Can Friede Be Parried? A Comprehensive Guide to Parrying the Sister of Londor
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Yes, Sister Friede can be parried in Dark Souls 3. This formidable boss, found in the Ashes of Ariandel DLC, presents a challenging encounter, but skilled players can exploit her attack patterns with well-timed parries. The ability to parry Friede is not universal across all her phases, and it requires careful observation and execution. Understanding when and how to parry her is key to overcoming this difficult boss fight.
Friede’s Parry Mechanics: Phase by Phase
Friede’s fight is divided into three distinct phases, each with its own nuances regarding parrying:
Phase 1: The Blackflame Friede
In this initial phase, almost every single move Friede performs can be parried. This is a critical point to exploit, as successfully parrying her allows for a riposte, delivering a significant chunk of damage. The attacks are generally telegraphed, making it easier for players to learn the timing. Many players find that using a small shield like the Buckler or Target Shield makes parrying in this phase more consistent, though heavier shields can also get the job done. The important takeaway is that Phase 1 is highly susceptible to parry-focused strategies.
Phase 2: Sister Friede and Father Ariandel
During Phase 2, Friede fights alongside Father Ariandel. This phase is much more chaotic, making consistent parrying difficult. However, Friede can still be parried, albeit only with a limited range of attacks. Her “basic attacks” are typically the parryable ones. She will also, occasionally, attempt to heal Father Ariandel during this phase, making it even more chaotic. While parrying is not as viable in this phase, it’s still an option for skilled players. Because of the presence of Father Ariandel, focusing on him and using that phase to create openings is a popular strategy. Do not rely solely on parrying in Phase 2.
Phase 3: Blackflame Friede Returns
In the final phase, Friede returns, powered up, with a new moveset. The possibility of parrying here is the most limited, and her swings have nearly 360-degree coverage. This makes parrying inconsistent and risky. While it is possible to parry her second swing in a sequence, attempting to parry her third is generally ill-advised due to the potential for her to delay the attack, leaving the player open to a counter. This final phase is not designed for parry strategies; focus on dodging and striking when she leaves herself open.
Maximizing Your Parry Strategy Against Friede
To effectively parry Friede, you will need to:
- Learn her attack patterns: Understanding each phase is critical. This comes with repetition and observing her tells before attacks.
- Use the right equipment: A small shield like the Buckler or Target Shield are popular choices, due to their higher parry frames.
- Practice the timings: Parry timings in Dark Souls 3 are strict; they require careful practice and mastery.
- Don’t get greedy: Focus on parrying when the opportunity arises, rather than trying to force parries. It’s often better to prioritize dodging and striking with openings as well.
- Recognize the unparryable attacks: Some of her moves, especially in Phases 2 and 3, cannot be parried. Attempting to parry these will result in damage taken.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Parrying Friede
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide additional insight into parrying Sister Friede:
1. What damage is Friede weak to?
Friede is primarily weak to strike damage. She is also susceptible to bleed, dark, and lightning damage. Building around these damage types will significantly increase your damage output.
2. What weapons work best against Friede?
Larger weapons, like greatswords and ultra greatswords, are effective for staggering her and creating openings. Specifically, the Onyx Blade is a good option due to its innate dark damage and fire weapon art.
3. Can Friede be backstabbed?
Yes, Sister Friede can be backstabbed, and in many cases, this is easier than parrying. Look for opportunities during her attack sequences to get behind her. Backstabs are particularly effective in Phase 1.
4. Is it easy to parry in Dark Souls 3?
While some attacks are easier to parry than others, rolling and running attacks are generally considered the easiest to parry. Practice is key to consistently parrying in Dark Souls 3. PvE parrying is, however, different than PvP parrying, where player actions are more random and less telegraphed.
5. What enemies cannot be parried in Dark Souls 3?
Generally, attacks from gigantic enemies, and those wielding large weapons with two hands cannot be parried. Projectiles like arrows and bolts, as well as shield bash attacks are also unparryable.
6. Can Friede’s Scythe be parried?
Yes, the larger scythe can be parried during its weapon art. However, the smaller scythe cannot be parried. The scythes also have innate shield pierce.
7. Is Friede unkindled?
Yes, Sister Friede is an Unkindled, suggesting that she attempted to link or usurp the First Flame. She is one of the three sisters that founded the Sable Church of Londor.
8. What is the best shield for parrying Friede?
The Buckler and Target Shield are widely considered the best for parrying due to their high parry frames. However, any shield can parry. The speed and reduced block make the Buckler and Target Shield ideal for parrying.
9. At what level should I fight Friede?
It’s recommended to fight Friede at an endgame level, generally, with +9 or +10 weapons. She’s designed to be a challenging boss fight and is usually the last boss many players will attempt in the Ashes of Ariandel DLC.
10. Can you summon Gael for the Friede fight?
Yes, you can summon Slave Knight Gael before the Sister Friede boss fight, located just to the left of the sliding altar. He will join the battle in Phase 2.
11. Is Friede a hard boss to parry?
Yes, Friede is considered one of the hardest bosses to parry in Dark Souls 3. Her parry windows are very small, and her moveset is complex. However, phase 1 lends itself well to the parry strategy.
12. Can you only parry her in the first phase?
No, Friede can be parried in both Phase 1 and Phase 2, but Phase 1 is much more suitable for parrying. In Phase 2, it is more difficult and limited to a specific set of her moves. Phase 3 is not designed to be parried and is very difficult to do so.
13. Is Sister Friede good or bad?
Friede is the main antagonist of the Ashes of Ariandel DLC. She is a powerful and dark Ashen One who manipulates Father Ariandel. She is generally considered “bad” within the context of the lore.
14. Can you riposte Friede after a parry?
Yes, if you successfully parry Friede, you can perform a riposte, dealing significant damage. The riposte should be exploited in Phase 1.
15. What are some tips for parrying in Dark Souls 3?
The biggest tip for parrying is patience. Don’t try to parry every attack. Learn enemy patterns, practice timings, and use a shield that favors parrying. It’s also important to remember that not every attack can be parried, and that dodging and opening for attacks, rather than only relying on parries, is important.
By understanding the mechanics of Friede’s fight and the nuances of her parry windows, you can significantly improve your chances of victory. Remember that it’s not just about parrying, but also knowing when to dodge, attack, and exploit her weaknesses. Good luck, Ashen One!