Start with the sword, it's your best foundation for general fights and clearing groups with that whirlwind attack. Slashers unlock after beating jakira (it used to be bane) and they're perfect against those pesky archers, letting you stick close and apply debuffs.

When dealing with wildlife or bigger undead, grab an axe for high burst damage and mobility. The frenzy effect helps chase down targets but watch your timing. Spears give you that nice 25% bonus against creatures, and the harpoon skill keeps you at a safe distance which is really useful when learning enemy patterns.

For armored enemies and golems, maces are your go-to since they break through defenses and stagger nicely. Shadowbolt helps deal with ranged enemies, while veil of blood gets you out of tight spots. Chaos volley works great against groups, especially if they're using shields.

Tip: merciless copper weapons make a huge difference early on, and combining weapon attacks with spells like using chaos volley right after an axe combo really helps take down tougher enemies. Getting those slashers from quincey should be one of your first goals, since they open up iron gear access too.