Like others have said, level up vigor. If you want to run a spell caster, there’s two different kinds of spells, sorceries which usually scale with intelligence, and incantations which usually scale with faith. Dexterity can also speed up spell casting time. But dont worry too much about weapon stats at first. Just meet the minimum for the weapon and upgrade it with smithing stones
Play online and read peoples messages, esp if you’re stuck. Um dont listen to people who tell you to jump into a cavernous abyss, 90% of the time its a troll, but usually other people will put up messages that say “liar ahead”. There are legit invisible platforms and even walkways. There’s an abundant item called “colored stone” that you can drop off a ledge, and if the drop will kill you it shatters. But lots of people do leave helpful messages and point out hidden walls and secrets.
If you’re stuck on a boss, dont keep throwing yourself at it, just go somewhere else. It is a very large game and there arent any real chokepoints until late game. So if you’re stuck, just go follow a road you haven’t been down. This is a general strategy for souls games.
Use summons, and summon help for bosses if you’re stuck. Many bosses are kind of like puzzles that have specific strengths and weaknesses, especially the difficult ones. Heavily armored enemies are weaker to pierce, and often magic damage; stone enemies are weaker to blunt and magic; lightly armored enemies are weak to slash, undead enemies are weak to holy; beast enemies are weak to fire; dragon enemies and enemies wearing metal are weak to lightning, etc.,
sometimes the difference between being strong enough to beat an enemy is the weapons and defenses you use against them. Buffs are very strong, so spells and incantations that improve your attacks and defenses are very effective, but there are also craftable items that help as well. Your strategy gaming experience can def help. But if something kills you in 1-2 hits you just aren’t strong enough, come back later.
Dont listen to people who tell you the “right” way to play, these people are toxic. They tell you to “git gud” and then use a stack of buffs they got from a youtuber and then spam overpowered Ash of War (special attacks). The game is hard but a solid strategy works better than anything.
Shields are your friend, rolling and jumping are very effective at avoiding damage. Take your time, pay attention to enemy attack patterns, look for openings. DON’T GET GREEDY. take a beat and heal up before finishing something off.
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