Speaking from a Int Bear point of view. The stat driven for specials has nurfed that setup as far as being effective part of a team is concerned.
Its not a real tank, nor does it have the power that mages have that make them a good part of a team.

Since the mage weapon systems are not highly damaging for hand to hand combat. In the past this was a non issue due to max damage from Str specials but no longer.

I suggest the creation of hybrid type weapons that specifically aimed at correcting these issues. What comes to mind is an American Indian Shaman would also be a warrior. Maybe a hatchet that held magical properties but also had i nice physical damage different from the magic damage. Or it could give a huge critical bonus to physical combat.

I have not thought about the other hybrid setups. Maybe others have some ideas..