- the axe and charge attack is the best weapon for newcomers
- try summon help omline or even NPCs its possible for bossfights

Git gud and don't die so much.

Learn to do visceral attacks, they are a lifesaver in the beginning because they allow you to kill your enemies before they can kill you. Level up Skill because that's what powers the viscerals. After some practice you will find that parrying is easy.

Get yourself a good supply of pebbles. They allow you to bring in enemies one at a time.

Whatever weapon you pick - and the cane is not a good choice if it's your first playtrough - stick with it because you won't be able to fully upgrade 2 weapons, at least for a while.

Buy yourself the armor the Messengers sell as soon as you can afford it, it's way better than the rags you start the game with.

Open up the shortcut that gives you access to blood vials and bullet farming. You will know it when you open it.

Whatever hard the game may seem to you, the 'surface' game and its bosses is a walk in the park when compared to what's down there in the deeper dungeons. Most of those who claim tha the dungeons are 'boring' say so probably because they can't conquer them.

Gems and runes make the difference.

As a first timer, you're better off upgrading your skill and strength and generally ignoring the arcane and blood stats so pick weapons that scale with skill and strength.

Other than that... have fun. The game is not THAT hard. Seriously. Except for the very deep cursed/fetid/sinister... whatever dungeons.

Shave your head before playing.

Don't trick yourself into thinking that the game is harder than it is. You have probably played something harder and you have probably gotten out fine. Most of the difficulty in Souls games come from unconventional controls and gameplay mean to punish you for playing conventionally. Learn Bloodborne's rules, respect them, and it'll be just as smooth as any other moderately challenging action game.

I don't think BB is really that much of a "Souls" game, as people. Sure they share a lot of things in common but, when I'm playing a Souls game I feel like I'm playing a 50% action - 50% rpg game, BB feels more like a straight action game to me.
Maybe it's because I've never fullyunderstood the combat system, but even after beating older games on NG+ several times BB is still the only one I found really frustrating at times. I wouldn't recommend it as the first "entry" in the Souls series, but that's just my opinion.

Fix'd

Eh, that's not entirely true. We celebrated it together. :(

eat ass.