P.S some more general souls tips:
Sometimes running is better than rolling or blocking.
Always have a pulling option(crossbow/spell/knives).
Keep you HP high and don't be stingy on curatives.

:P

Nah don't beat yourself up :D If this game is anything like Dark Souls 2 just find a bigass weapon, two hand it and smash :D now if they removed the splat attack that great maces had just get a pokin stick and poke away :D