So I know that getting back stabbed is a sometimes contentious mechanic of Dark Souls, but I wanted to kind of hash out when I feel it's justified and see if people feel the same way. I know there are quite a few Forest Hunters here, and probably a few of you that are fighting for the other side.
To start off, I have just recently figured out my "niche" in PvP. I was pretty terrible at it for a long time, almost constantly seeing the words YOU DIED after receiving a full yellow health bar of backstab damage. So I did what I'm sure many players did early on - I learned how to do backstabs myself. Then I ran around the forest Lightning Zwei-BS'ing anyone I could.
Needless to say, I'm well beyond that now and have discovered that playing a fast roll melee character is really fun. I am currently in the forest around lvl 75, two handing a rapier with no shield. I use my rapier to get quick hits in between large slow animation swings and slowly peel that health bar back to zero.
Wearing Alvina's Ring, being human, and dropping the Red Sign has kept me gainfully employed - I must have fought over a hundred battles today in just a few hours.
Wow, long intro. So here is when I justify a backstab.
2v1 Farmers : If I pop into the forest and see a pair of high level Giants/Smoughs wearing enemies, and they are just standing there waiting for my arrival - the phantom is getting backstabbed immediately. I go for the summon since they have nothing to lose, and need to be punished for participating without putting anything on the table. It also allows me to let the host know that he is about to be hitting that "Reverse Hollowing" option in the near future. I feel extra good if the host makes a run for the staircase for a new phantom before meeting his demise. Farmers die a cowards death best.
When it is tactically appropriate : If I am fighting someone using an incredibly slow weapon, and the opportunity presents itself - I am taking it. I do not fish for the backstab, I fish for the enemy to make a move - then strike in the most effective manner I can.
Magic/Pyro : I do not go for a backstab just because someone uses TWoPs or WoG, these are parts of the game that can be easily countered, and are very effective if used by the opponent correctly. But if someone goes torch the well kept hair of my character with a great combustion, I will most likely be kicking their lifeless body off the business end of my sword.
Spawn Campers : These are the absolute worst players, and if you've ever used the Red Sign Soapstone - you've probably met a few. It's pretty easy to avoid getting hit (I attribute this to lag and the camper not having the correct swing timing), and once I roll out of the way, I double check their ticket and politely guide them onto the backstab train. Aside from a farmers phantom, this is the only time I chain BS.
PvE : If I am questing and get invaded, the gloves are off. It is easy to tell if someone is looking for PvP or trying to get to that next bonfire, and if I am doing the latter there are no rules. I have never played as a Darkwraith for the games intended purpose, but if I did I think I would have the same mentality. This game is intended to be difficult, and when I was a new player, my heart would start racing when I saw that invasion banner.
So, does this list seem pretty fair? From a lot of the threads around here, it would be easy to get the impression that backstabs are completely frowned upon - but honestly, it's a big part of the play mechanic and we are trying to kill each other.
This morning I was summoned into the forest as a Dark Spirit and before I reached the host, I received a PSN message that said "Naked Boxing?" so obliged. We boxed for a while then suddenly he parried my fist, whipped out a lighting rapier and one shotted me. Afterwards, I PM'd him "Classy "... His response "Dark Souls " I smiled.
To start off, I have just recently figured out my "niche" in PvP. I was pretty terrible at it for a long time, almost constantly seeing the words YOU DIED after receiving a full yellow health bar of backstab damage. So I did what I'm sure many players did early on - I learned how to do backstabs myself. Then I ran around the forest Lightning Zwei-BS'ing anyone I could.
Needless to say, I'm well beyond that now and have discovered that playing a fast roll melee character is really fun. I am currently in the forest around lvl 75, two handing a rapier with no shield. I use my rapier to get quick hits in between large slow animation swings and slowly peel that health bar back to zero.
Wearing Alvina's Ring, being human, and dropping the Red Sign has kept me gainfully employed - I must have fought over a hundred battles today in just a few hours.
Wow, long intro. So here is when I justify a backstab.
2v1 Farmers : If I pop into the forest and see a pair of high level Giants/Smoughs wearing enemies, and they are just standing there waiting for my arrival - the phantom is getting backstabbed immediately. I go for the summon since they have nothing to lose, and need to be punished for participating without putting anything on the table. It also allows me to let the host know that he is about to be hitting that "Reverse Hollowing" option in the near future. I feel extra good if the host makes a run for the staircase for a new phantom before meeting his demise. Farmers die a cowards death best.
When it is tactically appropriate : If I am fighting someone using an incredibly slow weapon, and the opportunity presents itself - I am taking it. I do not fish for the backstab, I fish for the enemy to make a move - then strike in the most effective manner I can.
Magic/Pyro : I do not go for a backstab just because someone uses TWoPs or WoG, these are parts of the game that can be easily countered, and are very effective if used by the opponent correctly. But if someone goes torch the well kept hair of my character with a great combustion, I will most likely be kicking their lifeless body off the business end of my sword.
Spawn Campers : These are the absolute worst players, and if you've ever used the Red Sign Soapstone - you've probably met a few. It's pretty easy to avoid getting hit (I attribute this to lag and the camper not having the correct swing timing), and once I roll out of the way, I double check their ticket and politely guide them onto the backstab train. Aside from a farmers phantom, this is the only time I chain BS.
PvE : If I am questing and get invaded, the gloves are off. It is easy to tell if someone is looking for PvP or trying to get to that next bonfire, and if I am doing the latter there are no rules. I have never played as a Darkwraith for the games intended purpose, but if I did I think I would have the same mentality. This game is intended to be difficult, and when I was a new player, my heart would start racing when I saw that invasion banner.
So, does this list seem pretty fair? From a lot of the threads around here, it would be easy to get the impression that backstabs are completely frowned upon - but honestly, it's a big part of the play mechanic and we are trying to kill each other.
This morning I was summoned into the forest as a Dark Spirit and before I reached the host, I received a PSN message that said "Naked Boxing?" so obliged. We boxed for a while then suddenly he parried my fist, whipped out a lighting rapier and one shotted me. Afterwards, I PM'd him "Classy "... His response "Dark Souls " I smiled.
Last edited by dnatc on Sun Apr 08, 2012 2:35 am; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : first of many grammar spelling edits I'm sure...)