Optimal Power Strike?

[rustyspoon]

If you really want to game the system, PS is king. My 30/9 polearm build is WAY more effective than my 21/18 build; but I have more fun with the 21/18.

High damage cut weapons REALLY benefit from stacked strength. Even with the armor changes you can 1 and 2 hit people all day long. The slow movement speed just bored the shit out of me.

Currently I'm using this build with a German Poleaxe:

STR: 21
AGI: 18
HP: 70
IF: 7
PS: 7
ATH: 6
WM: 3
WPF: 130

Going for overheads or thrusts I can still kill people rather quickly unless they are in heirloomed plate. I can also take a ton of hits and not get outspammed. I'm also fast enough to run with any of my clanmates which really helps with getting the overheads in.

So if you want to be super-effective, go for stacked strength, but don't complain when it takes you all day to run across the map.

[Vibe]

I think WPF affects the speed of weapon going from block to swing, not from swing/stale to block.

[Cyclopsided]

I think WPF affects the speed of weapon going from block to swing, not from swing/stale to block.

there should be no difference. Anything noticed is placebo.

[Fartface]

i just always go 18-18 with an military scythe not heirloomed at all.
and i find that im hitting my enemys dead in 1-2-3 hits in medium armor so.
and 15/24 with an 2 times heirlooomed great axe that works great for me to so.

[MrShine]

I consider 'optimal power strike' to be whatever will reliably 1-3 shot the majority of people.  If you are spending longer trying to kill someone I personally feel that you are reducing your character's effectiveness. 

When I make builds I focus on PS for strength and ATH for agility... weapon master and ironflesh are just bonuses for whatever build is selected although I will say that I value ironflesh much more than weapon master so I usually favor the strength heavy side more.

Heavy cut weapons I'd say go no less than 7 ps.  'Regular' cut weapons I think 8 ps is best.  Pierce and blunt weapons I'd say you can probably bring your PS down to 6, some people go down to 5 but I've never been that low as a dedicated melee build.