Nobody mentioned Battle Charge? I like to snap onto a foe behind me with an punishing burst, by pushing down > Cam Reset > Charge. Has a nice radius, distance and damage when maxed - not to mention it renders you're INVINCIBLE ( from both damage AND knockbacks!), from when you hit the button, up until you've come to a skidding halt and (most) enemies are on their asses, giving me time to position myself for a Ghost Sword, followed by OP lightning chain, or Enflame..
I should also not omit the fact that B.charge, when timed right, negates even Dragon-form Jack's firebreaths of fuggery! So one can imagine how it can help you EASILY defeat Minion Mages - even SUMMONERS - UNSCATHED!! - simply charge, roll backwards, wait for them to cast their zappy death balls, then charge again!
NOT only will you negate their spell and score a reasonable amount of damage, they will be helplessly stuck in the final frames of their casting animation - letting you pop off yet another attack before you even roll away!
Only downside to B.Charge I've found is in the mistiming vs. late game enemies immune to knockback - Summoners being one of these.. Their melee attack is quick, has good range, does high damage + knockdown, so yeah, it isnt anything to scoff at!
Learn their patterns, time it well, and most importantly - DON'T forget to ROLL AWAY!