I'd say Capra is one of the harder bosses because of the equipment you're likely to have and the area in which you have to face him. Blighttown was probably my least favorite part of my first play through. You've got some really awesome areas coming up, and then after those the back half of the game which the community is kind of polarized about.. after countless playthroughs I think it's all good!
I'm not a fan of either the lightning spear or especially Drake Sword. The DS is going to suck soon, you'll see. And the lightning spear's moveset is just boring with no versatility. It's a great weapon in terms of damage for when you get it in the game, but I'd at least upgrade a weapon you like in tandem with using it. Like the drake sword, the lightning spear doesn't benefit at all from any increase in stats. But even if you wanted to go the elemental route with your weapons, there are many more interesting choices than the lightning spear. But if you happen to like it, fully upgraded it can easily last you through the end game.
Funny/cool to see new players in this thread going by the catacombs in the beginning of the game or otherwise getting wrecked by a game that explains nothing. If you look back through this thread and other OTs for this game you'll see you're far from being alone in making these mistakes.. it's part of the fun. Try out other areas if you get stuck for too long, remember that upgrading equipment/weapons is at least equally important to upgrading stats, and that grinding for levels might not be the answer.
The game doesn't need a map.
