Struggling with difficult opponents in Dark Souls 3? Learning how to backstab in Dark Souls 3 is an incredibly useful tactic that can help you take down even the toughest of foe when executed correctly. However, just like most things with all games like Dark Souls, mastering the art of backstabbing can be difficult.
But fear not as I have spent many hours slicing the spines of Dark Souls most feared enemies to bring you this comprehensive guide for beginners on how to backstab in Dark Souls 3 on all platforms.
Much like learning how to achieve basic mechanics like jumping in Dark Souls, I would encourage you to practice the art of backstabbing on weaker foe and learning which enemies are immune to this game mechanic also. After all, I would hate for you to read this guide and immediately start losing souls!
Now, without further ado, scroll down to learn how to position yourself for a successful backstab, what weapons work best, and how to deal with enemies who are resistant to backstabs in Dark Souls 3! 👇
How to backstab in Dark Souls 3
Backstabbing is one of the most effective ways to deal damage in Dark Souls 3. It allows you to get behind an enemy and deal huge amounts of damage with a single attack.
To backstab, approach an enemy from behind and press the your nominated attack button. This will cause your character to lunge forward and attempt to stab the enemy in the back. If successful, you will deal a huge amount of damage. One thing to keep in mind is that you can only backstab an enemy if you are sprinting and they are not already aware of your presence. If they are facing you, or if they have already spotted you, you will not be able to backstab them.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some enemies are resistant or immune to backstabs. These include certain types of undead enemies, as well as some bosses. When attempting a backstab on one of these enemies, you will only deal regular damage instead of increased damage.
Backstabs can be performed with any weapon, but some are better suited for it than others. Daggers and spears are good choices, as they have fast attack speeds and long reach. Greatswords and ultra-greatswords are not as good at backstabbing, due to their slower attack speeds.
Need to know more? No problem! Keep scrolling or click the links below to learn how to master backstabbing in Dark Souls 3 on PC, Xbox and PS5:
- How To Backstab In Dark Souls 3 – PC
- How To Backstab In Dark Souls 3 – Xbox
- How To Backstab In Dark Souls 3 – PS5
- Why Backstab Enemies In DS3?
- Can You Backstab Bosses In Dark Souls 3?
- Tips For Backstabbing In Dark Souls 3
How to backstab Dark Souls 3 – PC
To backstab in Dark Souls 3 on PC, follow these simple steps:
- First, click the ‘tab’ button for a third-person view.
- Get behind your enemy without being spotted.
- Press the attack button to perform a backstab with sword or dragon attacks.
- If you are not detected, press attack once more to backstab the enemy.
If done correctly, you will deal massive damage to your enemy. However, if you miss or are countered, you’ll take heavy damage yourself. This also goes for trying to backstab an enemy that is immune to this manoeuvre. Be careful out there!
How to backstab Dark Souls 3 – Xbox
To backstab in Dark Souls 3 on Xbox, follow these simple steps:
- First, get behind your target.
- Hold the joystick toward your enemy
- Press the attack button or RT while holding LB.
- Press the attack button again to backstab your enemy.
That’s all there is to it! If done correctly, this should deal a hefty amount of damage to your foe. Just be careful not to get surrounded by enemies, as this can leave you vulnerable to counter-attacks.
How to backstab Dark Souls 3 – PS5
To backstab in Dark Souls 3 on PS5, follow these simple steps:
- First, position yourself behind your target without being spotted.
- When you are close enough, your characters hand icon will appear.
- Press and hold the attack button and the directional control pad simultaneously.
- Press X to backstab your opponent which will inflict a massive damage.
It is important to note that not all enemies can be backstabbed. Some are immune to the move, while others will simply turn around too quickly for you to get the drop on them. However, when you do find an enemy who can be backstabbed, it’s a very powerful move that can often take them down in one hit.
So make sure to take advantage of it when you can!
Why backstab enemies in Dark Souls 3?
There are plenty of reasons to backstab enemies in Dark Souls 3. For one, it’s an incredibly effective way to take down tough opponents.
Additionally, it can catch enemies off-guard, giving you the upper hand in combat. But beyond those practical reasons, there’s something satisfying about plunging a blade into the back of a foe who thought they had you beat.
It’s a ruthless way to win, but sometimes that’s what it takes to survive in the world of Dark Souls 3. So next time you’re struggling against a powerful enemy, remember that a well-timed backstab could be the difference between life and death.
Can you backstab bosses in DS3?
Yes, you can backstab some bosses in Dark Souls 3. And, now you know how to backstab in Dark Souls 3 we have no doubt you’ll be itching to get started.
In Dark Souls 3, you can backstab bosses by attacking them from behind. To do this, you must first position yourself behind the boss and then press the attack button. The damage dealt by a backstab is usually high, and can often be enough to kill the boss outright.
The most common way is to use the L2/R2 (left stick and right stick) buttons to roll behind them and then press the circle button to backstab them. You can also use the R1/L1 (right bumper and left bumper) buttons to parry their attack and then press the circle button to backstab them. Additionally, you can use certain DS3 weapons or items that have the “backstab” ability to backstab bosses.
However, it is much more difficult to backstab bosses than it is to backstab regular enemies. The timing for a successful backstab is very tight, and you will need to have good positioning and aim to hit the boss’s weak spot. Additionally, most bosses have attacks that can break your posture, making it even harder to land a successful backstab.
Important Note: You can backstab most humanoid enemies and those that can be reposted and parried. Non-humanoid enemies including the Fang Boar can be backstabbed. However, it is impossible to backstab most non-humanoid enemies.
Backstabbing tips for Dark Souls 3
It’s one thing knowing how to backstab in Dark Souls 3 but it’s a totally different thing to know how to backstab effectively. Backstabbing is one of the most effective ways to take down an opponent in Dark Souls 3. It allows you to deal massive damage to an enemy while they are distracted or unaware, and can often lead to a quick and easy kill.
However, get this wrong and you will suffer major damage.
Here are my top tips for backstabbing in Dark Souls 3:
- To backstab successfully, make sure you have a good weapon. A dagger or shortsword is ideal, as they have good reach and are relatively light, making them easy to maneuver.
- Secondly, you need to be patient. Wait for an opportunity when your opponent is distracted or off-guard, then strike quickly and decisively.
- Finally, aim for the head or neck area for maximum effect. A well-placed backstab can deal enough damage to take down even the toughest opponents.
Some enemies who aggressively move around are able to outmaneuver players looking to backstab. In these cases, instead of body, head, or neck, choose the enemy’s feet to attack. This makes it easier to maneuver and backstab when the enemies turn.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are plenty of places where enemies can ambush you, so it’s important to always be on your guard.
Once you’re in position, wait for them to lower their guard before attacking. For most enemies, this means waiting until they’ve finished their attack animation. As soon as they’re open, thrust your weapon into their back and watch as they crumple to the ground.
The Final Word
Now you know how to backstab in Dark Souls 3, it’s time to put this into practice. With these tips in mind, you should be able to backstab your way to victory in Dark Souls 3 fairly comfortably after a few attempts.
Not all weapons can be used for backstabbing, so make sure you have the right weapon equipped before attempting this tactic. Remember that bows, Talismans, Crossbows, Whips, Pyromancy Flames, or Catalysts cannot backstab. Some weapons have dedicated backstab abilities while others can just be used for backstabbing in Dark Souls 3
With a little practice, you’ll be racking up backstabs in no time. Just remember to stay patient and always be aware of your surroundings. As with anything in any DS game, practice makes perfect and the art to success is always to map out both your entry and escape plan!
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