The biggest thing to know is get the ring of life protection ASAP, it basically takes the sting of death away for 3,000 souls, taking out all of the pain in this game...always make sure your carry weight allows you to fully roll to evade properly, bow and arrow is a great way to kill from a distance and draw a target to your kill zone along with baiting and kiteing , farm souls by writing your name on the floor as soon as you get the ability to help others especially at bosses entrances, the Avelyn crossbow hidden in the undead crypt is a beast especially when infused with mundane stone , if you get tired of being invaded in certain parts just start a party , you will be in "offline mode" while still getting date stamped achievements , this game is Probly one of the more rewarding games I've completed besides halo wars , the saboteur and the command and conquer games but no where near as hard as advertised I give it a 9.6