Depending on the type of armor the opponent has, and ALSO depending on the TYPE of move used with the melee weapon, the weapon will take some damage. Requiring repairs if the damage warrants it.
Example:
A Machete "Swung" at an opponent in Combat Armor will suffer X% damage
A Machete "Thrusted" at an opponent in Combat Armor will suffer (X%-5).
This will breed the need for quick thinking as a melee character, and add a level of thought process not seen in the melee field of combat. Now HtH users will have to be quick in their assesment of the threat to determine the best course of action.
More thought process = deeper levels of combat. Which seems like it's always a good thing.
Thoughts?