Notes from author
76 poise with a fast roll, and you don't look like a complete idiot wearing a massive stone breastplate and a shredded up skirt. Prepare to Strut.
This build can use any weapon that weighs 6.0 units or less (7.5 units worth of weapon and shield total). Claymore, Baldur Side Sword, Falchion, Longsword, Halberd, Warpick, you name it. You've got the stats to max the physical damage on basically anything. I just picked the Gargoyle's Halberd because it's clearly the best weapon in the game.
If you need health and stamina more than poise, you can swap the Black Iron Gauntlets for anything that weighs 3.2 units or less and still have over 53 poise and a fast roll with the Ring of Favor and Protection. I think the Eastern Gauntlets look the best, because they let you keep the long sleeves on the Dingy Robe. But the Lord's Blade Gloves are probably the best replacement, as they give you 61 poise and okay defenses.
Or if you don't care about poise at all, swap the Wolf Ring out for whatever. (Obviously.) I put 1 point in Intelligence so you can legitimately get the Lingering Dragoncrest Ring, which goes nicely with your one casting of Power Within. Using it will immediately set people on the defensive, but you can use that to your advantage. Don't forget that PW buffs your stamina regen as well. (Or use any other pyromancy you want. Or take a few points out of Vitality and into Attunement to slot in Black Flame. Try turtling THAT, chumps.)
