I'd just like to add that if you are rushed by a skeleton, then Defense may be your only option. I mean, I know it sounds stupid because they hit really [censored!] hard even in defense, but it breaks their combo. The reason you can't really counter is, they're smarter than people think. If you counter too soon they bring out their bow ( Red and Metal ), and then they hit you like a truck. However, counter too late and you're dead. I've thought about trying it with Lightning. After successfully killing one, charging lightning ( seeing as it's the fastest to charge ), and then wait til one is within range of a couple steps of melee, firing lightning to stun it, and then going in to finish off a combo.
That may sound dumb, but meh. It's my 2 cents.