As a melee user best if you focus your skills to appearance and as for the use of a melee weapon focus on vigor. To defend yourself against another melee dueler add a few points to toughness and to defend yourself against a firearm dueler, add a few points to reflex. Also add a few points to aim. I think for defense add some points to tactics and dodging or just buy a few items that can raise those skills. The yellow checkered shirt with +11 vigor and +9 tactics is an excellent defense clothing for a melee dueler.