I think it would be a hell of a lot cooler if a game just let a survivor be an expert at one stab kills. No "double damage" or "backstab" damage. Instant kill. Didn't Dark age of Camalot do this? Isn't there an assasin type character with a "pierce artery" ability that let him instantly kill somebody? I think that would be a viable way to make thief types hold there own in combat. It'd be balanced because they could still only attack one thing at a time, while a warrior or mage could attack lots of guys simultaneously. As a master of one stab kills, a thief would have to rely on stealth and hit and run.
Hmm, I am not sure if it was planned as an one-hit instant kill in DAoC from the very beginning, but anyway Mythic fixed that.
Perforate Artery has large bonus to damage, and combined with poisons and backstab, yes it gives infiltrators even now the possibility if specced right, kill in just couple of hits.
But, if you can in a couple of hits kill mage or other stealther type character
don't think you can do that to heavy tank, like armsman or paladin.
But, anyway, your idea is very interesting.
