How to Backstab

A backstab is a combat mechanic that a player can perform on certain humanoid enemies. Read on to learn more about backstabs and how to perform them!

What is a Backstab?

A Type of Critical Attack

A staple from other Souls games, backstabs are a type of critical attack that the player can perform on humanoid enemies that are around their height.

These can be performed with almost any weapon, though they are exceptions.

How to Perform a Backstab

Player Must Be Behind the Enemy

You need to make sure you are aligned directly behind the enemy in order to perform a backstab.

Once you're sure you're directly behind them, press and hold R1.

If done correctly, this will play a different animation than a basic attack and will either kill the enemy outright or down them.

Cannot be Performed with Shield

It should be noted that you cannot perform backstabs with weapons equipped to your left hand.

This will merely just play the normal attack animation.

Best Used to Take out Isolated Enemies

Trying to pull a backstab off in a group of enemies isn't impossible, but may be difficult due to the sheer number.

The backstab works best in picking off enemies that are placed apart from each other, where you can pick them off one by one.

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