Notes from author
My SL1 Build
Weapons:
Reinforced Club infused with fire/chaos, divine, magic, and lightning.
Light Crossbow
Blacksmith Giant Hammer
Jagged Ghost Blade
Shields:
Grass Crest Shield
Crest Shield
Dragon Crest Shield
Balder Shield
Sanctus
Casting:
Ascended Pyromancy Flame
Armor:
Whatever you like :)
Mimic Head, Crown of Dusk, and Mask of the Child are all quite useful on SL1.
Rings:
Everything. Seriously everything. Ring swapping is a great tool for SL1 Builds.
Tips & Tricks:
+ Reinforced Club is your new bae.
+ Pyromancy if very good, and makes SL1 runs much easier (a fun challenge is no pyro SL1).
+ You have very little health, so many late game bosses have attacks that will oneshot you - consider using [Hypermode](https://old.reddit.com/r/onebros/comments/d66x6r/sl1_sustained_hyper_mode_and_psycho_mode/)
P.S. For greater weapon variety, or if you want to mix it up, pick any starting class and do a base level run (i.e. no character leveling). Assuming you don't use pyromancy, each class provides its own fun & challenges.