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Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!decvax!harpo!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!CS-Mordred!Pucc-H:Physics:hal
From: hal@pur-phy.UUCP (Hal Chambers)
Newsgroups: net.games.frp
Subject: Back-Stabbing
Message-ID: <1286@pur-phy.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 9-Apr-84 14:32:48 EST
Article-I.D.: pur-phy.1286
Posted: Mon Apr  9 14:32:48 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Apr-84 01:47:58 EST
Organization: Purdue University Physics Dept.
Lines: 17


    The damage multiplier for "back-stabbing" only applies to weapon
damage.  Also, the +4 "to-hit" modifier only applies when attacking
with surprise; not when simply attacking from behind.  The appropriate
section of the Player's Handbook (p.27) is quoted below (words in
all caps are my emphasis):

3.  Back stabbing is the striking of a blow from behind, be it with
    club, dagger, or sword.  The damage done per hit is twice normal
    FOR THE WEAPON used per four experience levels of the thief,
    i.e. double damage at levels 1-4....
    Note that striking BY SURPRISE FROM BEHIND also increases the
    hit probability by 20% (+4 on the thief's "to hit" die roll).

Hal Chambers
Purdue University
(..!pur-ee!pur-phy!hal)