Help with Character planning and optimization and tactics?

[Ulzgoroth]

My first suggestion would be go with fundamentals. If you're that overwhelmed, you don't need all those techniques complicating things. A sturdy shield, good armor, a strong arm, and a healthy level of Broadsword skill will work fine without any addons. Toss in some Knife to use a backup weapon, and carry at least a couple of them. Be sure to pick up Shield Wall if you use a large shield. Use whichever defense is most effective at the time, except don't Dodge and Drop unless you're sure it's ok to be on the ground.

Then pay attention to positioning, try not to let your enemies get around to your weapon side, and swing wildly with Attack maneuvers until they fall over. It's not the best possible tactics, probably, but it's not too bad either.