Larian Studios Forums Divinity: Original Sin 2 Divinity - Original Sin 2 - Suggestions and Feedback Allow spears to backstab

I just don't see the reasoning behind making Spears a Dex weapon to begin with. It's hard to imagine a stealthy rogue-type carrying around a huge spear....

In any case, I'm all for consistency. I have a complicated proposal which everyone might dislike but here is the idea:

Ranged attacks:

If ranged attack is physical (bows, throwing knife): Dex scales dmg.
If ranged attack is magical (elemental dmg on bows, wands, staff of magus skill): Int scales magic dmg and Dex scales physical dmg.

Melee attacks:

If melee attack is physical (every melee weapon except staff): Str scales dmg.
If melee attack is magical (any elemental dmg melee weapon, staff): Int scales magic dmg, Str scales physical dmg.

In this model the dmg scaling is based on the particular type of damage, regardless of weapon type.

In addition, backstab (if it is to be kept as a Talent choice) should only apply bonuses to physical dmg, and should apply only to melee attacks with Daggers, Swords, and Spears (i.e. weapons that you can actually stab with).

I see the point about hitting someone in the back of the head with a mace, etc, and this makes sense. The only thing that bothers me about that is the "stab" part of backstab. Maybe if they got rid of the backstab talent altogether, then all attacks from behind could get some bonus as you guys were saying. That would make sense, too.

It makes even less sense now, because most weapons have their own trait/skill now.

Piercing weapons like spear and dagger could also deal a percentage of armor piercing damage, so vitality damage instead of only armor damage. Crushing weapons could deal extra damage to armor and slashing weapons would have a chance to cause bleeding even while armor not totally gone and definitive chance after armor is gone?

I wonder if just every attack against an enemy's backside should have some kind of damage bonus (like 20%). Bonking someone in the back of the head with a mace is about as effective as stabbing them. Rogue damage needs to be tweaked of course to balance for that.

Don't think spears should have full on backstab, but all scoundrel skills should work with them.

Blackjack is classic thief/thug weapon used from behind. not very piersing isnt it?
Concept of "backstab pierce" is a pure fantasy. Rather make talent "Dirty fighting" which means knowledge of anatomy(lore at least one?) and precise aim (dex at least 14?) cause an extra effect. Double dmg for small pierce weapons or single handed pierce/slash weapon. Stun for single handed crush weapon. Knockdown for two handed crush. Bleed for two handed pierce or slash weapons.

Then Dirty fighting efect/bonus depend on DEX so an rouge with a two handed club (str based) is harmless in face to face, then from behind is pretty nasty.
However, its clear that DOS2 goes way of casters and casual JRPG splash style of combat. Some weapon skills or different weapon dmg types are gone.
Well, ... maby next time.

Honestly I like the 'assassin' talent that they had in DOS 1 before they removed it. it made it so any weapon could back stab. I think daggers and knives should be able to back stab without even having to use a talent point, and Back stab should make it so any one handed weapon can back stab.