Does Parry Count as Guard Counter in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is no, a parry does not count as a guard counter in Elden Ring. While both are defensive mechanics involving timed actions against an enemy’s attack, they operate differently and have distinct outcomes. A guard counter is a follow-up attack executed immediately after successfully blocking an enemy’s blow, whereas a parry is a more precise defensive maneuver aimed at deflecting an incoming attack, often setting up a critical hit opportunity. Understanding the nuances of these mechanics is key to mastering Elden Ring’s combat system.
Understanding Guard Counters
Mechanics of a Guard Counter
A guard counter is triggered by blocking an incoming attack with your shield or weapon and then immediately performing a heavy attack (RT or R2). The timing for the initial block is not critical; you simply need to successfully block the blow. However, the heavy attack must follow soon after the block. Unlike a parry, a guard counter does not guarantee a stun on the enemy, and the enemy can recover if they are quick enough or you’re facing multiple opponents.
Advantages and Limitations
Guard counters are a valuable tool for defensive builds, as they allow players to counter-attack directly from a defensive stance. However, they do come with limitations. The damage of guard counters is affected by your weapon’s stats, and the enemy’s posture stat dictates how easily they’ll be staggered. Unlike parries, there is also no follow up critical hit with a guard counter, it is just a straight attack. This means it may take multiple guard counters to break an enemy’s poise and set them up for a critical hit.
Enhancing Guard Counters
To amplify the effectiveness of guard counters, players can utilize specific items. For example, the Curved Sword Talisman significantly increases guard counter damage by 20%. This makes guard counters a viable damage option, particularly for players who prefer a more reactive, defensive approach to combat.
Understanding Parries
Mechanics of a Parry
A parry is a much more precise defensive maneuver, requiring perfect timing to deflect an incoming attack. The timing for a parry is much tighter than a block, meaning it needs to be executed just as the enemy’s attack is about to land. A successful parry will cause the enemy to stagger and open them up for a critical hit (R1/RB). Parrying is a riskier strategy, since a failed attempt will leave you vulnerable to attack.
Benefits of Parrying
Parrying can be an incredibly powerful tool in Elden Ring, especially against humanoid enemies. A successful parry not only negates all damage from the attack (if executed perfectly) but also provides the player with an opportunity to counterattack. Parrying uses less stamina than blocking and allows you to quickly go on the offensive. However, not all enemies and attacks can be parried, and a failed parry leaves you open to damage.
Parrying Equipment
Certain equipment enhances the ability to parry. The Buckler shield is considered one of the best early game shields for parrying due to its generous parry window, which provides a greater margin for error. Also, the Golden Parry skill, which can be applied to small and medium shields, makes parrying easier by infusing the shield with the power of the Erdtree.
Key Differences Summarized
- Timing: Guard counters involve a relatively relaxed block followed by a heavy attack, while parries require precise timing just before an attack lands.
- Outcome: Guard counters do damage but don’t necessarily guarantee a stun, while a successful parry guarantees a critical hit opportunity.
- Risk vs. Reward: Guard counters are less risky, but less rewarding, while parries are high-risk, high-reward.
- Equipment: Certain shields such as the Buckler and skills like Golden Parry specifically enhance parrying. Guard counter damage is enhanced by the Curved Sword Talisman.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is parrying just a form of blocking?
Not exactly. All parrying may be considered a form of blocking, as it negates an attack, but not all blocking is parrying. Blocking only reduces or negates damage while parrying deflects the attack entirely.
2. Can you parry with any weapon in Elden Ring?
Generally, you parry with a shield or certain weapons with parry skills. Larger shields are not typically used for parrying. It’s best to use small shields or special parrying weapons.
3. What is the easiest shield to parry with?
The Buckler is widely considered the easiest shield to parry with due to its extended parry window.
4. Does parrying negate all damage?
A perfect parry will negate all damage. However, even with a successful parry, you may take slight damage if the timing was off by a small margin.
5. Why is parrying considered hard in Elden Ring?
Compared to previous FromSoftware games like Dark Souls 3, Elden Ring has a tighter timing window for parrying, making it more challenging to execute consistently.
6. Can you parry all enemy types?
No, most bosses are not parriable. Usually, only smaller humanoid enemies and certain hunter type enemies can be parried.
7. What types of attacks can’t be parried?
Flail and whip attacks cannot be parried. Ranged attacks are also not parriable, with a few exceptions that have special parry skills.
8. What is the advantage of parrying over blocking?
Parrying conserves more stamina than blocking, and leads to a much greater advantage by setting up a critical hit opportunity, where blocking can lead to counterattack.
9. Can you parry with light attacks?
No. Light attacks do not parry. Normally, a parry is executed with the special parry skill on a shield or weapon or by using a heavy attack while holding a shield that does not have a parry skill.
10. Does the type of weapon affect guard counter damage?
Yes, your weapon’s damage stats directly impact the damage dealt by a guard counter. A weapon with higher damage will deal more damage on a successful guard counter attack. The type of weapon also affects guard counter performance, with Straight Swords having the best guard counter capabilities.
11. Can you enhance guard counter damage with specific equipment?
Yes, using the Curved Sword Talisman will increase your guard counter damage by 20%.
12. When is the best time to try and parry?
When facing a single, low-level enemy, giving you a lower stakes situation to get some practice and get the hang of parrying.
13. What is the best way to learn to parry?
Practice, practice, practice. Focus on the timing of enemy attacks and practice against weaker enemies that you can beat consistently, so you are in no risk of dying and can take some time to study the enemy’s attack timings.
14. Is parrying realistic in real life combat?
While parrying is a practiced technique in martial arts, its efficacy in real-world street fighting situations is limited, where engagements are often more chaotic and less predictable than simulated combat.
15. Can you parry critical attacks?
Yes, a critical hit can parry any hit from a brutal weapon.
Understanding the differences between parrying and guard counters, along with their unique advantages and disadvantages, is essential for becoming a master of combat in Elden Ring. Both are powerful tools, and knowing how to utilize them will significantly improve your survivability in the unforgiving world of the Lands Between.