I do feel like with the scaled down AP, in addition to all of the elemental shit flying around, movement needs a buff. Maybe like increase move speed across the board by 15% or something. Then with Pawn and a movement spell or 2, melee characters are fine. But without those, straight up walk around melee is not viable.
I will admit i didn't even play a melee str based character on my play through, and the rogue was honestly just a pain in the ass until i got got 2 relocation abilities and Pawn on him