Originally posted by IvanTheTerrible:

don't try melee until you have Darkmetal weapons and shield(). Use a bow and lots of arrows and ofcourse keep your distance. Oh and do not mine at night it will be even harder.

I use a bronze shield and spear, and go full melee on them. Even without parrying them (which then only takes about 7 hits to kill them) it doesn't take much to bring them down anymore.