How to Backstab in Elden Ring

Want to know how you can perform a backstab in Elden Ring?

There are a handful of ways how you can score a critical hit in Elden Ring, and the options are far more than other FromSoftware titles. Thanks to the hidden stance system, parrying isn’t the only way to stagger your opponent. 

In Elden Ring, FromSoftware added Guard Counters, Sleep Arrows, and Jumping Attacks as alternate ways of scoring a critical hit. 

However, a trusty old-fashioned backstab is still one of the quickest ways to get a critical hit in Elden Ring. Fortunately, backstabs are performed almost exactly the same way as other FromSoftware titles, but there are some changes that make it easier for your victims to break free. 

If you want to be unstoppable in the game, learning how to land backstabs is crucial. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. 

Today, we will show you how to backstab in Elden Ring. 

Let’s begin!

How Backstab Works in Elden Ring

A Backstab in Elden Ring is a type of critical hit. However, critical hits aren’t random, and they can only be performed under certain conditions. Keep in mind that critical hits are different from breaking an enemy’s posture since they can still be performed while standing, but it does less damage than a critical hit. 

They can also be tricky to pull off, especially against agile opponents, and most players utilize Backstab to initiate combat than as a mid-combat maneuver. 

The damage a Backstab deal can be determined by the Critical stat of your weapon. Almost every weapon in Elden Ring has a critical stat of 100, the baseline for all armaments, but a few deal high damage when Backstabbing. 

Daggers, Rapiers, the Executioner’s Greataxe, the Lordsworn’s Greatsword, and Misericrode all deal much higher critical damage than their counterparts. 

Performing a Backstab

To perform a Backstab in Elden Ring, you’ll need to get behind your intended target without them knowing. You can do backstabs anytime you are behind an enemy, even n the middle of combat, given your positioning is right. 

However, it is best to take advantage of the Stealth system in Elden Ring for Backstabs since it is a very effective way of initiating combat without getting noticed. 

Once you are behind a target, press the Light Attack button for the hand holding your weapon. 

Your aim doesn’t have to be that precise, but it is important not to hold down the button when attempting a Backstab, or you’ll do a Light Attack instead. Press the shoulder or R1 button and rapidly release it. 

If your positioning is correct, you should initiate a weapon-based animation of your character striking the target. 

Backstab Tips

Builds that are focused on dealing backstabs to enemies can be a viable strategy in most of FromSoftware titles, especially when it comes to PvP. However, players are able to escape the animation before the attack connects. 

Whether this change is intended or not, it reduces the overall power of backstabbing, though it’s still good for PvE. 

Additionally, it is not advisable to attempt a Backstab on large enemies, as only enemies about the size of your character are vulnerable to this mechanic. 

That ends our guide on how to perform a Backstab in Elden Ring. If you have questions or other concerns, please drop a comment below, and we’ll do our best to answer them.