Backstab and Critical Hits

[SS]

Can anyone tell me what the exact formula is for calculating
backstab damage, especially on a critical hit?

I just finished the game finally, playing with a halfling thief.
I finished Sarevok with a backstab that was a critical hit, but
I didnt catch what the damage was.

I was using the short sword of backstabbing (+3) and I was at
level 9, so I did 4x damage. My strength was 20 at the time of
the backstab (started at 17, went to 18 with the tome, and I
had a "draw upon holy might" spell in effect.)

What's the maximum damage I could do with a critical hit
backstab with above combination and how do you calculate it?

Thanks.

[Rus]

This topic is definitely in question, but they are supposedly using 2nd
edition rules so it would go like this.
The sword in question is a short sword so damage is 1d6. The rule states
that only the standard damage is multiplied. So, in this case the range
would be 4X1d6 + 3(magical) + 8(strength) = 4-24 + 11 = 15-35
35 should be your max with a backstab. However, if the backstab was also a
critical(20) then the end result is then doubled. 2X(15-35) or 30-70. I
once did 119 points of damage with a critical backstab, but I had other
bonuses for weapon skill and higher strength.

Backstabs: (Multiplier) X (Weapon) + Magical + Strength + Weapon Skill
Criticals: 2 X (Weapon + Magical + Strength + Weapon Skill)

Backstabs multiply only weapon damage then add other bonuses. Criticals add
weapon and all other bonuses and then double it.

Using this formula lets consider what the maximum would be for backstabbing
in this game. A Fighter/Thief 6/9
Using a +3 Scimitar with 25 strength, 4 slots in large sword, and guantlets
of weapon expertise.

(4X1d8)+ 3+14+4+2= (4-32)+23= 27-55
If it is also a critcal then 54-110

Since I know that I did 119 damage with a 7/8 F/T (only a 3X mult.), there
must be something else at work here.
As stated in the rules the above is how it "should" work, but in practice
there is obviously something I missed or another way of calculating it.

Russ

[Rockz]

The formula has been revised in TOSC to give less damage.
Did you get the 119 damage before or after TOSC installed?

In article <7lpmvf$1a32$1...@odie.mcleod.net>, r...@chipsnet.com says...

[Rus]

Just a few days ago (after TOSC) after installing latest patch (Beta Patch
3: 6mb). I had previously gotten other high damage criticals, but I really
did not keep too close an eye on it. There are only a few characters in the
game that could survive a critical backstab from a high-level f/t.

Russ

[emos]

I just got 96 damage on a critical backstab with Coran. He has the Ogre
Strength Gauntlets and +3 scimitar. This is with TOSC installed.

Rockz <ro...@spam.no> wrote in message
news:MPG.11eb02e1c...@news3.ibm.net...

[Rockz]

96 falls within the 54-110 range according to Rus formula.
119 doesn't. Does anyone know what we're missing?

In article <7lqsqj$enf$1...@nntp1.atl.mindspring.net>,
emosb...@mindspring.com says...