Hard Hitter raises the damage of crafted and found melee weapons. It is a Tier 2 Melee skill. Paired with Home Run later, it makes melee a real option against Swarmers and humans.
Yes, if you use melee at all. It is one of the most direct upgrades in the Melee tree.
Home Run, Field Repairs and The Reckoning. Fewer swings per kill also means less weapon wear.
Boot Knife combos need Switch It Up instead, since Hard Hitter skips the knife.
Bull Rush
Lets a sprinting melee attack stun a regular human or a Swarmer.
Busted Up
Restores some stamina with each melee kill.
Escape Artist
Lets you kill a smaller enemy right after breaking out of its grapple.
Executioner
Lets you stealth attack heavy Freakers, and kill heavy Freakers or large animals when breaking a grapple.