The DLC has been great! Super tough for my lvl 138, but I’m pretty sure it’s tough no matter your level thanks to the DLC “leveling system”. It’s the first time I’m actually using a Spirit Ash consistently. Only using it on bosses though. I don’t think I’m gonna use it on every boss, but it makes a 20/10 difficulty wise boss fight go down to a 9 or even 8/10. The Spirit Ashes, or just having ANY extra character helping is such an enormous help. Which is why I’ll never understand people doing entire first playthroughs with not 1 but 2 summons of actual players. Which a lot of the times it’s their overleveled friends they summon via a PW. And since the downscaling doesn’t work properly, they pretty much get carried through the game.
But anyway, so far the DLC is vast. Idk if there’s a “good” way to go about it. As in like in the main game, you’re suppose to do Limgrave+Weeping, then Stormveil, then Liurnia, then Caelid, Altus, etc. Since I’m playing it almost completely blind (like 99% blind, I did see SOME bosses and weapons beforehand on that early release stream they did). So far, one of the weapons you get early on had been my favorite. Don’t have the game pulled up so can’t remember what it’s called, but it’s a Greatsword thats AoW sends out a white projectile then you can follow it up with this dashing/lunging heavy swipe attack. It’s a super fun and good weapon especially since I’m a strength build. But also been using those reverse grip swords a bit, and the fist weapons “Pata”. Those are broken in some boss fights and I’m sure they’re good in PvP as well.
Anyway, been taking my sweet time. Even though I feel like crap I’m still not rushing through anything. Already found quite a few “secret” areas I would’ve never found had I been rushing through everything.
Also pro tip, don’t forget to leave messages on the ground in the DLC. Mine are getting rated all the time, which are actually helping. Like they’re getting rated enough to the point to where I won’t heal in a boss fight because I’d rather stall for a message rating heal instead, lol. Anyway, still gonna stay away from spoilers and social media for awhile. Just wanted to share my first thoughts so far. I’ve died waaaay more than I thought I was going to, which makes me so happy that the DLC is actually really challenging!