Some context - Bad gamer who couldn't get past the first boss in Dark Souls 3. Bought Elden Ring at launch, explored everything, but hit a wall at the Fire Giant. Could not progress as a glass canon int build. Gave up at that point and rolled a new bleed build character but it was hard to progress early, gave up again. 

Years later I came back doing a strength build, great sword to giant crusher and experimenting with the black blade. Just as before the game starting with Fire Giant and beyond felt like an entirely different experience! I probably died more to regular mobs in Farum Azula than the whole of Limgrave and Caelid combined. 

But reading reddit posts was a real game changer. Learning to still panic but panic roll \*into\* bosses was clutch. And yes many fights felt much easier sticking to bosses like glue vs my first try as a ranged caster. 

Ranking difficulty of final bosses ironically Malenia was the easiest. I got lucky with RNG on an attempt using black blade where she spent most of phase 1 stun locked. Elden Beast was a brick wall that I died too many times just trying to get to the boss, finally broke past the wall after I stopped using mimic in favor of tiche. 

Yes I used guides for help especially with following quests. 

Yes I still had an absolute blast other than the moments of sheer panic in boss fights. 

Yes, there is no way I'd have come this far without spirit summons.

No, I guess I'm technically not Elden Lord since I choose the Ranni ending. 

Finally earned my title as Elden Lord! Took a few years of giving up and coming back. Proof even a bad gamer can bulldoze through with grinding and the right setup.