D&D 2E A question on D&D 2e Backstab

[Lanefan]

And, frankly, the thief needed those significant moments. On so many other levels, the AD&D thief was a weak class.

True, and also easily usurped by a well-spelled MU (Knock, Spider Climb, Fly, Wizard Eye) and-or Cleric (Find Traps) and-or a couple of handy magic devices (Wand of Secret Door Detection, Chime of Opening, almost any scrying device).

Often the best thing a Thief (or Assassin) had going for it was if the DM allowed it to use poison on a regular basis.