diff --git a/common/ruletypes.h b/common/ruletypes.h
index 6d93a8790..99909e08a 100644
--- a/common/ruletypes.h
+++ b/common/ruletypes.h
@@ -587,6 +587,7 @@ RULE_INT(NPC, NPCToNPCAggroTimerMin, 500, "Minimum time span after which one NPC
 RULE_INT(NPC, NPCToNPCAggroTimerMax, 6000, "Maximum time span after which one NPC aggro another NPC (milliseconds)")
 RULE_BOOL(NPC, UseClassAsLastName, true, "Uses class archetype as LastName for NPC with none")
 RULE_BOOL(NPC, NewLevelScaling, true, "Better level scaling, use old if new formulas would break your server")
+RULE_REAL(NPC,NPCBackstabMod, 1.9, "Multiplier for NPC Backstab, Higher = Lower backstab amount")
 RULE_INT(NPC, NPCGatePercent, 20, " Percentage at which the NPC Will attempt to gate at")
 RULE_BOOL(NPC, NPCGateNearBind, false, "Will NPC attempt to gate when near bind location?")
 RULE_INT(NPC, NPCGateDistanceBind, 75, "Distance from bind before NPC will attempt to gate")
diff --git a/zone/special_attacks.cpp b/zone/special_attacks.cpp
index 20957f1bf..b642b3faa 100644
--- a/zone/special_attacks.cpp
+++ b/zone/special_attacks.cpp
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 #include "mob.h"
 #include "string_ids.h"
 #include "lua_parser.h"
+#include "npc.h"
 
 #include <string.h>
 
@@ -182,7 +183,7 @@ int Mob::GetBaseSkillDamage(EQ::skills::SkillType skill, Mob *target)
 				}
 			} else if (IsNPC()) {
 				auto *npc = CastToNPC();
-				base = std::max(base, npc->GetBaseDamage());
+				base = round((npc->GetMaxDMG() - npc->GetMinDMG()) / RuleR(NPC, NPCBackstabMod));
 				// parses show relatively low BS mods from lots of NPCs, so either their BS skill is super low
 				// or their mod is divided again, this is probably not the right mod, but it's better
 				skill_bonus /= 3.0f;