I don't understand what your problem is [b]Your playstyle is Yours[/b] The only class i think everybody should be picking is the nude one as your stats are higher which helps you out in the long run. You do understand that you don't [b]Have [/b]to upgrade right? I think people call it "S Ranking" when you do a playthrough not leveling up (generally level one). If you think it is a "Generic stat based slasher" You can go ahead and try doing that. That comment just baffles me because the entire premise of dark souls is timed attacks. I am on my third playthrough right now and the only times i seriously had to get stats up were for Fatty and the four kings. The stats i had to increase were my health.Endurance,And resistance. After that i noticed that i could equip stronger shields and that i need to do a better job of changing my equipment based on the boss. I honestly think you haven't been playing dark souls enough to make a comment like that or something is just wrong with you.

casual n00b detected Why are you asking about DS2 if you haven't played DS1? You barely know anything about DS1 if you stopped after the tutorial

You can beat the game without leveling up at all. You just need the right gear.