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As per the notes section, this is more of a build for an experienced player and/or for epic levels only.

I think I might be stupid enough to try this one out (..at least for a little bit).


Update:

After a "battery" of tests.. this thing is crazy powerful. (..see the comments section at the bottom of the build page.)

Its weak-spot is a pitiful Will save, BUT its Spell Resistance usually works (..though be on the look-out for a mental immunity item).

Further Update..

The build is a bust.. Weapon Finesse isn't transferring. (..damage was great, but I should have been looking at the attack numbers.)

The problem still exists with Monkey Grip in addition to Power Attack and Weapon Finesse.. so here is a non-Monkey Grip version with Kaedrins. (..no shield as a result, but other AC enhancements have been provided.)

Kneebiter | NWN2 Character Builder

Note that I did test it with variations - and this seemed the best all-round solution.

Ex. levels 19-20 could be Frenzied Berserker, to get Empower Power Attack. With just Power Attack it only adds 4 more damage per attack. Kaedrin's fixed Power Attack for a two-handed weapon to +6 damage (as opposed to the former +3 damage). If you add-in Improved Power attack then the FB's Empower Power Attack adds +8, though obviously with an additional -3 to attack.

In testing at these higher levels the AC was more important than the damage (..the inverse result at lower levels), especially considering *other* sources of damage.

Additionally, the Dualist class does provide an additional +1d6 (or average of 3) - that is somewhat close to Empower Power Attack's additional +4 with only Power Attack on - so the damage difference isn't that great.

The additional AC of +3 however, (assuming you have an Intelligence modifier), is substantial for this type of build. The additional skill points were nice as well.


As far as added damage though,

-it's piddly until you get Power Attack at character level 8.

+2 damage until character level 4.
+2 damage at character level 4.
+6 damage at character level 8 but at -3 attack (with Power Attack on).
+5 damage at character level 9 (via Elegant Strike).

So it's good by level 9.

The nice thing here is that you can add modifiers to both Strength and Dexterity to get damage that is NOT of the Critical/Sneak Attack immune variety. Of course Dexterity is being constantly improved so you have (beyond level 9):

+1 damage, attack, and AC at character level 16.
+1 damage, attack, and AC at character level 21.
+1 damage, attack, and AC at character level 24.
+1 damage, attack, and AC at character level 27.
+1 damage, attack, and AC at character level 29.

Note: all of this dexterity damage by-passes ALL damage reduction.

Additionally you have:

+2 damage and attacks at character level 17 via Melee Weapon Mastery.
+2 damage at character level 18 via Greater Weapon Specialization.
+1d6 damage at character level 21 via Precise Strike (..as mentioned above from the Dualist class).
+2 damage at character level 26 via Epic Weapon Specialization.
+1 damage and attacks and AC at character level 28 via Weapon Supremacy.

Here is a more "insane" version:

Kneebiter: The Insane Gnome | NWN2 Character Builder

With this build you have access to:

Improved Power Attack (level 15) = +12 damage
Enhanced Power Attack (level 22) = +10 damage
Enhanced Improved Power Attack (level 22) = +20 damage

Improved Combat Expertise (level 16) = +6 AC
Deadly Defense with Combat Expertise (level 17) = +3 AC + 1d6 damage
Deadly Defense with Improved Combat Expertise (level 17) = +6 AC + 1d6 damage.


The net AC is almost equal to the regular Kneebiter - though *with* Combat Expertise "on". And the same is true for the regular Kneebiter with Combat Expertise "on" vs. this build with Improved Combat Expertise "on". So mostly a -3 to attack numbers in comparison (which is actually -4 because of the loss of Weapon Supremacy at level 28).

Damage-wise it's +6 vs. +10 with Power Attack (at epic levels), with the addition of providing the option for +20 (at epic levels).

You loose (damage):
Greater Weapon Specialization (level 18) of +2.
Epic Weapon Specialization (level 26) of +2.
Weapon Supremacy (level 28) +1.

(..that's only a +1 damage difference with just Power Attack "on" at level 22.. compared to level 28. And of course you don't have the Improved Power Attack with the regular Kneebiter.)



What is NOT immediately apparent is:

1. Accelerated Will saves at lower levels (10 & 11),
2. Accelerated AC bonus of +1 at level 10.
3. The option at level 15 to add +12 damage (instead of +6).
4. The option at level 16 to add +6 AC (instead of +3)

These additions, despite a variable loss in attack numbers, might provide this build with greater "utility" - but it really depends on the module/campaign.

Of course you might really want that added Enhanced Improved Power Attack damage, and really don't care.