To everyone still not using summons....

Just do it. The game is literally balanced around them.

I am myself an oldschool souls gamer and I was one of the people who refused to use summons, since I wanted to play the old way. The "ethical" way I told myself. But let me tell you, they are no longer optional.

I was on my 64th try at the dragon dancer (2nd boss for me) and I couldnt get him below 1/3 hp. I just couldnt. Then I threw my pride out the window and just started using mimic and he was dead second try. The boss had gone from 10/10 difficulty to maybe a 3/10. Like the fight was actually kinda chill to play.

So to everyone else who gets frustrated by boss design and feels the urge to vent here somewhere on the internet. Just go ahead and use summons. Please. You can always go for a 2nd playthrough where you go the "ethical" route :)