those bastid turtling spearmen, since you can't kick
Try hitting with the offhand weapon to get them to attack.
Are you saying that the rapier is better for offhand than the parrying dagger, or just good?
I'm kind of trying an anti-fire run. Lighting no bonfires. I've been using the Firelink Shrine bonfire though, because I can't go without Estus and level-up. Nearing the second bell. I might start again with the Master Key, rejecting even Firelink Shrine, but I don't think I can bring myself to kill Solaire and others. Maybe. Probably can, actually.
I've been starting play with the Pendant more. It probably does nothing, but who knows?
As for a serious run, I'm going full fire. Pyromancer, ascended flame, 4 attunement slots, all purchased pyromancies + great chaos fireball; +5 Flame halberd. +5 silver knight shield in off-hand; +4 lightning gargoyle's halberd, using only when the normal halberd can't hit enemies well for whatever weird reason (like the ghosts in New Londo) (even though it's actually better than the fire halberd). Only armor is the starting pyromancer leg and hand gear. Lack of armor is a small pain, but not that bad; had a bit of difficulty with the Anor Londo duo, and I'm hung up on the Four Kings because I'm still learning to not suck at dodging their attacks. It's been fun. Lighting every bonfire, kindling whatever ones I feel like. Might go kindle all of them before the game end. Oh, also SL27, trying to not advance for the rest of the game. It's a good level. But I can't get any help for the 4 Kings D: .