You should understand the timing of the other weapon and the timing of a parry. Understanding Timing - Just like you should understand the reach on your weapon. If you just run in and do the same thing refusing to learn what is going on then yes you will die over and over again. Patience and observation- If you take the time to watch and literally study the movements no matter who you are fighting a player, a boss, that normal npc you don't know what the ♥♥♥♥ it is. Most importantly understanding the strength, distance of available attack, and weakness of your weapon. understand what stats do what and when you are just wasting your points. Understanding of equipment and stats- understanding what works with what and why reading what the things you can apply and how they affect your armour, weapons, etc etc. If you have these skills dark souls is easy. It should be based on your own talent and skill and how you USE those things not that the things itself make you good.
no armour, weapon, mechanic, or spell should EVER make you good at the game.
GIT GUD is just short hand for get good at the ways you need to play the game to win.