Learning Intermediate PVP; any advice?

I'm a fairly new player to Dark Souls, my highest level character is a 107, and I have yet to try and beat the game.
I currently play on a level 57, which I'm dedicating mostly to PVP. I've learned a lot in the past couple of weeks, what and what not to do in certain situations, all that.
I've been invading the forest as a Darkwraith in order to learn, is there a better place to do so at level 57? Full Giant's, Dark Magic and gankers is slightly annoying at this point.
I'm also trying to mix up my weapon selection, I have a Gold Tracer in my main hand, and a Great Scythe in reserve. What are some good weapon combinations that offer good versatility and effectiveness in multiple situations?

A better place to invade on level 50 than the forest? Literally ANYWHERE. The forest is where emos go to suffer all the pain of cutting without the scars.

If you have decent dex and strength, I would try spears. Fast, longest range in the game, moderately strong.

katanas, spears and greatswords (in no order) will usually be your "decent in every situation" kind of weapons.

This is what I currently have; http://mugenmonkey.com/darksouls/?c=203122310169080623
Any ideas on how it could be improved at it's current/close level?

EDIT: Scratch that, I missed a few things, THIS is my current gear. http://mugenmonkey.com/darksouls/?c=232536099744768554

oh boy.. umm lemme try working on something.

how ugly can your character be btw?

Currently, my character looks pretty dang suave, but I'm not looking for fashion tips, I'm looking for effectiveness. I can sort out the looks later on.

Sneezer wrote:This is what I currently have; http://mugenmonkey.com/darksouls/?c=203122310169080623
Any ideas on how it could be improved at it's current/close level?

EDIT: Scratch that, I missed a few things, THIS is my current gear. http://mugenmonkey.com/darksouls/?c=232536099744768554

Right now this build would look better at SL +100. For SL 50 you'll want elementals.

Yes, I do plan on going to 100, but I'd like to stick around this level for a while, get a basis of learning before I jump in with a lot more skilled people with a lot more capability.

Yeah if you're new to pvp then I probably wouldn't recommend kiln darkwraithing as you will just get spanked by higher SL players (you might win some and you usually don't lose anything you can't go back and retrieve so might be ok).

I'd be in anor londo for sure at that SL as I was terrified of darkwraiths at that SL even with sunbros on my first play (intimidation can work wonders) but yeah you will get ganked hard sometimes still because everyone summons sunbros from the fire before they go out the door. Kinda need to know what you wanna do first.

Definitely take the 107 SL toon to the Kiln if you have some decent gear though. I've been playing on PC all day and it's non-stop, let alone ps3/xbox (I'm darkwraith SL 106 or so on PC atm).

Good luck mate.

you're starting class is good for going hybrid int/dex or having a little bit of int and having gmw/gms/db.

here's a template for a hybrid int/dex build
http://mmdks.com/w82

if i can make a suggestion on the weapons and spells..
i'd say get a homing crystal soulmass, a crystal soul spear and a crystal magic weapon buff.
for the weapons use an uchigatana, a falchion, a silver knight spear, a moonlight greatsword, a moonlight butterfly horn and a composite bow.

Just to give you an idea of low SL builds:

http://mugenmonkey.com/darksouls/?c=490326735501073570

Forest is the worst place for low SLs since they can invade as high as SL 700s.

Just a note: I'm invading the forest as a Darkwraith, not as a covenant member, so I can get people closer to my level.

DWs as well can invade super builds. If I were you I would invade Anor Londo or Painted World since most people are at SL 60 in those areas.

hosting will get you people around your level. not in dark anor londo or darkmoon garden tho i'm pretty sure.

LunarFog wrote:The forest is where emos go to suffer all the pain of cutting without the scars.

This may end up as a quote in my sig. +1

Thanks, I appreciate the input.

The forest isn't to bad atm, I have had a couple of stupid host get themselves cornered, and a darkwraith interrupt a good 1v1, but other than that things are going good tonight.

LunarFog wrote:A better place to invade on level 50 than the forest? Literally ANYWHERE. The forest is where emos go to suffer all the pain of cutting without the scars.

Nah. No emos in the forest. Just people who are there for an all out war. Crazy, no doubt. But, I do agree with you that the forest is not the best place to learn PvP.

PvP in the forest is different than regular PvP. IF you spend too much time in the forest, your "duelling" skills will suffer. Different world.

As far as your curiosity in weapons, I'd say look at op in this thread.

top tier weapons in the meta atm.

As far as intermediate pvp, I'd say watch these 2 videos:







After that, I'd watch this one.



They helped me, hope they help you.

I have a SL 55. The beauty of having a DW that low is that you pretty much can invade anywhere. The particular hotspots are the Catacombs, the Painted World, and Anor Londo. Anor Londo is #1 for that level though. Just dont expect much honorable PvP if thats what youre looking for. The players at that SL are questing and wont take kindly to invaders, and thats all part of the fun!

If youre feeling particularly nasty, you can go invade at Sen's. Its not a major hotspot for SL 55 but you will find people. It makes for an awesome spot to troll questers. Thats both the bottom of Sen's and the top.