Can You Parry Guardian Lasers? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, absolutely! You can parry Guardian lasers in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (and its sequel, Tears of the Kingdom), and it’s a crucial skill for survival against these formidable enemies. While seemingly daunting, mastering the parry mechanic is far more effective than simply trying to outrun or overpower these ancient machines. This guide will delve deep into the mechanics of parrying Guardian lasers, explain which shields work best, and answer all your burning questions about this essential combat tactic.

The Art of the Parry: Timing is Everything

The key to successfully parrying a Guardian laser lies in perfect timing. It’s not about brute force but about anticipating the precise moment the laser fires. Here’s how it works:

• Shield Up: You’ll need to raise your shield by pressing the ZL button (on Nintendo Switch) or the corresponding block button on other platforms.
• The Anticipation: Watch the Guardian closely. As it prepares to fire, you’ll notice its eye glow blue, accompanied by a distinct “beep” sound. The laser isn’t immediate. You’ll see energy building around the eye before the beam fires.
• The Parry: Just as you see the flash of energy, press the A button (or the corresponding action button). This should be precisely timed with the laser firing.
• The Result: If timed perfectly, the laser will be reflected back at the Guardian, causing significant damage. If you are too early or too late, the attack will either damage your shield or miss you.

Perfect Parry vs. Normal Block

It’s critical to understand that a successful parry is not simply blocking. Blocking will only mitigate the damage from the laser. A normal block is initiated when you simply hold down the shield button. A perfect parry involves pressing the action button the instant the laser makes contact with the shield. This is when the magic happens, not just deflecting damage, but dealing it.

Which Shields Can Parry Guardian Lasers?

The good news is that any shield can parry a Guardian laser! Yes, even the humble Pot Lid, the weakest shield in the game, is capable of reflecting these powerful beams with a successful parry. This accessibility encourages players to learn the parry mechanic regardless of what gear they have. This means you do not need a high level shield to fight Guardians! However, there are also specialized options that offer additional protection:

The Ancient Shield

The Ancient Shield stands out as a unique choice. It does not require manual parrying to deflect guardian lasers. As long as the shield is raised and pointed in the general direction of a Guardian’s laser, the beam is automatically reflected. This feature makes it incredibly useful and simplifies combat against Guardians. However, it can be more costly to obtain and repair.

The Hylian Shield

The legendary Hylian Shield is another excellent option. While it doesn’t auto-parry like the Ancient Shield, it boasts high durability and can withstand many Guardian blasts before breaking. This gives you a wider margin for error if you miss a parry or two. This will also protect you better if you are not able to perfect parry.

Other Shields

While the Ancient and Hylian shields are often prioritized, remember that shields are not the limiting factor for parrying guardian lasers. Any regular shield you might find on the ground can deflect beams when timed well. With consistent practice, you can master parrying using any equipment!

Mastering the Parry: Tips and Tricks

• Practice Makes Perfect: The best way to improve your parrying is to practice! Find a Guardian Stalker or Scout and dedicate some time to practicing the timing. The more you try, the better you will become.
• Listen to the Beep: Use the Guardian’s “beep” sound as an auditory cue. This sound precedes the laser firing and can help you time your parry.
• Watch the Eye: Keep your eyes locked on the Guardian’s eye. The visual cue of the eye glowing blue and building energy is crucial for accurate parrying.
• Distance Matters: The closer you are to a Guardian, the tighter the parry timing. Consider practicing at varying distances to understand how distance affects your timing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I parry lasers from all types of Guardians?

Yes, the parry mechanic works against all Guardian types, including Stalkers, Skywatchers, Turrets, and Scouts. The timing is similar for each, but it is good to practice on different types of guardians.

2. What happens if I block instead of parrying?

If you simply block the laser, your shield will absorb damage. Too many direct hits may disintegrate a weaker shield or break a stronger one. This is why the perfect parry is vital.

3. Does the Ancient Shield take damage from lasers?

No, the Ancient Shield does not take damage when automatically deflecting lasers. It can withstand an incredible amount of hits. However, it will still take damage from other attacks.

4. Can I parry Calamity Ganon’s Guardian-like blasts?

Yes! During its second phase, Calamity Ganon will fire Guardian-like lasers, which can be parried to inflict massive damage. This is essential for quickly defeating him.

5. Does parrying work against Guardian Scout beams?

Absolutely, you can deflect Guardian Scout beams with a parry. This is a common strategy to minimize damage during combat.

6. Is the Ancient Shield worth the investment?

Yes, especially if you struggle with parrying. The auto-deflect function of the Ancient Shield is a lifesaver against multiple Guardians.

7. How do I get an Ancient Shield?

You can purchase the Ancient Shield from Robbie at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab in exchange for rupees and Guardian parts.

8. Can the Master Sword defeat Guardians?

Yes, the Master Sword is extremely effective against Guardians. It deals significant damage and is a great addition to any arsenal.

9. What is the perfect guard?

The perfect guard is when you press the A button (or equivalent) right before an enemy’s attack lands. This will often stun the attacker, allowing you to deal damage.

10. How much damage do Guardian lasers do?

Guardian Stalkers’ laser beams can deal up to 58 points of damage, which is why parrying is an essential skill.

11. Can you parry in Tears of the Kingdom?

Yes, the parry mechanics are similar in Tears of the Kingdom, though there may be some small nuances. Your knowledge of parrying from Breath of the Wild is still extremely relevant.

12. Can you damage your own Guardian Shield in Fortnite?

In Fortnite, Guardian Shields can be damaged to collect microchips for a quest. This mechanic is exclusive to Fortnite and is separate from The Legend of Zelda.

13. Can Guardians see through glass?

Tinted Glass would block a guardian’s vision and their laser beams. In Zelda games this does not apply, but it does in other games like Minecraft.

14. What other tactics can I use against Guardians?

Aside from parrying, you can use elemental weapons to freeze or shock Guardians. Using these tactics can slow them down and leave them vulnerable to higher damage attacks.

15. Is the Master Sword the strongest weapon?

While iconic, the Master Sword is not necessarily the strongest weapon. There are other weapons with higher raw attack power. However, it still remains one of the strongest weapons against guardians.

By understanding and mastering the parry mechanic, you’ll transform your encounters with Guardians from daunting battles into strategic and satisfying victories. Remember, practice is key, and with patience and persistence, you’ll soon become a parry master. Good luck!