Your first playthrough should be about exploration and discovery, not frustration. These builds are powerful enough to handle the game's challenges while still being fun and engaging to play.
Recommended Builds
#1: Bloodhound's Fang
Available early, carries to endgame, teaches combat fundamentals naturally.
Why it works: Bloodhound's Fang is the gold standard first-playthrough weapon. It's available after one evergaol fight in Limgrave, deals excellent damage with built-in bleed, and Bloodhound's Finesse teaches you to time dodges and counterattacks.
#2: Moonveil Magic
Combines melee katana combat with sorcery for a versatile hybrid experience.
Why it works: Moonveil lets you experience both melee and magic combat. Transient Moonlight is powerful but you also have a full sorcery toolkit. This build shows you more of the game's systems than any pure build.
#3: Blasphemous Blade
The HP-on-kill makes exploration comfortable and Taker's Flames is endlessly satisfying.
Why it works: Available after Rykard in Volcano Manor (mid-game). From that point, the weapon makes every remaining encounter more comfortable thanks to passive healing and a devastating weapon skill.