Brawler Archive

Ok, Im considering taking up a melee profession after getting my arse handed to me whenever someone gets within 10m of me, PvP or otherwise.

I'd be able to take up one elite melee profession and get the branch that contains all the defensive bonuses, the Melee Damage Mitigation in particular. This would mean ditching Pistols 1-4 and all the bits I have left of Scout (4-0-4-1). I will keep my main combat profession as Rifleman.

So, two things, is this a bad idea and if not, which profession would be the best to go for?