I helped two people beat the Ancient Dragon and now I can say I have done it!!! It has been one thing I wanted to list on my video game accomplishments! I was so frustrated with this optional boss. I have to give thanks to NEK0vitamin2 and REN-0115. I couldn't have done it without them! They were a huge help. A lot of battles I have against the Ancient Dragon have always killed someone off within seconds. The two people I mentioned have helped me up to the end and done a significant amount of damage to the Dragon.
When I always fought the Ancient Dragon never wore armor. I tried to stay very light weight. I wore the Gower Ring to protect my backside and usually dual welded, one weapon usually being a maxed out Black Dragon Sword. I always hacked at his tail. I noticed the Dragon tends to stay grounded more if you attack his tail but you obviously have to watch the Dragon slamming his tail to the ground. Once I defeated the Dragon I went and took on Vendrick which I hardly call an accomplishment since after beating the Dragon, he was very easy. There were a few occasions I had considered giving up but once I could get the Dragon at half of its health, I felt I could do it. There were a couple times I died where the Dragon just barely lived. That is when I cried and put my head in a pillow and yelled "noooooooooooo!!!!" My wife at one point looked at me while cooking with a disappointed look. An impression that basically said I was taking it too serious.
This was and is an incredible game. I am happy to finish it. It is funny beating the game and then realized I still had the opportunity to go back and kill the Dragon still. I was thinking NG+ was going to start automatically. Anyway, it was incredible fun. I considered going back and getting the trophies I missed but I already spent a ridiculous amount on this game. I just started Child of Light and have Transistor waiting. I preordered both of these games but was determined to make accomplishments in Dark Souls 2 before I played anything else. Anyway, I have a sense of relief and happiness knowing I did it. What relief and happiness have you achieved in a video game?
Im surprised at how many bosses in Dark Souls 2 are optional. The Iron Keep and Belfry come to mind. I enjoyed my playthrough with the game and might decide to revisit if DLC is ever released or before more Souls games announcments just to refresh. It was really good, and it made it difficult to find the same kind of depth or immersion into other games. But on to other games.
I like Transistor. Not sure when I'll get to Child of Light. Currently playing Killer 7 on gamecube and Silent Hill 4: The Room on PC just to get back into dark things. 
i haven't felt that sense of accomplishment for a while. Maybe I should pick up DS2.
The game will always be good. If it's not your cup of tea then maybe wait for a sale, like new games tend be on sale a few months after release. It's pretty long too. Kind of a time sink, but worth while.
Im gonna try to poison his (ancient dragon) ass
Ancient Dragon looks cool.
Ahh.. That boss had me stumped for a while, but once I figured it out, it became a lot easier to manage.
Simply run forward and to the left to start and stand in between the toes of his back leg and hack away until you have a quarter of your stamina bar left then wait. When he begins his stomping motion, roll diagonally towards his tail and other back leg, and stand between the toes of his other back leg and simply rinse/repeat. You essentially lock him in to his stomping pattern and you can kill him easily!