first of all, no gamepad - no fun at all. you would not be able to be mobile and do parries.

i assume you just hide behind a shield like a turtle scrub you are, tho don't worry on first run we all thought that str and heavy armor and shields should be good option.

str is no fun compated to fast dex weapons + fastroll. but again, don't be a scrub and buy any gamepad. ANY. thats not even a question.

ontiopic:

i'm completing game on level 3 regulary. no magic, no shields and no blocking involved, so STATS DON'T MATTER.

what matter is tactic:
just wait untill he will perform a slam down and start to run like a train. after that hit him in the ass.

overall it's rather easy to fight ALL bosses and regular enemies if you are able to fast roll and hit fast.

just start doing it bit by bit. don't think like if you have souls you need to level up. so at some point you will get rid of this annoying habbit like blocking.

gl