How to parry in elden ring

What is Parrying in Elden Ring?

Parrying is a defensive maneuver in Elden Ring that, when executed perfectly, can turn the tide of combat. It involves using a shield or a specific left-hand weapon to deflect an incoming enemy attack at the precise moment it's about to connect. A successful parry doesn't just negate damage; it staggers the opponent, leaving them open for a devastating critical hit, often referred to as a riposte. This mechanic adds a layer of high-risk, high-reward gameplay, encouraging players to engage with enemy attack patterns rather than solely relying on dodging or blocking.

How to Perform a Parry

The action of parrying is typically mapped to the left trigger (L2/LT) when a shield or parry-capable weapon is equipped in your left hand. When an enemy lunges at you, observe their attack animation. Just before the attack lands, press the parry button. The timing is crucial; pressing it too early will result in a normal block (or no effect if you don't have guard up), and pressing it too late will cause you to take damage. A successful parry is indicated by a distinct sound effect and animation where your character deflects the enemy's weapon with a flourish, followed by the enemy reeling back, stunned.

Understanding Parry Timings

The most challenging aspect of parrying is mastering the timing. Different enemies and even different attacks from the same enemy have unique wind-up animations and timings. Generally, you want to initiate the parry animation just as the enemy's weapon is about to hit your character. For fast attacks, this means a quicker press of the parry button. For slower, more telegraphed attacks, you have a slightly larger window, but still need to anticipate the strike.

Shields vs. Weapons: While most shields can parry, their effectiveness and parry window can vary. Small shields often have the easiest parry windows but offer less guard stability. Medium shields offer a balance, and greatshields are generally poor at parrying due to their slow startup. Some specific left-hand weapons, like certain daggers or curved swords, also possess innate parry skills that can be used effectively, sometimes with different timing properties than shields.

Enemy Attack Types: It's important to note that not all enemy attacks can be parried. Heavy, charged attacks, and grab attacks are typically unparriable. These attacks often have distinct visual cues, such as glowing effects or longer wind-up animations. Learning to identify these unparriable attacks and react with a dodge or block instead is vital for survival.

The Reward: Critical Hits (Ripoestes)

When you successfully parry an enemy, they become vulnerable to a critical hit. After the parry animation concludes and the enemy is staggered, you'll often see a prompt (usually a glowing outline around the enemy). Quickly move in front of the stunned enemy and press the light attack button (R1/RB). Your character will perform a powerful, cinematic attack that deals massive damage. This is the primary reward for mastering the parry mechanic and can significantly shorten boss fights or encounters with tough enemies.

Tips for Practicing Parrying

Parrying is a skill that requires practice and patience. It's not something most players master instantly. Here are some tips to help you:

• Start Small: Begin by practicing on weaker, more predictable enemies. Soldiers and basic enemies in Limgrave are excellent targets.
• Observe Animations: Don't just spam the parry button. Watch the enemy's attack animation closely. Identify the point of impact and try to time your parry press just before that.
• Experiment with Shields: Try different shields to see which ones feel most comfortable for you. The 'Buckler' shield, for instance, is renowned for its generous parry window.
• Learn from Failure: Every failed parry is a learning opportunity. Analyze why it didn't work – was it too early, too late, or was the attack unparriable?
• Use the Environment: Sometimes, you can lure enemies into areas where they have less room to maneuver, making their attacks more predictable.
• Be Patient: Don't get discouraged. Consistent practice will build muscle memory and improve your timing.

  When to Parry

  Parrying is most effective against enemies with clear, telegraphed attack patterns. It's less reliable against highly aggressive enemies with rapid, unpredictable combos or those that rely heavily on unparriable attacks. Bosses can often be parried, but their movesets are complex, and a single mistimed parry can be fatal. It's often a strategic choice: parry when you're confident in your ability to time it correctly, and default to dodging or blocking otherwise.