Try a skip the fun character: Instant level 30.
Do a typical build like 24/15 and you'll like it a lot better. Read some basic melee guides and watch the best players fight and try to emulate them.
Don't hold your mouse sideways, you'll end up blocking stuff incorrectly. Most people hold it tilted to the left pretty severely. It makes you want to move in diagonals.
Don't tap for blocks. When you block, hold the right mouse button down until you block their hit. Otherwise held attacks will kill you.
Swing back as soon as you HEAR them get blocked. Do not use eyesight for blocking. Use your hearing.
TRY TO KEEP THE ENEMY IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR SCREEN. They can't circle spam / double swing on you then.
[Or turn into your attacks, you'll figure that out]
Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)
Strength: 24
Agility: 15
Hit points: 67
Skills to attributes: 8
Ironflesh: 4
Power Strike: 8
Shield: 1
Athletics: 5
Riding: 0
Horse Archery: 0
Power Draw: 0
Power Throw: 0
Weapon Master: 5
One Handed: 1
Two Handed: 146
Polearm: 1
Archery: 1
Crossbow: 1
Throwing: 1
Level 30 (4 420 577 xp)
Strength: 24
Agility: 15
Hit points: 59
Skills to attributes: 8
Ironflesh: 0
Power Strike: 8
Shield: 5
Athletics: 5
Riding: 0
Horse Archery: 0
Power Draw: 0
Power Throw: 0
Weapon Master: 5
One Handed: 146
Two Handed: 1
Polearm: 1
Archery: 1
Crossbow: 1
Throwing: 1
If you find 24/15 too slow, go for something with less str and more agi. Although you'll think everyone is faster than you when you are new. If you tihkn you don't do enough damage, try more str and less agi.
Armor wise? Try something medium-ish like tunic over mail with mail mittens. You'll survive a few hits while not being too slown down. Adjust for playstyle.
Best of luck to you.
