I've been playing BG-BGII-ToB for around 2 yrs now...but there is still one major problem remain in my brain. A very crazy, funny, newbie-like question:

How do you do a backstab with thieves?

[don't laugh ok?]
thnx for the replies...

it's ok. it is actually kind of confusing, especially since they don't ever mention how to do it in the manual. simply get your thief to hide in shadows (or go invisible), sneak up behind the unsuspecting person, and hit them in the back with a one-handed bladed weapon. if you don't miss 2 or 3 times in a row, you should get them.

Note: The weapon doesn't have to be sharp, or even 1-handed. The exact rule is "Any melee weapon that a single-class Thief can use." So while Daggers, Short Swords, Long Swords & Katanas are the most popular Backstabbing tools, you can also use Clubs and Quarterstaves as well.

I don't know about Stalkers. They Backstab too, and a while ago I thought I heard someone say they loved using Valyger to Backstab with the Impaler, which is a spear--a weapon Single-class Thieves can't use. So do Stalkers not have that restriction? I know Fighter/Thieves do. I tried to have my F/T Backstab with a Bastard Sword, but it just said "Your weapon is unsuitable for backstab," and ignored the damage multiplier.

dont feel bad i beat bg 2 before i figured out how to backstab. yeah you just hide in shadows and approach your target from behind. once you get in striking distance simply attack. it doesn really do anything special when you do backstab, simply more damage.

stalkers' backstab modifer is bugged. I always do 70+ dmg with a backstab with long sword at level 7. that just plain absurd. I mean, AT THE START when most enemies have HP like around 60... bah

and remember certain monsters cannot be stabbed... you will know when you try, lol. for a few: dragons, beholders and all the constructs. barbarians cannot be backstabbed neither, thats why they are the best dueling class around ^^

I mean, no one else can take down a kansai/thief that uses all the enchant potions and backstab with Clestial Fury, then immediately go back to stealth mod. 300 dmg in no time...

So if you miss you're first attempt at backstabbing can you're second fling still be a backstab? I mean when you attack, it says:"...... leaving shadows" doesn't this mean that you can only backstab once and if you succeeed or not you will have to hide in shadows/drink potion of invisibility/etc. again before you are able to backstab again.

When it says leaving shadows, your chr. is still invisible on the screen for a couple more seconds. Only when your chr. on the screen visible is the chr. truly out of the shadows. Enjoy a few seconds benefit.

here is glitch you can exploit

when you are invisible (thief ONLY) and strike a backstab and miss. immediately pause the game, then highlight Hide In Shadow again, then WALK your character around.

you will be able to stay invisible. after abt a round, the game asks your thief to do a check roll, and if you succeed, you stay in shadow.

repeated doing it, you can keep backstabing until you hit. remember if you hit, you lose invisibility no matter what.

I love backstabbing (Assassins rule), but there are some problems
Most annoying is the Backstab failed (dragons/beholders etc) - this, stupidly IMO, includes the Assassinate ability (ToB).
Then it doesn't work if you're invisible - only if you're stealthed. Even if you're invisible you can't stealth if an enemy can see you. Why?
Actually the best thing is when someone or thing makes you blind (Dust mephits spring to mind). Because it restricts your vision it makes it easier to make them hidden. Therefore you can stealth again. Maybe they should be renamed to "Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal"

Still, backstabbing is tops. Traps are cool too.