you can dodge to the left, right and back, with melee or ranged. you do not need stamina to do so, its just shorter with out it. if your ranged is out you can not "perfect dodge" you need to dodge early

This is all the info you need to master dodging. Though this assumes you have good situational awareness. Normally I would train that buy throwing wrenches at you but that would get me thrown in jail for assault, so ill give you tips instead.

1. Keep moving, never stand still the mobs will circle you and surround you, instead you need to be the one to circle them. or if its a wide hall don't let them past you

2. Swing at head height in most cases. Make sure you kill.

3. You can zigzag side step towards gunners and shooters if needed (the timing for sliding correctly is trash, though congrats if you are consistent with it)

4. every spot in a map has "Lanes" that the mob will follow to reach you. pay attention to this, as well as the audio. in time you will begin to be able switch between lanes and targets with out them hiting you from behind to let them know they are there. This will also allow you to better tell where specials may becoming from when all you have is the audio cue.

A. mutant, he screams and is the hardest one to dodge as latency makes it difficult, no audio for the grab, dodge when he reaches his arm out.

B. Hound. its barks\ howls at it pounces. or wait for it to start its jump if you can see it.

C. Pox burster. beep beep beep BEEP BEEP BEEPBEEPBEEP

D. Gunner and shooters. they stay at mid range, either use your ranged if able. if not, do your best to keep breaking line of sight with cover.

E. Flamers. flamer has a clear click. make sure to side step.

F. Trapper, the timing on this is the most forgiving. There is a sound of wire pulling taut, that is the cue just before it fires

G. Ragers and maulers , back stepping is most effective due to their attack speed for Ragers, maulers attack slow, so side step

H. Grenadier. you'll hear him pull the pin.

I. Sniper. pay attention to the lazer when it stops he has his target, keep moving cover to cover as you close distance or just shoot him. The timing is trick for dodging, one way to time it is to wait for him to pick a target. do something like click your tongue and count how many time you do before he shoots. It will be the same each time. if looking at one you will hear a charge sound just before firing.

All others can be treated as tankier version of the above. if there are no specials or elites the basic hoard mooks should never be hitting you.