Both @DevardKrown and @sarevok57 make good arguments, but both fail to realize that dwarfs +5 saves are so much better than +1 STR So if we're talking sustained damage, the one who never fails a saving throw wins over the one with +1 to damage (or 2 at the start).
so for "best melee dps class" the answer is obvious - it's half-orc kensai. berserker is more tanky but do less damage and that's why they aren't winner.
I'd mention something we have not mentioned: A monk is never weak, and gets very powerful during SoA and ToB, and I believe Dark Moon Monk effectively gets the largest possible DPR lategame, not taking Mislead/Backstab into account: With 25STR (Reachable with appropriate belt or with an innate 18 STR and all the buffs you can get here and there, and Righteous Magic from Headband of the devout) you'll deal, if I am correct, 43 damage per hit. That's slightly lower than the damage per hit of a Kensai with an optimal weapon, but you can use (and more importantly, stack multiple times) the Frozen Fist Ability, resulting in ridiculous Cold damage per hit. Besides, a monk may have a decent to good AC, has access to Hardiness, may easily reach 100% MR... A very good pick if you want damage AND sustainability.
@Arrunsun A monk sounds really cool - if for nothing else, they're 'different' How do you like to play the monk? Run around and beat up mages in the face while the melee guys take on the melee mobs?
@Arrunsun A monk sounds really cool - if for nothing else, they're 'different' How do you like to play the monk? Run around and beat up mages in the face while the melee guys take on the melee mobs?
I've not played one, but from what I've seen about monks, they start squishy (BG1) but by BG2 they can tank both melee types and mage types alike.
Mislead assassin/mage or mislead thief/mage or mislead fighter/mage/thief. Basically mislead and backstab, I can't think of a better version of sustained DPS than that.
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berserker is more tanky but do less damage and that's why they aren't winner.
A monk is never weak, and gets very powerful during SoA and ToB, and I believe Dark Moon Monk effectively gets the largest possible DPR lategame, not taking Mislead/Backstab into account:
With 25STR (Reachable with appropriate belt or with an innate 18 STR and all the buffs you can get here and there, and Righteous Magic from Headband of the devout) you'll deal, if I am correct, 43 damage per hit. That's slightly lower than the damage per hit of a Kensai with an optimal weapon, but you can use (and more importantly, stack multiple times) the Frozen Fist Ability, resulting in ridiculous Cold damage per hit.
Besides, a monk may have a decent to good AC, has access to Hardiness, may easily reach 100% MR... A very good pick if you want damage AND sustainability.