Backstab and leaving shadow

ljbo

I started a run with a thief for the sole purpose of indulging in backstab. I have reached level 2, having split 50 points evenly into Hide in Shadow and Walk in Silence. I can approach quite a few baddies all right but as soon as I click on the weapon slot of my short sword, so that I can then target my victim, I come out of shadow, thus spoiling the surprise backstab. What is it I am doing wrong? Do I need a higher level of Hide in Shadow or the other one?

[Deleted User]

Are you immediately becoming visible, or just seeing "leaving shadows" in your dialogue box? You start leaving shadows when you go to attack, but you don't actually become visible to the enemies until you strike (or miss), so you still have the potential to backstab.

ljbo

Oh I see! I need to be just behind the target then, don't I? And preferably pausing the game before issuing the attack, so as to avoid a delay between clicking my weapon slot and clicking the target. Mmmhmmm lot more micro-management than I had thought.

the_spyder

Yes, you should be right behind the enemy you want to attack. And if they are already hostile, you don't need to click on your weapon. When you mouse over the enemy, it will already register as a potential attack target.

Backstabbing can be a really fun hobby. At 2nd level, I hit one of the assassins outside the entrance to the mines for 39 points of damage, obliterating her.