How does the melee combat system work?

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You can perform a standard attack and block, but there's also a stealth kill and special attack that I don't quite understand. There are some combo moves as well.
Does timing play a role? What is the purpose of special attack? How melee weapons change your moveset (chainsaw can be used for continuous offensive move by holding "attack" key and some can decapitate when aiming at head)?
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What is melee combat mode?
The term melee has been adopted and popularized in wargaming, table top, and video games to encompass all forms of close combat. This can include any combat that involves directly striking an opponent at ranges generally less than a metre, especially using martial arts or melee weapons.How do you make melee combat?
A well-choreographed set of moves, a pose that inspires fear or admiration, an enemy with a specific combat style and personality -- all these elements participate in making combat a satisfying element in any game, and they're all the task of the combat designer.What Makes a Good Combat System?
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