Notes from author
The main idea is that we can avoid almost all possible magic damage and remain quite agile to avoid stunlocks from Giant Daddies or to withstand it against Oroboros.
In detail: Havel's Greatshield gives poise to withstand stunning from small-size weapons;
Humanity, Havel's Greatshield and cloth resists against magic and fire give us almost impenetrable defiance against some bastards with Pursuers and so on;
quite a defence against poisoning and bleeding;
Gravelord Greatsword Dance for small-size arena there it's not available to avoid;
And a bit of power-upping for the Large Club, which I consider personally to be the best choice in terms weight|damage for this amount of strength. Besides, there's poison, and a Dung Pie Can easily add a lot to it.