You can try Raidriar's Prowler build, it focuses on the tactical side of combat (using a combination of stealth, gadgets, and other goodies) rather than brute forcing everything in your way.
PS Merry Xmas :)
Do you have Quick Reflexes? Blocking adds a lot to the tactical aspect of melee combat. Use dodging instead of bashing if you have it. Stay in blocked mode, catch your enemy when he is power attacking and slash him with the sword. Also, use power attacks. There are 5 kinds (duh) one for each direction you are moving and one for standing still. Use them accordingly. With sideways power attack you may dodge the enemy strike and hit him in the same time, if you time it right
Also, knowing when to power attack can really save your skin! If I know I can't block too many attacks from a powerful enemy, I'll power attack frequently to try to keep em staggered. It's risky but it's often the only way a squishy character can survive!
I also like to lead my opponents into doing a charging power attack by block/backpedaling and then feinting a step forward and backpedaling again. This often tricks the enemy into swiping once and following up with a charging attack which activates Quick Reflexes and an easy sidestep! :)
We have got to have a post similar to the advanced archery corner, but for melee combatants. all the tactics, perk combinations, strategies and special moves into one neat list.
Myrmidon, the sword-master's tome
just a cool name that came to mind, still, Sam, Alastor, if you guys are still serious on doing that guide maybe we could broaden it a bit more, make it more of a community effort