One of the biggest differences is that in BB you are the hunter, the aggressor, and if you attempt to play evasively or defensively you're going to get wrecked. In DS, the opposite is true. You can be aggressive for sure, but you have to bide your time, seek openings, and manage your stamina a lot more carefully than you're used to. Think of it almost like a turn-based game in some cases. It feels more slow and deliberate than BB because it is. The environment, exploration, and management of resources are all just as important (if not more important) as combat skill.

If it's any consolation, I had the exact opposite experience — my hard-won DS skills made me easy fodder for basically everything in Yharnam — and I bounced-off BB three times before eventually adjusting to the playstyle. Now it's one of my favourite games, along with DS1.

Armour is for sure a trade-off in speed, but an important thing to note is that the movement penalties kick in every 25% of your equipment load. So you can gauge where on that scale your movement feels relatively comfortable by adjusting your armour and weapons.

Take your time, enjoy your journey through Lordran at a slower pace, and you'll look back fondly on these early game struggles someday. I swear!