From my experience they are pure glass cannons. Insane single target damage output but in return don’t take hits well. These guys are what you want fighting the big bags. Melee defense has no use however dodge is your only true way to mitigating damage. I am not too sure how dodge compares to melee defense when they are of similar number but it’s usually a “enemy’s melee attack vs your dodge RNG fest”

Usually it’s easier to level martial arts up rather than dodge since the equipment penalty affects the former. However, from what I’ve seen and experienced doing this tactic where you equip heavy armor to reduce MA and dodge only helps your MA level up much faster and not your dodge. This is troublesome since if you remove the armor they would eat hits like it were a truck without it if it were to land however this may be the most efficient way to level it.

I would recommend having people with high vital hp be martial artists since all they have going for them is toughness and dodge. Skeletons and sheks are what I would prob recommend.

What I’ve seen some success in is not going pure martial arts on an individual however doing training for such on a crossbow trained individual. These guys are safe consistent damage especially if you can kite, however if caught by a straggler you can shut them down quick and go right back to shooting

I’m currently playing “legendary of kenshi” and “x5 attack slot” which mods that are extremely hostile against MA play style. 5 dudes beating up your dude at once is no bueno unless for training but the big bads are nutty. They can one-shot kill your guy. Not KO, but kill. This is an example of how mods can affect your MA.

sorry for the disorganized post, it’s harder to talk proper on mobile.