DS1 veteran returning: I could use some help with my build.

So my first run of DS3 clocked in at around 41 hours: I beat all bosses except the Nameless King because... well, it's him, and all except for Pontiff and Champion without a summon. As someone who never really got into DS2, I adore this game.

I'm in NG+1 right now (which I probably entered a little too fast: I forgot to do a couple things before I left), and I'm having some trouble deciding if I should switch up my build. So far I've been using mostly the Lothric Knight set (head, gloves & boots) and the Knight Armor for chest. For weapons a Dragon Crest Shield +5 and a Heavy Dark Sword +10; my build is mostly strength (46 right now) and some dexterity (21 right now) with a lot of points in vigor, endurance and vitality (around 30 each). For rings: Havel, Cloranthy, Carthus Bloodring, and the Knight's Ring.

The Knight's set has been working well, but I feel like the defense cost of the Bloodring is handicapping me: a few of the late bosses in my first run were able to knock off 1/3 or 1/2 my HP with one attack (Champion in particular was a nightmare). I'd like to be able to keep the good roll speed I have now, but be able to take more than one or two hits before need an estus.

Right now I'm thinking I should either ditch the Bloodring and switch to a slightly-lighter armor set, or keep it and jump up to a heavier one. I've got a bunch that I really like the look of (Drang, Faraam, Wolf Knight, Lorian, Gundyr, Outrider, Dancer and Lord of Cinder), but I could use a hand deciding which is optimal for my build.

Thanks!