can i perplex, say, venom's damage when he pounces?

if dr. otto octavius pounces, can he use close combat expert?

im asking this because i think that the prerequisites are the unmodified values. but i could be wrong.

You can't modify his damage above 2, or else you can't make the pounce attack. This includes both CCE (which is a power action anyways) and Perplex. The damage value must be 2 Before and during the attack.

The best......and only......way to increase the damage DEALT to a character is to pick up an object during the pounce if they have SS, and use it in the same attack. Well, that and a critical hit, but I'd count on the engine block a bit more

Thawmus is 100% correct. In case anyone reading this is wondering about the specific ruling regarding modifying Pounce damage above 2, take a look at this bit from the General FAQ, Feats section:

Character stats cannot be modified (i.e. via Perplex or other means) to meet the prerequisite of the Feat at the time of use. However, if a character meets the prerequisites, then the stats may be modified (subject to the Rule of 3) as long as the prerequisites for the Feat are not violated.

Since Venom's damage is already 2, if Perplex is used on his damage, he would violate the prerequisits for Pounce.

It says that the stats may be modified if they meet the prerequistes. Why couldn't Vet Robin have his damaged increased to 4 or even 5.
Robin would have a 10 av and 3 damage with the +1 from pounce. Then you could perplex up damage 2 more.

You are missing the rest of his statement. The WHOLE statement is --

"...then the stats may be modified (subject to the Rule of 3) as long as the prerequisites for the Feat are not violated."

If you Perplex the damage beyond 2, then you cannot use the Pounce at all.

I never saw this in the FAQ. Was this recent??? I used perplex with Robin and pounce a few weeks back. I feel bad I cheated!!

That has been there since the FAQ was updated for Mutant Mayhem (which was in January, I believe).