Can my WF LOB be saved from gimpness

[Gazneth]

On my second lord of blades life right now. After update 14, the survival ability of this character has fallen off dramatically. My current build is a pretty standard LOB right now. Str. Con. A little Int. For umd this life, low Wis. Dex. and Cha.. Feats are toughness, power attack, extend, empower heal, improve crit, quicken, and empower I think. Currently just shy of level 20, I would like to run the new expansion but the last few levels have been miserable. Any suggestions to retune this to make this poor fella fun to play again. I still have the free lr available and most stats have +2 or 3 tomes already. Other LOB 's that I have spoken with are in the same boat, just wanted to see if anyone has found a solution yet. If not I will probably tr when I hit 20 and do a Sorc. Life. Thanks for any suggestions. I do not want to be a half elf FvS either they are to ugly even with helmet on.

[Cold_Stele]

18FVS 2 Monk, Cleave, Great Cleave and Legendary Dreadnaught are pretty awesome. I'd say my melee DPS has increased exponentially. Prior to U14 melee definitely felt gimped.

My main melee FvS is HElf though. My WF LOB definitely feels sub-par in comparison.

[Gazneth]

Would the 18/2 monk work as warforge? Right now dps seems average about the same as before update. Better this life than last gear and tomes helped a lot. Could never kill mobs as fast as a good meelee player but never needed a before nannybot either.

[Gazneth]

One month later, I took advantage of the free respec. Started with max wisdom then split the rest between strength and constitution, I had a few points into intelligence because I like umd. All level ups into wisdom. For feats toughness, power attack, empower heal, maximize, quicken, improved crit slashing, adamantine body. I have swapped out the body feat a couple times now and decided i really like having it for the PRR and DR 12 at cap. Currently at level 22 exaulted angel and rocking a few more wisdom points, and some extra sp and heal enhancements. Now how does it play? 36 wisdom helps my spells actually land, I have never had destruction, blade barrier. And implosion kill so fast. Drow in the kings forest level drain or symbol of death and destruction or implode, non evasion mobs save much less against blade barrier. Melee finishes off stragglers. What did I lose? Maybe 10 points of strength. It does really make melee weaker but the casting ability more than makes up for that. Also more survivable because mobs are already weakened, before the sword comes out. Playing much differently than before but I believe I have saved my LotB and happy I'm. Not an ugly half elf.

[macadope]

NO, he cannot be saved. A favored soul swinging a weapon is inherently gimp. (handwraps aren't weps)

[DarkForte]

I soloed all of the expansion content on my LoB favored soul. It's still a very viable build.

[PurdueDave]

If it's any consolation, the time just shy of level 20 is miserable for everybody right now.