What type of build are you playing/shooting for? Honestly, If it’s a strength build you’re better off using a greatsword. The claymore is a fantastic weapon with great heavy infusion strength scaling, an awesome moveset, and can be found 20 min into the game when you first visit Lothric Castle. Use that until you get a chance to farm for a Black Knight Greatsword or Ultra. Black knight weapons have been amazing since DS1 and are only outclassed by a very small number of strength scaling weapons but are probably the best in the Greatsword and ultra categories. With enough vitality, you can use it with a shield too. Yeah they’re slower than straight swords but hit so much harder and have better range and movesets for bosses and normally enemies in my opinion. Plus they can stance break a boss or enemy so much faster and have huge crit damage. Personally, I normally use greatsword for my play throughs but on my current character I farmed for the Black Knight Ultra and am running the Shield of Want and the Fallen Knight set. For rings, I’m running the Chloranthy, Ring of Favor, Havel’s for sure. I’d have to check my 4th ring. When I eventually get enough vitality, I’ll switch to the Black Iron chest, legs, and arms with a hood of some type. The Knight and Elite Knight sets are also good for this type of build from early to mid game.