The game required nothing in the Tier 1-2 range, so I figured I'd try something sort of silly. Now the problem is that I'm having trouble evaluating which attack options I should use. I followed the duskblade handbook pretty closely; feats are: Exotic Weapon Prof Spiked Chain, Knowledge Devotion, Improved Trip, Practised Spellcaster, Power Attack, Combat Expertise. Gear is a belt of healing, +1 spiked chain, acid augment crystal, +1 breastplate, and my spell selections are: 1st: Chill touch, shocking grasp, resist energy, ray of enfeeblement. 2nd level: Dimension hop and ghoul touch.
Attack options: Knowledge Devotion not including, adds + 2-+5 attack/damage. Average damages.
Full attack + Punishing Stance: +11/+6, 2d4+5 +2d6 (if both attacks hit, avg = 17*2 = 34) ---- no spell slots, no moves
Full attack + Punishing Stance + 2nd level arcane wrath: +15/+6, 2d4+5 +2d6 + 2d10 on first: (28+17 damage) --- 2nd level
Full attack + Punishing Stance + 1st level arcane wrath: +15/+6, 2d4+5 +2d6 + 1d10 on first: (23.5+17 damage) --- 1st level
Emerald Razor + Punishing Stance + Power attack 7: +4 touch, 2d4+19 +2d6 = 31 damage. --- 1 maneuver
Emerald Razor + Punishing Stance + Power attack 7 + 1st level arcane wrath: +8 touch, 36.5 damage --- 1 maneuver, 1st level spell
Emerald Razor + Punishing Stance + Power attack 7 + 2nd level arcane wrath: +8 touch, 42 damage --- 1 maneuver, 2nd level spell
Shocking Grasp + Punishing Stance: +11 (+14 versus armor): 2d4+5 +7d6: 34.5 --- 1st level spell
Shocking Grasp + Punishing Stance + 1st level arcane wrath: +15 (+18 versus armor): 40 damage. --- 2 first level spell
Shocking Grasp + Punishing Stance + 2nd level arcane wrath: +15 (+18 versus armor): 45.5 damage. --- 1st + 2nd level spell
These don't even start to evaluate the possibility of tripping as well. Strength is 16 (+3). Maneuvers are Emerald Razor, Wall of Blades, Moment of Perfect Mind, and Burning Brand. But yeah, looking at these numbers, I'm having trouble evaluating which attack options are superior. I'm almost tempted to run weighted damage for AC 20/touch AC 13 say, and see what comes up. Anyone have any suggestions?