I’m just going to re-post something I wrote somewhere else here. It’s sort of a quick start gear guide (meaning where to find good gear early in the game) for Demon’s Souls:
• IMO, the best starting class is the Royal. Other than having an offensive spell available (Soul Arrow), you also get a Fragrant Ring (provides MP regen) by default. It makes killing even the tougher mobs possible.
• Get the Thief’s Ring ASAP. You’ll find it in the same ledge where you first find Prince Ostrava. Equip it. Mobs will have a harder time detecting you, making you less of a target.
• Buying a Heater Shield (2000 souls) from the Nexus blacksmith will let you block 100% of incoming physical damage. It’s better than most default shields. And while we’re at it, I suggest learning how to read the stats page (like knowing what the strength and dexterity requirements of a weapon are).
• After finishing 1-1 and opening the other zones, I suggest you go to 4-1 to get a Talisman of God (you’ll need it to cast Miracles AKA healing spells), a Crescent Falchion +1 (a good sword given your current level, see below) and a Regen Ring (HP regen).
• The skeleton mob in 4-1 is intimidating at first but he’s not too tough once you learn his attack. Keep your shield up, block his attack then counter with one of you own. Keep doing this (watch your stamina otherwise your block will fail when it reaches 0) until he dies. You also don’t want to get hit by his overhead swing. It’s slow, giving you time to roll out of the way. If it hits it’s guaranteed to stun you and leave you open for another attack. Just to give you an idea, the Crescent Falchion +1 you’ll get from this level should kill him in 3-4 swings (2 if you manage to land 2 R2 attacks).
• The Regen Ring requires a bit of creative rolling. Follow the video below and grab every item you’ll see as you do so. The ring is going to be one of them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-RgmsX3624
• If you’re feeling brave, you can try to kill the Vanguard (he’s the boss you fought in the tutorial level) in 4-1. You can snipe him to death using a bow and arrow (equipped with the Thief’s Ring and given enough distance, he’ll never attack you. Just prepare a lot of arrows.) You can also fight him normally if you want. Beyond him, run up the stairs, kill more skeletons and lure the red-eye skeleton away from his position (careful, getting hit by him can one-shot you). He’s guarding an Adjudicator’s Shield, which blocks 90% of damage and provides HP regen.
• You might also want to grab the Compound Long Bow in 4-1. It’s the best bow you can get at your level but it’s got a steep strength requirement at 22.
• Here’s a map of 4-1. Your starting position is on the bottom right, marked by the number 1. http://www.geocities.jp/kouryakubo/ds_en/chart/chart041.html