Started a proper runthrough last night. Doing a Dex+Int build. Took Thief for the Master Key, and the Old Witch's Ring as my gift (
Quelaag's sister mai waifu). Nipped down to New Londo to get the Estoc, then hopped through the Valley of the Drakes and down into Blighttown by the back entrance to get the Crimson Set and the Tin Banishment Catalyst. That's my weapon & armour sorted for the first half of the game. I love Dark Souls sequence breaking.
Need to farm some souls to get Soul Arrow from Rickert of Vinheim, then I can start actually playing the game.
In my last playthrough I suicided into the Valley of the Drakes because I wanted the Grass Crest Shield and Astora's Straight Sword, but I'm not bothered about getting them early this time through -- they're not helpful for this style of play anyway.