This. At one point, before EoC you can use the DFS spec in melee. It was used in shield boxing. So it should work in 07.
It would sort of even it out, still verac would have the advantage.
And to add, you only need 70-40-70, maybe higher str, for verac to be successful. Where as for a whip, probably 70/90/75. You'd be near max by then. Not to mention I remember the old days when I'd go to the Tournaments under the Duel Arena, Verac owned.