First time playing a souls game

As the title suggests, I was talked into playing Elden ring and it’s my first play through. I got to the Valiant Gargoyles today and they’re turning out to be a massive blocker.

I also HATE my build as it has gotten repetitive and almost feels like a one trick pony. I feel I’m missing out on the game developer’s creativity like spells and what not.

So I went ahead and spent a bunch of stones on godskin peeler because that’s the kind of genius I am, but I suck at it too.

Never knew how scaling worked so kept adding to my strength but realized both bloodhound fang and peeler like Dex so I leveled that up and used a talisman to boost the dex.

Can someone help me re shape my build? I want to be melee but also have some ranged attacks. All the weapons are blocked out by faith requirements I believe

I fought my clown mimic tear earlier today and it was a cakewalk. Embarrassing. Are there suggestions for this level