Borderlands 2 Finally Makes Melee Combat Matter

I initially chose the sniper Mordecai in the first Borderlands because he carried a machete-style blade and his character description promised that his special abilities would make using it worthwhile. Unfortunately, when I got into the game proper, I learned that the slow, sluggish single-attack melee was something only to be used if I wanted some variety and knew that the enemy I was fighting could be easily defeated.