To all experienced players, what are some good beginner tips?

[Phillip]

Especially for someone who's playing his first Souls game.

[Majrick]

Play your own game, do you own thing, play blind and the ultimate requirement in the Souls series is ….perseverance. Enjoy.

[Kitsunegari]

Originally posted by Phillip:

Especially for someone who's playing his first Souls game.

The single most important thing is animation commitment. When you activate an ability, attack, etc, you are locked into that animation for the duration unless otherwise attacked and staggered. If you're staggered, you can't do anything. Poise helps with preventing stagger.
Some abilities, weapons, attacks, etc are effectively immune to stagger (but you can still die if your HP is reduced to 0).

Pretty much every boss in the game is weak to being parried, status effects that deal percentage based damage (blood loss, frostbite, scarlet rot, etc), or having its stance broken.

You can avoid a decent amount of attacks by jumping and this also opens up a punish window via jump attacks.

[scown]

play level 1 and dont level up. once u do this u will learn to dodge everything over time

[Sc0rpiTr0n]

Level up Vigor regardless of class/build.

20+ for starting area, 40 mid game, 50-60 endgame/DLC

Edit: don't forget to upgrade weapons

[Señor Brown]

If you are struggling with dodging enemy attacks, use a shield. It'll keep you alive longer so you can learn dodge timings more quickly.

[Sprinkles]

I envy you.

My tip: Just play offline.

[DespiseTheSun42]

Originally posted by scown:

play level 1 and dont level up. once u do this u will learn to dodge everything over time

every Souls game (and Soulslikes), my second playthrough is always a lvl1 run for exactly that reason. It is the best way to fully understand the nuances of each boss. Makes for a really interesting way to approach the game.

[Fineous🔥]

Discover everything by yourself. Avoid this thread, Youtube videos and other guides for your first rodeo.

[Rena Ichigawa]

Vigor is the singe most important tip i can offer. Especially for this game. As cool as weapons can be to use, they wont help you if you crumple over dead in one hit.
Second, id recommend deciding on what kinda playstyle you would be interested in early, and focus the stat that would benefit from said style most. Spreading your stats thin trying to do everything, especially early and mid game, will only make things far harder.

[boiling pie]

An eager and joyful acceptance of challenges
The ability to self-analyze, correct and improve
Viewing setbacks as a welcome opportunity to demonstrate resilience and mastery

[Treknor]

take your time. be patient with boss fights. use every mechanic the game offers, or don't.
it is all up to you, but not to rush anything is really important.

[Sc0rpiTr0n]

One more important thing:

Backup your save.
Players in multiplayer can corrupt your save.

If you summon players for help you are vulnerable to this.

[Artek [General]]

1) Level up Vigor first at your earliest convenience.
Make it at least 30 ASAP, then 40, then 52.
Vigor provides its' highest gains until 40, then it drops off but is still recommended to be at least 52 for the late game.
It becomes effectively worthless after 60.

2) Dying is normal - some encounters are just not meant to be won first try.
These games are more about attack pattern memorization than reaction times. Especially this game...

3) Make manual back ups of your save file if you intend playing online - hackers have been awfully active last couple of months breaking people save's for fun.

[AmogusDiarrhea™(つ´ω`)つ]

30 Vigor until Altus.
Katanas OP

[Johnny]

If you're struggling against boss fights, I suggest entering the fight not trying to win, but to examine and memorize their attack patterns. Preferably with a shield to prolong your life. Watch the way they prepare for attacks, as some can have a delay before they swing. Eventually, you'll learn what attacks make them the most open. As good ol' Doc Louis once said, "Dodge his punch, then counter punch!" (Yeah, I'm old)