Yes it is luck entirely. I have low speed but very good strength and insane agility. I lost all but 2 fights of many until I got a sword at lv4 and now I can do well unless someone cheapos in with a dog and weapons and it's over. It's all random so you really can't so much 'win' until you load up on a few weapons and a pile of those boxes with skills in it. I got like herculean strength, cat like reflexes, and some other one and sword use. Strength allows for a slow and if it hits(not common) big hit, cat like lets me dodge/dodge-counter/run in and double strike, and well sword is umm obvious.
See for yourself: http://mariolander.mybrute.com
See for yourself: http://mariolander.mybrute.com