Death is pretty much everywhere in Demon’s Souls. Just like the original masterpiece by legendary developer FromSoftware, the recent remake captures that unique blend of alluring opacity and nightmarish despair down to the tip of a mind flayer’s tentacle. It’s great! But it’s no cakewalk. Regardless of whether one’s a veteran of Soulsborne games or a newcomer, there is a good chance players will see the “YOU DIED” screen at least a few times while moseying through Boletaria.
Throughout the game, there are a myriad of ways that one can defend themselves, but arguably the most effective way to not get killed is to kill everything else. There are tons of weapons available perfectly capable of doing just that: swords, large swords, very large swords, curved swords, axes, large axes, and many, many more. There are some useful tactics, too; arguably the most useful being the handy backstab technique. But how does one execute such a maneuver? This guide will explain how to successfully perform a backstab.
How to Perform a Backstab in Demon's Souls
As one might expect, the key to executing a backstab is getting around an enemy to their backside. Most enemies in Demon’s Souls have a pretty specific script that they follow, and so learning enemy patterns is key to figuring out the best way to get in place behind any given demon. Simply wait for an opportunity, get into position, and hit R1 while behind an enemy to stab them in the back and inflict a massive amount of damage.
Lining up the backstab animation can be a little finicky, though. In general, the most reliable position is to have the player character’s right hand (or the weapon-baring hand) line up with the center of the enemy’s back. There’s some margin for error, but it is necessary to get a feel for that sweet spot to then execute the backstab. Once done correctly, an extended stabbing animation will begin. Even if the enemy isn’t killed, they’ll be knocked to the ground momentarily. This should provide the player with a brief window to recover some stamina or get into an advantageous position. So why not take that time to ready oneself to backstab again? Keep in mind, though, bosses cannot be backstabbed. Otherwise, just like in real life, it’s a useful strategy for coming out on top!
Demon's Souls is available now on PlayStation 5.