>>backstab learning when utilizing the backstab verb.


Haven't the GM's stated somewhere, that it don't matter wether the skill is mind locked or not, you get the same pulse at 12/34 that you do at 34/34 as you do at 25/34?

I'm not saying I don't like seeing my skills at mind locked, because man I do! I can mind lock at 323 in raiders. Does strength have anything to do with it? And agility into the calculation? Or reflex? Is there some hidden stat that we are missing that increase the learning rate of backstab? Is it the combination I am using?

Maybe a few of us should trade notes on what we do to learn it (say learn it as getting it to 25/34 in 20 minutes)?

Does ambushing a critter teach more per pulse? Per hit? Has backstab changed to the point like Appraisa, takes a bit to pulse? I've never really paid attention. Maybe I should. Does attacking from hiding give some kind of % bonus?

When you backstab with the actual verb backstab, has anyone noticed if it goes from 0/34 to say 3/34. And so forth each hit depending on damage? If its a light damage hit, does it take away from the backstab experience and negate it and make the hit not a hit at all?

Or by chance does attacking from hiding give a bigger bonus when actually hitting, or just nicking? Say attack from hiding and hit will it go from like 0/34 to 5/34? I'm not understanding. Something sounds off. Or I'm just not seeing it.

Is something not being calculated correctly, or is something being over calculated? With either attacking from hiding or backstab itself? I'm not sure.

Ok, I"m done rambling.

Jim

>>I.e., if you can move it, you're training it optimally.

While that is true, it's hard to leave a hunting ground for any length of time to do boxes, RP, or anything else if you're trying to keep backstab up with other stealth skills.

Stealing exp was taken out of the secondary pool system, but the stealing timers were never removed, and I don't think this is fair on people who don't have the run of several towns - i.e on the mainland. Either replace the secondary Stealing exp pool or remove/reduce the timer for stealing from shops.


>without resorting to oddball tricks like backstabbing with a toothpick in an attempt to make the creature last through several hits.

I have a carving knife that I use to stab/parry with, trying to get it down to the minimum condition so it does even less damage.

<<Out of curiosity, what do you think is broken on your side of things? :D - GM Sithix>>

<<Oh, while we have your attention, can we get a ranged disabler please?>>

I'm all for this. But if entanglement is put in the new combat, LT weapons like bolas and nets might give everyone a ranged disabler.

I've always thought of thieves as masters of mechanical gadgets. Actually, I really wish the gadgetry aspect of the guild would be played up more.

OKAY IDEA

Perhaps most guilds could just knock down an enemy at range wth a bola or net, minor entangle perhaps, but the enemy could get back up again without too much trouble. Or perhaps would not be knocked down but attack and defend at penalty until it could fully free itself.

A thief could have the expertise to use a net or bola (hooked?) or some other device that more securely holds the target sort of like a casting of haraweps bonds. The target would take much longer to stand up and get free. It wouldn't be a weapon feat per se but more an ability to put the enemy in a more vulnerable position. Or perhaps caltrops or leg traps that can be dropped to cause creatures to step on, get injured, and fall down howling. Non-thieves would tangle themselves up if they tried to use such devices. Tossing down marbles to trip up pursuing city guards would be a hoot. A crossbow bolt or special arrow that shoots a net would be an interesting weapon.

BETTER IDEA

A non-gadget way a thief might get a ranged entangle might be an advanced version of the steady khri. The balancing aspect is projected onto the target. Only in this case it unbalances the target so it falls and can't stand up for a time. Khri typically affect the thief and not the target though, so I'm not sure this falls within khri conception.

BEST IDEA

Probably the best idea (strong thief IC) is some kind of fancy thrown weapons that harness ambush stun or clout and ambush slash at any range as LT. The thief shop weapons could be modified for thrown ambush clout. A ranged ambush slash weapon could be something like an edged boomerang or the Xena chakram. Neither would require the thief to be hidden. Just throw and go. This ranged disabler could be perhaps a 100 circle or higher thief ability. For game balance it might require khri to be used. Of course, in true Xena-like fashion, the chakram would return to the throwers hand after hitting it's target! Would be classic and look better than picking it up.

Kaxis

---

A raven flies into the area.

The raven swoops down in front of you and with its hoarse ominous voice, utters a large croaking "Kraak".

The raven lands at your feet, taps your footwear with its beak and engages you with its black, intelligent eyes. You feel certain that it is warning you about something or someone.

A raven flies northeast.

You ponder.