First Lower LvL PvP Build

http://mmdks.com/2soq

I've only really dueled around the 100-120 range and I'm eager to try out the depths that is SL 55 PvP. I originally was going for a Blademaster with no shield with a Chaos Broadsword + Lightning Claymore/Bastard Sword but that was scrapped when I realized I'm trash at hitting parries. Kept the Broadsword because I enjoy the R2's more than the Longsword even with it's slightly shorter range, and threw in a Halberd just for shtsngigs until I find something else I'd rather use. I may bring back the Claymore/BS as a secondary incase I need to land some big hits, but still debating.

I made sure I hit the 53 poise breakpoint but I'm not too sure if everything else checks out.

Any advice would be helpful since I'm not used to PvP at this level so any good places or just tips about it would also be great.

Here is the condensed link for your build.
http://mmdks.com/2sos

The holy robe is the same weight and offers better protection, so I would use that over the Sage Robe. Otherwise it is a fairly good build, not exactly special in any category but good. I would personally not have the halberd on me, and just menu-swap to it when you think you need it. With practice and a bit of item-rearrangement you can menu-swap insanely fast. So if you go with the menu swap option, you can take points out of endurance and put them into vitality or attunement, while making it possible for you to use even more weapons then just your broadsword and halberd.

WOOPS, accidentally kept Surge in there I see. XD I had GC in there but I'm not entirely sure why I put Fire Surge in its place... Ah well. Demons.

I did start off with the Holy Robe but something about it I didn't quite like. In PvE or farming I'll keep the Sage Robe but I'll most likely switch to Holy in fights. Thanks man.

Personally, I do better with average builds. It's been like that in most games I play because it keeps me grounded. No glaring weaknesses but no overbearing strengths. Basically it helps me not act like a dumbass because I 100% know that if it was centered like a Dex build or Caster, I'd act like I'm Rambo and expect to end the fight in 2-3 hits. Too bad - I REALLY love Katanas and using spells.

Should I mix it up and toss something in for poise breaking/long distance? Seems like even if I had a large advantage on someone I wouldn't be able to keep the pressure for long.

Re-arranged stats a bit, and yes I kept Flame Surge. It still does its job with an ascended flame, which is chip damage. Combine that with a Black Flame, and a chaos bow for long-range. I feel like the Broadsword in the hands of a good weilder is enough pressure

http://m.mugenmonkey.com/?c=225830837504069163

If you do feel like you want to hot-swap to a halberd, then go the Wolf route as opposed to Havel's. At 40 End and FaP ring I feel like the Havel outshines the Wolf

That build looks to be very strong as well as better protection than my current one. Only problem is that my ring choices are fixed and I have no way of changing around my playstyle. But you're right, FaP with 40 END really allows for better combinations and so much more variety.

Yesterday while I was trying to work on PvP parrying, I noticed that it almost kinda... clicked? I just kinda knew when someone was going to attack and I'd nail the timing quite often. Did the same thing happen for anyone else? It would be interesting if I only got lucky against those people, or maybe everyone isn't as "unreadable" as they think.

Still, Lightning Claymore +5 is too good to not put into the build. I ditched the Halberd for it and I've had to change nothing at all. It was even possible to get two free levels out of it since I don't need 12 Dex. OH THE OPTIONS

Level 55 is low? I have a level 6 broadsword dual wield build i take out when i have a bad day. Hornet ring + 410 damage at the low of a level is way overkill. I rarely do it and am totally against totally annihilating new guys. Most of the time i'll drop some humanity or maybe some armor and sword for them and then stab their tender little back with my lightning broadsword. Anyways, here it is. All i raise was dex and str from the starting stats of a warrior. Maybe too low for you but a level 6 is low to me, not 55. 

p.s - OP low level builds vs. OP low level build = ultimate test of skill.

*lower

And I'm not too big on one hit K.O.s which your build practically screams.

Yes, you have good damage but no poise with no shield as well as not having DWGR for better rolls. Not trying to be an ***, but I just don't agree with the setup. Just me of course.

You couldn't survive an assault by me but I could take yours. I'd say thats the big difference - mostly why I liked my setup.

When I learned to parry it sort of "clicked" as well, it took a few matches of practice and I could suddenly parry some weapons, that number has only grown with time. No one uses it anymore, but the BKGA setup parry is still second nature, easy as breathing. 

SL55 PvP doesn't have much dueling to be found, so I tend to favor glass cannon builds since you're rather fragile at that level anyway. If you want something for range I would go with the Demon's Spear, won't be super powerful but has frightening range and chip damage. For poisebreak, I would use the Blacksmith Giant Hammer. Most of its damage is Lightning, and it breaks as much poise as a Greatsword with close to infinite stunlock. It's very powerful even at base stats, more so than a Chaos Mace +5. Quelaag's Furysword is another good one, despite base stats it's still powerful and has the best reach of all the curved swords as well as great poisebreak and DPS.

Doctor Snuggles wrote:*lower

And I'm not too big on one hit K.O.s which your build practically screams.

Yes, you have good damage but no poise with no shield as well as not having DWGR for better rolls. Not trying to be an ***, but I just don't agree with the setup. Just me of course.

You couldn't survive an assault by me but I could take yours. I'd say thats the big difference - mostly why I liked my setup.

I don't need DWGR. I can switch out the hornet ring for the wolf ring. And if my level 6 build beat your 55 build that would be horrible. Obviously, my level 6 isn't ever gonna be playing with level 55's. At least that's not the aim. It's a level 6 build for church invasions and such. Not former duels lol. We can play sometime and i'll show you a real build. 

You said "low level build" and i post a low level build just for you to compare a level 55 to it. Makes a lot of sense. 

Alright, my post came off douchey, my bad man. Wasn't trying to insinuate that you were in the wrong or anything by posting that build, it just made me see mine in a different light - which was the point.

I'm wondering if having 53 poise is worth it. I use Wolf ring right now and I'm at SL45 with most of my setup and while I do win matches, I often fall from the same things every time. I get stunlocked and die or I can't stand up to a 80+ poise beefcake. They may sound like the same thing, but the large poise person usually just takes my harass and tries to parry or BS me.

Meh. Take your time and read your opponent. Don't attack right away. Sit back and watch how the play for a minute. You'll notice everyone has a pattern. After you figure that pattern out, you know what they're gonna do next and you'll be a step ahead. Someone with "large poise" will not bother you anymore. And keep in mind, different weapons seem to bring out different patterns in people. But that only makes sense because different weapons have different movesets and you have to adjust according to such. Anyway, good luck.