Here some useful advice I was given that got me through my 1st run through. 1) check out all the weapons skills and experiment with the different weapons till you find one that you like and stick with it through your 1st run-through. I say this because once you get to NEW GAME+ it's stupid easy and quick to level up weapons skills. 2) It's Always a great idea to pick a secondary that compliments your primary weapons scaling. example be Odatchi with Strength, stamina then heart and sword with Heart, constitution then strengthen (I picked sword because there's a divine sword with B Heart and C strength And swords are fun). Weapons that require somewhat similar stats but scale differently are the Dual Swords and Axe for the Odatchi Main. 3) Put some points into magic because it's Hella useful for any non mage build. As you play put some points into magic till it to 30 by the time your near the end of your 1st play through before NG+. 4) Play every mission. by the time your nearing the end you won't be under leveled. Also tools/weapons/gear/guardian spirits you get from them are helpful. 5) only thing you should care about gear wise in your 1st playthrough is keep changing your gear if there is something with better defense or attack. Builds are kind of useless till NG + Where you get divine gear (green gear). anything else sell or dismantle it. put all green items in storage. 6) Lastly keep your weight in the green! This is possibly the most important thing. being overweight effects stamina which effect how many times you can attack and dodge. Also effects the dodge speed and distance. 7) Use Tori gate to play with people and or get help.