Ariandel is absolutely brutal at times. It is supposed to be mid to high level content with a weapon at +6/+7. I did the optional parts with the Milwood knights last night with a +10 weapon and at SL85 and still needed every single estus charge to clear the tower plus vicinity in one go. Fucking wolves... Even that one hill in the beginning, with 4 Followers guarding the item, is a death trap no matter when you do it.
I tend to start Ariandel after the Catacombs, but the first part is just me sprinting past the Followers, wolves and Milwood Knights. The Corvian Settlements gets cleared out in earnest but then it is back to running past Followers/Milwood knights, unlocking the shortcuts in the process and making it back to the chapel. One Milwood knight would have been challenging but tolerable, but half a dozen of them including one miniboss, not to mention the legion of Followers and a few lost wolves? Fuck no.
I tend to start Ariandel after the Catacombs, but the first part is just me sprinting past the Followers, wolves and Milwood Knights. The Corvian Settlements gets cleared out in earnest but then it is back to running past Followers/Milwood knights, unlocking the shortcuts in the process and making it back to the chapel. One Milwood knight would have been challenging but tolerable, but half a dozen of them including one miniboss, not to mention the legion of Followers and a few lost wolves? Fuck no.