You will need skills where you can withstand or stay in the battle against bash or the like. Skills like conceal, riposte, defensive spin, may help you long enough in battle. You might do well with maces, or even whips, only if you manage to dish the first hit like strip away your opponent's weapon, or cranial and boneshatter, causing your opponent to drop his weapon. Else you might consider being a prep-whore or have good +hp items.

However recent changes to the dex helping against other skills may give you an edge against slower opponents. Sneak is invaluable and helps in getting the first strike.

I took whips and daggers as a dark-elf named Dahrimar (back then in Entropy) and had the Heartbeat legacy. That legacy is underrated and rocks so good, I tell ya.