Elemental weapons are only good low-level, as they lack scaling.
If you're a quality build, strength/dex, 'ascending' your claymore to fire/lightning is actually a debuff. Not only do you lose the scaling entirely, (you can see the extra damage added from scaling to the right of the base damage in the weapon page, iirc), but the damage is split between two types. This means both types of resistance apply, and instead of doing 206dmg(plus scaling damage, probably 100+ for you)-30dmg, you deal 180dmg-30dmg + 180dmg-30dmg.
Moveset is often more important than a damage edge, and the claymore is one of the most popular weapons for just that reason, (
plus it's got that damage edge for quality builds..).
I also agree with Ozy on armor, except I'd aim for midrolling minimum. You start getting access to a lot more armor sets by the time anor londo's come around, so there's that. Don't forget to upgrade your armor, and people like to swap in heavy armor gauntlets/leggings/helmets for the /massive/ increase to poise & resistance they provide for a relatively small change in weight.
Poise makes a /huge/ difference in playstyle.
Relevant:
http://darksouls.wikidot.com/poisehttp://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/606312-dark-souls/61847190For the record though, style>practicality. Hollow waist-cloths are hell on the eyes.
also-also: Check out the zweihander sometime. Being an Ultra Greatsword, it has the poise damage to pancake some rather large enemies.