1.) whirlwind is useless sure, just like rampager for a warrior, these are just fun skills and if you want a situation it can be used then the magg even would be perfect, (if your group must kite them) you could have fun throwing enemies around while waiting to die, simple.
2.) The great sword can be entirely ranged actually, and ele survival is dependent on build and player skill, I rarely ever have the protection buff running both d/d and s/d rarely ever go down. Utility skills should be save for those mess up moments and to help the group, if you're in one.