Dark Souls 2 start with the Smooth and Silky because you have a chance at a good rare equipment at the very beginning with that. Nothing else is useful, really. Bad beginners guide is bad. Armor makes or breaks your character. You can tank, just look at Havel or any high stability, 100% physical reduction shield. PvE is totally tankable, I know because I've done it. Barely rolled the entire first play through. Battlemages are a thing. Builds are done around single weapons. Uchiganata is besty gatana.