The good thing about ER is that there are so many weapons to choose from. If longsword isn’t working, try another weapon. Nothing wrong with mixing it up. That, and if you’re using a shield, try to focus on using your guard counter effectively. I’ve never liked using shields in FromSoft games, but Elden Ring changed that for me. Being able to retaliate when an enemy hits your shield makes all the difference. It feels a lot more tactical rather than just hiding behind a shield and going suuuuuper slow to avoid damage. It makes the shield a tool of aggression rather than just a defensive option.
Try experimenting with ashes of war too. The ability to switch the ashes of war on your weapons is unlocked fairly early, and they cost nothing to switch between different weapons. For me, a huge portion of my damage comes from my ashes of war, not directly from my weapon.
The good thing about ER is that there are so many weapons to choose from. If longsword isn’t working, try another weapon. Nothing wrong with mixing it up. That, and if you’re using a shield, try to focus on using your guard counter effectively. I’ve never liked using shields in FromSoft games, but Elden Ring changed that for me. Being able to retaliate when an enemy hits your shield makes all the difference. It feels a lot more tactical rather than just hiding behind a shield and going suuuuuper slow to avoid damage. It makes the shield a tool of aggression rather than just a defensive option.
Try experimenting with ashes of war too. The ability to switch the ashes of war on your weapons is unlocked fairly early, and they cost nothing to switch between different weapons. For me, a huge portion of my damage comes from my ashes of war, not directly from my weapon.