I tend to use a simpler strategy - charge in and start hitting
With specialisation in longswords/katanas & bastard swords soon to be added to the list, my Ranger/Fighter/Rogue just changes weapons depending on the type of enemy. The undead get a double dose of Blessing of the Daystar, etc. Recently tried out Bloodletter & Dragonslayer on Klauth - cue one dead beastie in fairly short order!
Personally, I tend to stick to the passive skills e.g. I have never used disarm or parry as I find I am blocking enough hits without them and I can't be bothered pausing during melee to activate them.
Still, one of the nice things about this game is that it can be played a variety of ways.