Long ago implemented but perhaps forgotten in this discussion:
- Master of Kyusho-Jitsu does improve nerve beyond the base.

NCR:

- Nerve can initiate combat.
- Nerve is about 1 1/2 rounds of lag to use. (Exploit Vitals cuts this a bit further.)
- Damage dealt by Exploit Vitals reduced (it's now on top of a less sad skill)
- Even without Exploit Vitals, nerve deals a very small amount of damage. (Think on the order of Lash.)
- Repeated strikes to the same location (still random) can inflict some greater and/or longer duration penalties. For example, repeatedly kicking someone in the knee will sap some movement in addition to -DEX.
- Spamming nerve in PK still probably a dubious choice 90%+ of the time but might shine a bit in long enough fights.