Dark souls 1's PvP has the steepest learning curve in the series and its worth putting in the effort to git gud at it. I have here a solid build for learning the game and its meta. not the most flashy build but a solid one to use. I left tips on how to use some of the tools the build uses. plus i left some random knowledge down there for you :D
only place to find Meta SL PvP is Oolacile Township.

-starting class warrior
stats
SL 127
- vitality 50
- attunement 12
- endurance 49
- strength 24
- dexterity 45
- resistance 11
- intelligence 9
- faith 9
equipment
- head mask of the mother
- chest knight armor
- hands knight gauntlets
- legs hollow soldier waistcloth
- left hand 1 heater shield
- right hand 1 claymore
- left hand 2 ascended pyromancy flame
- right hand 2 dark silver tracer
- rings fap ring and hornet ring. aim to be able to hard swap between hornet wolf dark wood grain ring.
- 2 pyromancies. black flame and fire surge.

Rapier is an option for the RH2 slot. The rapier does not have a kick but has shield poke which is an amazing tool. But kicking is also an amazing tool so both good up to personal preference on that one. If you don't know which to use. Try both out; they are very strong options.

tips.
- 1hr2 from the claymore is a good option when spaced properly and on wakeup. 2hr2 is really good if you clank into a wall and must abuse standstill though.

-claymore 2h rolling r1 is very strong option in alot of situations.

-backstab damage should be great 2 backstabs should = a win.

-kick -> blackflame is a true combo with the 45 dex.

-since the build runs low poise you need to be able to toggle escape which is why the dark silver tracer is there its for the toggle escape -> backstab.

-you can also have heater out and toggle -> black flame.

-black flame does 60 poise damage so if you see a have mom great club they will be able to poise through it.

-fire surge is invisible if you tap cast it and get 1 surge projectile out at a time good finisher.

-holding back and holding fire surge makes it 100% impossible to get backstabbed.

How to git gud fast.
- learn the backstab game and timings.
- learn the kick game.

Tech you should know.
- toggle escape. Tapping right or left to switch weapons makes you ignore hit stun. Generous timing and one of the most important skills. Does not work against fast weapons like falchion and katanas. You need poise to not get infinite.

- backstab escapes. Occurs when the opponent and you both backstab each other at very specific timing the backstab animation plays while you are actionable. To abuse this you can block the damage or roll the damage and set up an easy wakeup on the opponent. Parry buffer is the most optimal but kick confirming is the gentlemen's choice. Very inconsistent timing due to latency.

- backstab cancels. Occurs when the opponent and you both backstab each other at generally the same time. Very consistent and happens a bit in advanced PvP. Both players go through backstab animation and take zero damage and both wakeup at the same time if they both have the hornet ring / no hornet ring on. Resets the fight to neutral basically.

- hit cancel backstabs. Occurs when you r1 an opponent at the same time as the opponent backstabs. Canceling the backstab animation for the opponent and canceling the damage for you. However you still get played through the animation so you are left at a slight disadvantage here.

- “standstill” i don't know the actual name of this one but basically during certain animations if you don't press a single input on the controller you are immune to backstabs for like 2-3ish seconds. After getting put into hitstun you can standstill. After a kick you can standstill. After clanking a wall you can standstill.

- reverse roll / barrel roll. If you input a backwards roll and unlock from a target at the same time you will perform a backwards roll forward, a reverse roll. Don't do it in neutral! Barrel roll is a slightly safer version performed by holding stick left -> flicking stick to the right + unlock + roll. Performs a roll right forward. Works with stick right to left aswell.

- kick confirms. basically if you kick someones back it will backstab if possible. but if its not possible it will come out as a kick which is much safer than a R1.

Random stuff
- plunging attack endlag cannot be backstabbed.
- greatclub 2h rolling r1 cannot be toggled.
- if your shield gets “broke” and you get that endlag you cannot get backstabbed if abusing standstill.


lmk if i missed anything or if i posted misinformation just trying to help people learn this amazing happy accident of a game. the meta PvP scene is usually respectful to new players. and a little of warning learning this games PvP can be pretty annoying it sucks getting destroyed on repeat but when you git gud its insanely fun. i hope too see some of you in the township at meta SL good luck out there :D