I died a few times, eventually beat the blue eyed knight and got the cling ring. I am not doing too well, really winning by running away, using a lot of strategy and using the soul arrow.
Real skill is to win in melee by timing the button combos and dodge and evade to keep up stamina.
The melee system in this game is incredible and amazingly deep.
I am not good enough for that right now but what a challenge!
This game is super awesome.
It is better to die on one's feet
then live on one's knees