How do sneak attacks work?

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I saw there was an option to ditch backstabbing and add in sneak attacks. I also did a search on this forum and came up with conflicting information. I understand how it is supposed to work according to the 3e rules, but don't know how it actually works in IWD.

1) Can you sneak attack with a non-thief weapon?

2) Can you sneak attack with a missile weapon?

 

No

No

 

It's still worth doing, though; the amount of damage from flanking attacks is very useful as it really makes your thief a killing machine. And Crippling Strike (etc.) is useful, too. One of the best things about IWD is the way it combines some 3E rules into the engine, which makes for a better balanced experience, imho.

 

So, what weapon in this game is best for sneak attacks?

 

The conflicting info would be on account of TotLM. 3e terms such as Crippling Strike do not find mention in a simple IWD + HoW game.
Any melee weapon that a single class thief can weild can be used for backstabbing. I think the list would be the same as with BG II.
As with any backstabbing operation, using a weapon with maximum enchantment bonus works. Remember that additional elemental bonuses do not count for backstab-multiplyer.

 

@ Klorox: any. Sneak attacks add d6 damage per 4 levels of thief, base damage has no effect. Of course, the extra damage still counts, but it doesn't get multiplied or anything, so it's not as dramatic an effect. Just use whatever high-enchantment weapon that your thief can use, to ensure the hit lands.

 

1)Yes
2)Yes

My dwarf fighter/thief even got in a crippling strike against one of the harpies with the throwing axe +2 in ToTL. You just have to attack from behind.
Best Weapon: Long Sword of Action +4. (unless you cheat for the morningstar of action +4)