I'm curious to see what kind of answers you get. I've been thinking about starting DS2SOTFS soon myself.

I did a dex build and used a blacksteel katana and Ricard's Rapier.

Soul Virgin build (your first souls game) > get a shield, start as "bandit" ( the class whit the least stats for magic and adaptability), don't roll, hide behind the shield... start training roll when you get in the "softcap"(the point at which a stat starts giving you diminishing returns) in Vitality/endurance/Vigor.
Alson, ugrade your weapon, Weapon upgrade >>> stats upgrade in your damage.

Build for some one that have some exp. in souls games. > Bandit is a great opiton if you don't want spells ( use the bow, it is very usefull in some areas), but you need work in your adapatability ( ADP. gives you AGI., and AGI makes your roll better, gives you more invencibility frames, try getting AGI at 90 in the beginning and 100 at the end, that is it you are good.)/ all classes are good if you want a mix of magic and melee, AGI 90 or more is a must.

Weapons > look for a guide whit best weapons in youtube, claymore is a good sword, falchion is alson good, etc... or... be a real dark souls player, use what you have! try all weapons util you find your weapon!

Armor > Fashion souls! use the armor that you think looks cool ( for gods sake use something light, so you can roll!!!)

that's it good luck!

edit: you can alson go for the "easy mode of the game".... get "fire long sword" > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsPZ-yAbkvo

and "drangleic set" > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAThiRlh49U&nohtml5=False