In any RPG that gives you the option, I always create a magic heavy character. I've just always seen the standard warrior type—wielding a sword and shield—to be boring and sorcerers to be unique and interesting in contrast. So obviously, the first thing I did in Dark Souls was create a sorcerer with which I've been putting points exclusively into Intellect and Attunement for his 53 levels. 
 
A few hours earlier, I decided to create a new character—a bandit—because I wanted to experience how it was to be a melee focused character. And man, it's amazing how much the the game changes when you go from casting spells from a distance as being your only offense to hitting enemies with an axe. Important game elements like loot, weapon scaling, weapon upgrading with shards, etc. were all practically unknown to me until now. I knew of their existence, of course, but they didn't matter at all to me. When I picked up shards, I couldn't care less about their types because I knew I wasn't going to be using them. The stamina bar was also unimportant to me, as I didn't need to take it much into account based on the way I battled; all I needed to do was roll around. But with this new character, the dynamic has changed. I'm sure most of you have known these things already, since this is probably how most play Dark Souls, but it's surprising that the melee class is a more tactical one than the magic class. 
 
I feel as though my decision to play as a magic class in Demon's Souls and Dark Souls has made me miss out on so much. There's barely anything to look forward to as a sorcerer/mage, equipment wise, other than rings. Combat for those classes is also less complex, because most of the sorceries tend to do the same thing with little variation. Playing as a melee class is actually more fun and it's kind of sad that my favorite kind of class isn't as developed as those in the 'Souls' games.

In any RPG that gives you the option, I always create a magic heavy character. I've just always seen the standard warrior type—wielding a sword and shield—to be boring and sorcerers to be unique and interesting in contrast. So obviously, the first thing I did in Dark Souls was create a sorcerer with which I've been putting points exclusively into Intellect and Attunement for his 53 levels. 
 
A few hours earlier, I decided to create a new character—a bandit—because I wanted to experience how it was to be a melee focused character. And man, it's amazing how much the the game changes when you go from casting spells from a distance as being your only offense to hitting enemies with an axe. Important game elements like loot, weapon scaling, weapon upgrading with shards, etc. were all practically unknown to me until now. I knew of their existence, of course, but they didn't matter at all to me. When I picked up shards, I couldn't care less about their types because I knew I wasn't going to be using them. The stamina bar was also unimportant to me, as I didn't need to take it much into account based on the way I battled; all I needed to do was roll around. But with this new character, the dynamic has changed. I'm sure most of you have known these things already, since this is probably how most play Dark Souls, but it's surprising that the melee class is a more tactical one than the magic class. 
 
I feel as though my decision to play as a magic class in Demon's Souls and Dark Souls has made me miss out on so much. There's barely anything to look forward to as a sorcerer/mage, equipment wise, other than rings. Combat for those classes is also less complex, because most of the sorceries tend to do the same thing with little variation. Playing as a melee class is actually more fun and it's kind of sad that my favorite kind of class isn't as developed as those in the 'Souls' games.

Why not play both! That's what I do and it's a blast! Physical is easily the best way to have fun in the games though. More intense and fast paced. I can't even imagine going through these games as just a main magic user.

Why not play both! That's what I do and it's a blast! Physical is easily the best way to have fun in the games though. More intense and fast paced. I can't even imagine going through these games as just a main magic user.

I always play warrior characters cause I like sick lookin' armour. Though in Dark Soul's you could tots play a BattleMage super easy with elemental weapons. My characters 30 Str/Dex were all but useless in the end. I can't remember what the Eagle Shield required for strength but that is probably the most strength I needed.

I know how you feel, man. Although, the game is infinitely easier with magic. I made the mistake of getting about 40 levels into a melee only character (with an obvious bow) in Demon's Souls, and played with a friend as a Sorcerer. The game was so much easier, it almost wasn't even fun. But then again, I also came close to setting a box of kittens on fire whenever I'd fight the bosses that had huge range and damage, as a melee-class. Truly fucking frustrating. But I missed that misery as a Sorcerer, ironically. Lol, How strange, right?

I think this is why I ultimately like walking around in full armor with a greatsword/shield and a pyro flame. I didn't have to worry about throwing points into anything other than VIT, STR, and END and can still use fire magic with my upgraded/maxed out pyro flame which does more damage than my sword right now.