Best New Game Builds

Ok so me and the buddy of mine will do races in this game to see who can get through all remembrance fights the fastest

I'm currently defending the title, but this next race has a twist: we can't use anything we've used before in the races

For me that's the greatsword, the greatstars, the starfist, and the bloodhounds fang

I'm this close to sending it on a flame strike -> Blasphemous Blade gameplan, but in practice this is explosive early game but absolutely BITES it to the DLC/endgame bosses' resistances(Bayle, Messmer, Midra, Rellana, Mohg, etc.)

Any ideas for an equally busted build that I can crush his hopes and dreams with? Thanks!