Most enemies in the game can be killed with a sword even as a low level character, if you play flawlessly. I can kill a Ghoul or an Ogre as a low level character by applying correct tactics. In principle, this could be done at level 1.

Does something like "correct tactics" exist for the Brontok? Is there a way to kill it by skill alone (as opposed to by beefing up your character attributes?)?

I can sidestep it, but even from the flank it sometimes makes my attack bounce off...

From the front, it even sometimes counters my charged-attack.

How do you guys go about it?

EDIT: Aha, I got it. A narrow enough sidestep will put you behind it. And it's slow to turn around and has no dodge.