Sorry I meant BKH+3 would be viable in the second route. I'm on my phone and it's messing up with me :/
i tested out the old whip. might be good if you think 2 hand r1 attack with 234 is good for a start. i had just enough souls after dragonrider to get my dex to 19 so we need one more level. a bit out of the way but the base damage is 233 i think.