I really can't understate how much having at least a bit in INT or FTH makes this game so much better.
Not only do you get the spells/buffs, you also have more of a reason to explore looking for them as well.

1st playthrough: pure INT moonlightsword
2nd: ARC/FTH twinblades
3rd: Rellana cosplay INT/FTH who can use every spell in the game well

Everyone I know IRL who bitched about "empty open world" were all Quality build retards who thought it was gonna be DS4