They're faster, and better, because you're not fighting a scripted program anymore, you're fighting thinking, reacting human beings.
Fighting bots, and doing tutorials is great to get an idea of what the game is, and how the weapons work, but everything you've learnt from playing solo will have to be erased from your habits, and you'll have to reteach yourself.
Here are my tips:
- Don't bother with a two hander for now. If you cannot defeat opponents with a shield and sword combo, you won't succeed with a two hander. You might land a kill or two using them, but as soon as someone outranges your weapon, or closes in on you, you won't block anything if you aren't good at blocking.
- If you're averaging 9-52, you're rushing into battles. Don't try to imitate players that have been playing hours a day for years. You need to develop your own playstyle, and find what works for you. Pick your battles very selectively. Don't rush into other opponents with your sword up in the air. Don't rush at opponents when you're outnumbered.
- With a sword and shield, try footwork, with a bit of intelligence. When you're choosing your fights (hey, that naked guy with the ax killing everyone in front of you? He's likely going to do the same with you. Turn your heels, and run, or wait till he becomes preoccupied with another opponents, and try to sneak a swing at his head in). If he comes at you with an overhead swing, try to dodge it. Don't run into it, with your shield up. It'll only protect you so long. Try to utilize the terrain around you, and move around with it to your advantage.
- Practice feigning, and learn how to counter feigns. Learn how to spot people with uncanny, scripted, blocking abilities and learn to counter those too. Everyone has a weakness. It only takes one battle against an opponent to determine his method of attack and defense.
- Stick with teammates. Dying alone alot? You might be better off fighting, and dying in groups. You'll also notice how the gank bonus works. Two of you against one of him stand a much better chance, then you alone. This works especially well when you stack up with a player who has decent sword skills, and you are weilding a spear/shield combo. You'll be able to jab the opponent when he's busy with your partner, and raise your shield up while backpeddling when he turns his attention to you, opening himself up for an attack from your partner.
There are so many other points I could relay, but I think it primarily comes down to putting more experience underneath your belt, and fighting not to win, but to survive. If you imagine your survival as your primary objective, you'll enjoy the game infinitely more, than fighting to outrank everyone else. Once you got the survival thing down pat, you'll live long enough to kill someone, eventually.
Best wishes.
