Baldur's Gate : The Sword Coast Chronicles : NWN2 Persistent World

What do you guys think of the new crusader kit, and how would you guys go about building one and why? It does sound really interesting to me, even if in the long run it's probably not stronger than the spells you lose. My first inclination was a great smiter because I've never played one (just a cavalier and a couple EDM-style cleric types) but I forgot that requires 25 CHA which seems pretty onerous (would require aasimar and tanking all your other stats). Then I was thinking a high str build for it, which sounds appealing but then my suspicion is mechanically you'd just be a worse 2h fighter with some flavor. Would have to go 30 crusader, which I'm fine with but would preclude any dips at all. I saw on the database that Yuglash put up a couple example builds, one for a str IPA build and one for EDM/DS. That would probably make better use out of being a pure paladin, but I don't know if I can stomach playing another EDM build, and frankly I have no business rolling any more chars right now either way So my heart is leaning something towards a str build somewhat similar to Yuglash's... What do you guys think about these, and any other options I'm missing?

Examples:

Str build
http://nwn2db.com/build/?280388

EDM/DS build
http://nwn2db.com/build/?280331

I also was thinking of doing a third build with ICE instead of HeavyArmorOptimization. Full STR, dont take PA/IPA, but Steadfest Determination. May also take the HAO feats.

And/or Northlander Hewing, but not sure because the lost extra attacks would profit from HolySword.

Overall i found the kit balanced and nice. I like that it supports 2h fighting Paladins and doesnt need buffing. Also not that bad if you got dispelled as paladin spells normally cant be recast, since you dont have the spellslots.

As someone who likes playing around with building concepts, I don't like that this kit is pretty much another all or nothing class - but in itself it looks good to me.

Of course, I immediately wondered whether a powerful crusader with a shield fetish might be possible and found the following dip option. Let me know what you think, fellow tinkerers...
http://nwn2db.com/build/?280598