I generally zoom out to the max with Numpad- and use the max FOV. Awareness FTW.
Rondel is very fast and can devastate an enemy up close with those stabs, however pretty much any proper sword will have more general utility (not to mention more attack directions), whilst also letting you block after losing your shield. A broad short sword can be nice, if you are using multiple weapons, due to it being 0 slot, whilst it still remains a very good weapon, with a decent 1h stab. A niuweidao, on the other hand, is deadly for hitting enemies with swings, but has no stab.