OK, finally been playing Dark Souls. I'm in Undead Burg and learning the ropes. Any tips? I'm going for a Paladin build, but I know nothing of the weapons. I started as a cleric. I'm trying not to look online, but I hate to dump points in an attribute that I don't need.
It was difficult to get started (anxiety), but I'm really enjoying it.
As far as stats go, here is my advice.
First off, if you are new to the game, don't obsess over making the perfect character. Just enjoy the game. You can make competitive pvp builds later.
Here are the stats suggestions:
vitality- always useful up to 40 or so
endurance- always useful up to 40 or so
strength and dexterity- unless you are going for a strength or dex build, then only up these as you need them to meet weapon requirements (and don't try to equip everything under the sun!)
intelligence- only if you want to cast mage spells (not pyro)
attunement- useful for all casting builds, try to plan ahead a bit to see if you really need it
faith- obvious need if you are a cleric/faith build, good for divine weapon scaling and miracles
resistance- raise this only if you like boy bands and dumping gasoline into creeks
As far as weapons go, pick whatever you like the most. If you like the moveset, and you are good with it, then use it. You will find more weapons as you go anyway.
I will also say that for a faith build, not all talismans are created equal.