Notes from author
Weapons
I enjoy the power of the Claymore and the agility of the Falchion, so I use both in my playthroughs. I prefer to upgrade them to enchanted, but it's also viable to keep one or both as "normal" and apply the Crystal Magic Weapon buff when necessary. Additionally, I like to use a bow; in this case, I upgrade a composite bow to enchanted and use moonlight arrows.
Armor
I prefer to maintain a light load, so I primarily wear the Dingy Robe. If I need more defense, I equip the Havel Ring and switch to the Giant Armor. I consistently use the Elite Knight Gauntlets and Wanderer Boots, keeping my load light regardless of the situation. For scenarios that require higher poise or overall defense, I switch to the Giant Set, managing a medium load even without Havel's Ring, possibly using the Mask of the Father with slightly less Endurance. In any case, I prefer to go without a helm or use the Dusk Crown.
Spells
I always have Dark Bead and Crystal Soul Spear prepared. The third and fourth slots are situational. I like to have Power Within for certain cases and White Dragon Breath for others. Additionally, I equip PvE spells like Cast Light or Fall Control when needed.
Leveling
Initially, I started by leveling stats as if building for a Quality build. I intended to focus solely on Dexterity, but after the first Black Knight dropped the Black Knight Sword (BKS), I used it for a significant part of the game. Once I had sufficient stats to wield my chosen weapons (in my case, the BKS), I focused on increasing Endurance and Vitality. When my Endurance reached a level where I could comfortably use the Giant Armor, I began increasing Intelligence to its cap, and then continued to develop the other stats accordingly.
