They have about 50% physical resistance, which would make sense.

Drewal, are you sure that the STR bonus isn't multiplied? According to some posts, i was under the impression that it is. Jim, save us. [img]smile.gif[/img]

STR is definitely not multiplied, at least not in any of the versions of the game I've played. I've had far too many backstabs resulting in far too little damage for that to be true :D

Or how about a 19 str thief getting a 4x backstab for 15 damage vs a regular Shadow Thief? :(

i haven't used the ability much either until recently but i didn't think that you COULD backstab w/ longswords, when i tried it said summat like "inadequate weapon to backstab", maybe thats why you're not getting more damage per hit, yoshimo backstabs for 60s and up with a katana +1