I do agree with the sentiments from the community that the melee changes added for 1.03 are not that great and makes for a frustrating experience with both Infected and Players alike.
I think melee should allow freedom of movement like it did, it allowed to arc your attacks if needed but I think how to make melee better (In my opinion):
- Pressing the attack button once should do a precise melee attack. (e.g stab with the knife/spear, using the head of a hammer/axe to "stab" etc). Allows for skill based precise striking.
- Subsequent pressing of melee attacks quickly after the first one should then go into the combo of swings like it does, but allowing to keep movement during the arc movement. Allows for continued damage output for continuous stamina use.
- Staggering should not be a feature in the game UNLESS being hit by a two handed weapon like a sledgehammer. Adrenaline would shrug off anything smaller and it gives a buff to slower two handed weapons.
I think that would make the melee much better and would keep the precise, skill based strikes of .62 prior builds and also the new changes of the new melee system.
At the very least the new melee changes added to 1.03 should be reverted.