Ninjaing is harder these days with the higher levels IMO. Cut damage just doesn't cut it (lol) against some of the beefier dudes and the ranged just tear through the lamellar vest. Plus you don't have that burst of speed by comparison as a lot of people have 7 or 8 athletics these days. It's a tough time.
I'd suggest going something like a 2h/throw highbred with the studded warclub for that blunt damage.
Or some beastly 18/27 Nodachi Ninja. 18/27 6IF, 6PS, 9ATH, 8WM 186 2h WPF. Oh I might do that myself...