Weapons are your primary offense if you choose to play a melee focused character. They are often a valuable tool even as a spellcasting build. Weapons vary tremendously in size, shape, attack patterns, and stat requirements. Most weapons use Strength and/or Dexterity for requirements, but there are also Intelligence and Faith weapons that can be discovered.
On your first playthrough, experiment with as many different types of weapons as your attributes allow. Don’t neglect a new weapon because it is weaker than your existing upgraded weapons. If you greatly enjoy the feel and move set of a new weapon, upgrade it and use it.
Most weapons also have a letter grade on their stat requirements and scaling—ranging from F (the worst) to S (the best). Higher grades gain an increased attack power bonus from the attribute. Some weapons have poor stat scaling, but benefit from higher raw attack power. Examine a each weapon’s stats carefully when comparing them.