Having lost my manuals etc I was wondering whether anyone could enlighten me on how to use thief abilities such as back stab - I am ok with disarming traps etc but I want to start being sneaky!

Thanx

To use backstab, Hide in Shadows and stand behind your opponent. Your *first* attack will be a backstab.

Hide in shdows is pretty simple, just use it *before* you go out exploring, you cant activate it in LoS of an enemy.

Pickpocket, same as disarming traps but you click on a person instead of a trap. Not the msot sueful, but there are some sweet items you can get like this.

Welcome to the boards Duke...

If you have HOW installed, you can use another option through the Configuration program called Sneak Attack/Crippling Strike. This requires you to attack from the rear or flank but does not require you to be in shadows. You have to turn this on in the Config or you will default to backstab. IWD proper will only have backstab. Also in regards to hiding in shadows, your thief will "leave shadows" if you perform any other action before attacking. Sometimes this will happen when you go through a door (I think if the thief is the first one to open it.) You can use potions or rings of invisibility on your thief also. The improved invisibility mage spell will allow your thief to attack, detect traps, etc. while still in shadows. Enemies can still hit the thief but he/she has several advantages.