Before H&H I used to skip iron... would go from bronze to wolf to padded.

After H&H I don't really feel comfortable starting in the mountains with bronze and make Iron.

Troll is good for just starting into the BF crypts, but feel safer in full bronze for the swamps.. especially with the new swamp miniboss.

The new root armor from that boss has a low movement penalty but is about like bronze?

Still don't think I would want to start into the mountains with it over Iron.

I am sure some people can handle the plains in underwear with no food.... so basically it's up to you. I don't like to die and lose skill progress, so I tend to play more cautiously.

Basically my rule of thumb is that if I get stunned while blocking a hit.. that is bad. That means multiple enemies can stun lock you and tear you up. With the changes to blocking related to food you really have to be careful.