Guild Wars 2

So I was trying the D/D build from p/d. When I tried to backstab, it did not crit, even though I was behind my opponent. Has the insta-crit been removed after the Sept patch? Does this mean I will have to take the trait that forces crit from stealth? Or is this a bug? Thanks in advance!

You need a high crit chance for backstab to crit.

CrimsonNeonite.1048:

You need a high crit chance for backstab to crit.

But before September I was d/d rampaging, and using the same build. I would always insta-crit on backstab. Now, it’s once every like 3 times…

xXBurningEmberXx.6085:

CrimsonNeonite.1048:

You need a high crit chance for backstab to crit.

But before September I was d/d rampaging, and using the same build. I would always insta-crit on backstab. Now, it’s once every like 3 times…

Either take “Hidden Killer” or you can go for a high crit chance, it was always like this

So backstab was never an ensured crit??

xXBurningEmberXx.6085:

CrimsonNeonite.1048:

You need a high crit chance for backstab to crit.

But before September I was d/d rampaging, and using the same build. I would always insta-crit on backstab. Now, it’s once every like 3 times...

Backstab crits only if RNG decides so (according to your critchance %), or if you have the Hidden Killer trait (+100% critchance from stealth). It was always this way and I hope it always will be.
Backstab difference between frontal and back hit is in the damage done, not in the critchance. Back hit is twice as strong as the frontal one.

So what numbers can I get?

Depends how far you are willing to traverse into the land of glass.

Some loosely given numbers based on my experience, all results were experienced while having Executioner traited instead of Hidden killer:

I’d say 6.5k is the average backstab for a balanced build (30 crit and 30 shadow arts).
If you go more glassy you can get up to 9k average.
Even more glassy you can get up to 12k average (30 deadly arts and 30 crit).

So has backstab never undergone a change?

xXBurningEmberXx.6085:

So has backstab never undergone a change?

The chance that backstab will crit has never changed. It’s the sacrifice you make for choosing executioner over hidden killer and a well balanced one.

So backstab was always a backstab?

Also depends on the format you play in.

SPvP numbers are about 30-50% lower than what they are in WvW due to stat capping and further nerfs to the class.

6/6/x/x/x isn’t optimized for stab damage. It’s the DPS setup for PvE due to RT. 5/6/0/0/3 is the fully-optimized stab build.

And no, backstab was never an auto-crit. It has always relied on 6pt Critical Strikes Hidden Killer to always be a critical attack. It does full damage from behind, and half from the front.

DeceiverX.8361:

It does full damage from behind, and half from the front.

No, no, it does full damage at front and double damage from behind.

:)

How am I not generating the 10k I c in vids? Has is been needed?

xXBurningEmberXx.6085:

How am I not generating the 10k I c in vids? Has is been needed?

Where have you been exactly? Thief has been nerfed a lot since launch, and it isn’t going to get any better. If you want to play like thief did back from the beginning best you pick a new profession and save the effort.

NinjaEd.3946:

xXBurningEmberXx.6085:

How am I not generating the 10k I c in vids? Has is been needed?

Where have you been exactly? Thief has been nerfed a lot since launch, and it isn’t going to get any better. If you want to play like thief did back from the beginning best you pick a new profession and save the effort.

Haven’t played backstab thief in a while. Is d/d even viable still?

Sadly no its gone to the dumbing D/P build instead, No love for cloak and dagger I say.

Running S/D cuz annoyed of it

D/D was never really that viable in sPvP.

In WvW, it’s still fine and completely viable.

In PvE, it’s the only DPS setup for bosses that’s acceptable on thief.

DeceiverX.8361:

D/D was never really that viable in sPvP.

*in the last year and a half or so. D/D was the meta when the game first came out. In those days, a target could be insta-downed in one burst series. Today, only eles can do that.

xXBurningEmberXx.6085:

How am I not generating the 10k I c in vids? Has is been needed?

lmao, how long have you been away? xD

and check the dates on the youtube videos, they are probably from 2013 at the start of the game.

and its never been insta crit. ever.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fZAQNAV4alsMp0plPx7J8PNhOBt9tDQF4ODp4Ed1DA-TVCEABMcEASZ/BCOIAfobwgHAALq/0kyPAVCCwFAIAACA7cn7cn38mlCIilRA-w

is a backstab build

Yeah, but I think he wants to play D/D. For D/P it is ok, but for D/D I would suggest something like http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fZAQNAoYVlsMpyplPx0J8PNBNBtdFGeI4uGrYGaFAA-TVCEABLq+TK7PQwDAwgTAQTK/AUJYb6DA4IA8whAgUACqMC-w
When I want to play D/D a little bit with my second thief is use more or less that. Just not that much Valkyrie (just two pieces and two soldier from the old times when it was optimized for max stats)
For an average player it should go. Sometimes I use assassins signet instead of shadowstep for even higher backstabs, but not often, shadowstep is so nice. ^^

Ghostwolf.9863:

regarding the picture attached

What the hell gave you 21 stacks of might?

Lamuness.3570:

Ghostwolf.9863:

regarding the picture attached

What the hell gave you 21 stacks of might?

http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Signets_of_Power

Notice how all signets are on cd.

Only recent vid I’ve seen with 10k bs would be this one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py2y8P3IyIg

edit: saw this revolved more around spvp than wvw so the vid I have is irrelevant

This is a recent video – I’m running a similar build, 06620, valk armor, runes of strength, zerker weapons and trinkets, I use sigil of fire and bloodlust whereas he uses air and fire, I don’t use sigils for skills as my main focus is capping camps and not 1vX, so I have slightly different traits and skills and don’t get the sigil boni. When I have my wvw stacks and full bloodlust my backstabs can go a lot higher than 10k, depending on who I hit (Edit: And how long I’ve been in stealth beforehand) and it isn’t only uplevels who get hit the hardest. The average backstab I do is somewhere around 7,5k.

NinjaEd.3946:

xXBurningEmberXx.6085:

How am I not generating the 10k I c in vids? Has is been needed?

Where have you been exactly? Thief has been nerfed a lot since launch, and it isn’t going to get any better. If you want to play like thief did back from the beginning best you pick a new profession and save the effort.

P/D thieves dosnt care about the thief changes cause ANET only buffing them.There is p/d thieves,and there is thieves.