I agree -- 1d2 Crusader is the way to go.

Gauntlet is clearly the style solution -- do a back-hand slap them for infinite damage! I mean, that is style points.

Worst that happens is the DM rules that it doesn't work that way, and you say "OK, then I lose".

Spend the rest of your levels on abilities that let you close with the target rapidly. Ideally you want to be able to activate the Luck effect (Ie, cast a heal spell), teleport or otherwise move quickly a long distance, and attack in a single round.