I don't think ember should focus to much with melee combat, look kinda broken when one run around with a hammer or something. Keep in mind, the bloody rabbits can rip and tear your frame with ease.
Melee should more be like an emergency when enemy get to close, so to slash/knock them back. Those bloody rabbits definitely gonna have an ability to pull multiple player into close range with those chains, thus forcing us into melee combat.
On the other hand, shouldn't restrict us from "high risk, high reward" playstyle.
Would like to play that style again, like i did in mass effect. Activating omni armor and shield, go rampage on the enemy. RUN UPFRONT AND SHOOT THEM IN THE FACE WITH SHOTGUNS AND RIFLE BUTT THEM TO SH*T before my armor and shield are depleted.