Fast Attack Timing

[JesterVae]

I play with a controller, if that matters.

Is there any way to determine the Fast Attack animation that will play? I can't tell if it's random or if there are factors under my control in this decision.

Far too often, my first "Fast Attack" is this giant, spinning motion that is anything but fast, and definitely belongs in the Strong Attack category. Then other times Geralt unleashes this lightning-fast stab, and there's another pretty quick slash that I like. Heck, I even like the roll-stab he does sometimes, but 80% of my Fast Attack openers are that horridly slow spin that often gets me smacked.

Since I play on Death March, those smacks hurt a lot, especially when I spin in on a Cyclops who uses the time to pimp-hand the life out of me.

[Black Sheep Wall]

I think I know what you are talking about.
I definately know the move.
That flying/jumping spin strike he does?

Near as I can tell, he only does that if you aren't close to what you are trying to hit.
Dodge in close before fast striking and it'll use better animations.
That's my experience anyways.

[Cockroach]

Yeh, If you are standing still and press fast attack, then he will do a fast attack. But if you are pressing a direction and a fast attack, and the mob is a distance away then he will do a fast attack at length. It is not the same as a heavy attack as you will notice his movement to the target is fast.