Notes from author
Anti-Oroboro II, beacause R1 hurts my bum
Armour choice: Highest possible slash defence counters the falchion's slash damage. High poise allows you to roll away from R1R1R1 without getting stunlocked into the abyss
Great Magic Barrier: Defends against Darkmoon blade and WotG.
Shields: Crest shield blocks DMB R1 spam (80% magic dmg reduction, 100% physical reduction), Effigy shield blocks the backup Sunlight Blade (90% Lightning, 90% Phys).
Spear: Divine upgrade path because the Grass Crest Shield's weakest damage reduction is for magic (only blocks 42%). Spear because Brandon himself admits that this weapon type is the build's weakness.