How to Parry In Elden Ring? In the treacherous world of Elden Ring, where every encounter tests your skill, mastering parrying can turn the tide of battle. This advanced defensive technique allows players to deflect enemy attacks with pinpoint timing, stunning foes, and creating openings for devastating counterstrikes.
Whether facing relentless bosses or agile foes, a well-timed parry can create the perfect opening for victory. Learning this art not only boosts survival chances but also elevates overall combat strategy, making every battle a test of both patience and skill. Master the parry, and control the flow of every fight in Elden Ring.
Table of Contents
What Parrying Means in Elden Ring?
Parrying is a high-risk, high-reward mechanic in Elden Ring that lets you neutralize an enemy’s attack by deflecting it at the precise moment of impact. It staggers the foe when successful, leaving them open to a critical hit.
Unlike blocking, which absorbs damage at the cost of stamina, parrying nullifies the attack entirely, using minimal stamina and shifting momentum in your favor. It’s performed with shields or weapons equipped with parry skills, requiring a keen eye for timing.
- Defining the Parry
A parry is a timed block that turns an enemy’s aggression against them, executed by pressing the block button (L1/LB) just as their attack lands, stunning them instantly.
- Parrying vs. Blocking
Blocking reduces damage but drains stamina; parrying stops the attack outright, preserving stamina and enabling a punishing riposte, making it a superior tactical choice.
- Why Parrying Matters?
Mastering parries can trivialize tough fights, offering control over combat flow and turning defensive play into offensive opportunities, especially against aggressive enemies.
Tools for Parrying Success
Parrying requires the right equipment—shields or weapons with parry capabilities. Shields like the Buckler or weapons like the Parrying Dagger each bring unique advantages.
- Shields with Parry Skills
Shields like the Buckler boast generous parry windows, while others, like the Heater Shield, balance parrying with solid blocking, offering versatility.
- Weapons Designed for Parrying
Weapons such as the Parrying Dagger or Rapier feature parry skills, allowing shield-free parrying with faster recovery or unique follow-ups, ideal for agile builds.
- Comparing Parry Windows
Parry windows vary—Buckler’s is forgiving, while heavier shields tighten the timing, affecting how easily you can land successful parries.
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Basic Parrying Technique
Executing a parry starts with the fundamentals: equip a parry-capable item, watch the enemy, and time your move. Press L1 (PS) or LB (XB) as the attack connects—not too early or late. Success staggers the enemy for a critical strike.
- Equipping Your Gear
Choose a shield or weapon with a parry skill from your inventory, ensuring it’s active in your loadout before engaging enemies.
- Timing the Block
Press the block button at the attack’s impact point; too soon blocks it, and too late gets you hit—practice honing this split-second decision.
- Following Up
After a successful parry, press R1 (PS) or RB (XB) for a critical hit, maximizing damage on the stunned foe.
Building Parrying Skills Through Practice
- Starting with Easy Targets
Practice on Godrick Soldiers or bandits. Their slow swings are predictable, allowing you to perfect timing without overwhelming pressure.
- Using Audio Signals
Listen for enemy grunts or weapon clanks—these sounds often precede attacks, giving you an audible cue to parry accurately.
- Observing Attack Animations
Watch for wind-ups, like a raised sword or shoulder twitch, to anticipate strikes, sharpening your reaction speed over time.
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Enemies You Can Parry
Not all attacks are parriable—knowing which enemies and moves to target is crucial. Humanoids with weapons are prime candidates, while many beasts and magical attacks resist parrying.
- Humanoid Foes
Knights, soldiers, and duelists wielding swords or spears often have parryable attacks, like standard swings or thrusts, ripe for deflection.
- Beasts and Exceptions
Wolves or dragons rely on claws and bites—most can’t be parried, requiring dodging instead of parry attempts.
- Bosses with Parryable Moves
Bosses like Margit or Crucible Knights have specific parryable strikes (e.g., Margit’s hammer swings), though not all their moves qualify.
Mastering Timing for Different Attacks
Timing varies by attack speed and type—slow swings differ from rapid stabs. Shields and weapons also tweak the parry window.
- Slow Heavy Attacks
Big weapons like greatswords have long wind-ups—parry just as the blade nears, giving a wider timing cushion.
- Quick Light Strikes
Daggers or rapiers strike fast; parry at the last split-second, demanding sharper reflexes and tighter precision.
- Adjusting for Gear
Buckler’s forgiving window lets you parry slightly early, while a Rapier’s skill needs exact timing, altering your approach.
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Advanced Parrying Strategies
- Chaining Multiple Parries
Against multi-hit foes, land successive parries to keep them staggered, extending your control over the encounter.
- Baiting Enemy Moves
Dodge back to provoke attacks, then step into parry, turning their aggression to your advantage.
- Parrying in Combos
Parry’s mid-enemy combo interrupts their flow, stunning them for a counter while they’re committed.
Dealing with Unparryable Attacks
- Identifying Non-Parryable Moves
Grabs, magical blasts, or sweeping AoE attacks (e.g., dragon breath) resist parrying—watch for glowing effects or wide arcs.
- Dodging as Backup
Roll away from unparryable strikes using the dodge button (O/B), preserving health when parrying fails.
- Switching Tactics
Mix blocking and dodging with parrying, adapting to hybrid movements that blend payable and immune attacks.
Stat and Build Considerations
While parrying relies on skill, stats and builds influence its feasibility. Stamina, Dexterity, and Poise play roles in execution and recovery.
- Stamina Management
Parrying uses little stamina, but keep enough for counters—level Endurance to sustain longer fights.
- Dexterity’s Role
Higher Dexterity speeds weapon handling, aiding parry-capable weapons like daggers, though it doesn’t widen parry windows.
- Poise for Stability
More Poise prevents staggering from missed parries, letting you recover and retry without interruption.
Overcoming Parrying Challenges
- Fixing Mistimed Attempts
If parries fail, adjust timing by practicing on one enemy type, focusing on their specific rhythm.
- Handling Fast Enemies
Against quick foes, use a Buckler and react to first frames of motion, not full swings, for success.
- Recovering from Failure
Miss a parry? Roll away fast to reset, avoiding punishment while you recalibrate your approach.
Parrying in Multi-Enemy Fights
- Positioning for Safety
Face one enemy at a time, using terrain or movement to isolate targets for clean parries.
- Targeting Priority
The most aggressive foe, Parry, first, staggering them to thin the herd before others close in.
- Managing Aggro
Lure enemies apart with ranged attacks, then parry the lone pursuer without interference.
Boss-Specific Parrying Tips
- Margit the Fell Omen
Parry his hammer swings or staff thrusts—avoid his leaping slams, which resist deflection.
- Godrick the Grafted
His axe combos are parryable early in phases; dodge his fire and stomps, then strike back.
- Radagon of the Golden Order
Parry his hammer thrusts, but watch for unparryable lightning—time your moves carefully.
Integrating Parrying into Your Playstyle
- Aggressive Builds
Pair parrying with fast weapons to chain criticals, overwhelming foes with relentless pressure.
- Defensive Builds
Use parrying to counter safely behind a shield, blending it with blocks for balanced play.
- Hybrid Approaches
Mix parrying with magic or ranged attacks, softening targets before closing in for the kill.
FAQs on Parrying in Elden Ring
What’s the best shield for parrying?
The Buckler excels with its wide parry window, making it beginner-friendly, though the Parrying Dagger offers weapon-based alternatives.
How do I time a parry correctly?
Press L1/LB as the attack hits, not before—watch enemy animations and listen for audio cues to nail the moment.
Can all enemies be parried?
No, humanoids with weapons are parryable, but beasts, grabs, and magical AoE attacks usually aren’t—dodge those instead.
Does parrying use a lot of stamina?
Parrying consumes less stamina than blocking, making it efficient if timed right and preserving energy for counters.
How do I parry bosses effectively?
Study their moves—parry telegraphed strikes like Margit’s hammer, dodge unparryable ones, and practice for consistency.
Conclusion
Parrying in Elden Ring is a transformative skill, blending precision, patience, and practice into a powerful combat tool. From deflecting a soldier’s sword in Limgrave to staggering bosses like Margit, it offers control over the game’s brutal encounters.
Shields like the Buckler or weapons like the Parrying Dagger provide the means, but success hinges on timing and enemy knowledge. Start small, refine your reflexes, and adapt to diverse foes—humanoids, beasts, and titans alike.
While not every attack can be parried, blending it with dodging and blocking creates a versatile play style. The journey to mastery is steep but rewarding, turning perilous fights into displays of skill. Embrace the challenge and learn from each miss; soon, parrying will feel instinctive.
