I'm still really quite shit at this game. Anyone got any good suggestions?
The game is more about psychological warfare than physical, you could absolutely destroy a fully armored and armed dude with a lute if you're smart enough
Learn which playstyle is your most preferred (fast/heavy weapons/ with light/heavy armor and which perks suit you the best)
leg armor is possibly the least crucial armor unless your opponent is smart and goes for it (this is rare) and as for skill I'd just go onto duel servers and possibly even train with someone with the training sword
also dying in frontline is common don't think it means you're a bad player
I'd suggest starting with the longsword if you don't have a preferable weapon and steer clear away from shit like halberds and bardiche and stuff like that until you figure out the basics and feel confident enough