Mastering the Parry: A Comprehensive Guide to Countering in Dead Island 2

So, you’re facing down a horde of the undead in the sun-drenched streets of Hell-A, and you want to go beyond just swinging wildly? You’ve come to the right place. The parry, a crucial defensive maneuver in Dead Island 2, can turn the tide of battle and make you a formidable slayer. The core mechanic is all about timing, precision, and a bit of strategy, and this guide will cover everything you need to know.

How to Parry in Dead Island 2

The basic answer to how to parry in Dead Island 2 is this: You need a Shield equipped in your left hand, and a Parry skill card activated. Then, when an enemy is about to land a parriable melee attack, press the skill button just as their weapon or appendage is about to make contact with you. Think of it like a precise, short-timed block that allows for an opening. It’s not a straight block hold; it’s an active counter.

The Key Elements of a Successful Parry:

• Equip a Shield: First, ensure you have a shield equipped in your left hand slot. Shields are specifically designed for blocking and parrying and are essential to this maneuver.
• Activate a Parry Skill Card: Not every shield grants an instant parry. You must find and equip a skill card with “Parry” or another related parry skill to enable this feature.
• Timing is Everything: This is the most crucial element. The timing window for a parry is narrow, and it requires anticipating when the enemy’s attack will land. Don’t press the button too early or too late. You have to be precise.
• Identifying Parriable Attacks: Not all enemy attacks can be parried. Look for wind-ups or telegraphed attacks. Generally, most melee attacks from regular zombies and even some variants are parriable.
• The Button Prompt: A successful parry won’t show a button prompt. Instead, the enemy will become momentarily staggered, creating an opening for a counter attack. There will not be a prompt to follow up with a strike. You can strike right after successful parry.

Essentially, you are attempting to time your shield’s ‘block’ moment perfectly with the enemy’s impact, to stagger the zombie instead of taking damage. It will take practice, but once you’ve mastered the timing, you’ll find parrying incredibly satisfying and useful.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Parrying in Dead Island 2

Here are some common questions to further improve your understanding of parrying in Dead Island 2:

1. Can All Characters Parry in Dead Island 2?

Yes, all characters can parry in Dead Island 2. The ability to parry is not locked to specific characters. However, the effectiveness of the parry might vary slightly depending on your skill build and playstyle.

2. Do I Need a Specific Skill Card to Parry?

Yes, you absolutely need a Skill Card equipped to perform a parry. Look for skills labeled as “Parry” or something similar. Without this, you’ll only be blocking.

3. What’s the Difference Between Blocking and Parrying?

Blocking is holding the defensive ability button, which reduces damage when an attack hits your shield, and is sustained, where as parrying is a timed action performed the moment of impact. Blocking will not stagger the zombie, but parrying will.

4. How Do I Know When to Parry?

The best way to determine when to parry is to watch enemy animations carefully. Learn to anticipate their attacks. Pay attention to the wind-up of their swings and try to trigger your parry right before their weapon or limbs connect with you.

5. Is there a Visual Cue for a Successful Parry?

There isn’t a visual prompt like a specific light or icon when you successfully parry. You will know a parry was successful because the enemy will stagger momentarily. This stagger is what creates the opening for you to follow up with a counter attack.

6. What Happens When I Successfully Parry?

When you successfully parry an attack, the enemy will be staggered. This creates a temporary opening for you to unleash a powerful counterattack.

7. Can I Parry Multiple Attacks in a Row?

Yes, you can parry multiple attacks consecutively, provided you have the timing down for each one. However, it’s easier to parry one at a time to ensure the stagger.

8. Can I Parry All Enemy Types in Dead Island 2?

You can parry the melee attacks of most common zombies and some stronger variations. Some extremely strong zombies or unique attacks might be un-parriable, but most melee attacks can be parried.

9. What is the Button for Parrying?

The button you use to parry is the same button you use to activate your equipped skill. On PlayStation, that’s typically L1/LB, and on Xbox it is LB. For PC users it is usually the assigned “Defensive Skill” key.

10. Is Parrying Better than Dodging?

Both parrying and dodging are valuable defensive options, but they serve different purposes. Dodging creates space, while parrying creates opportunities for counterattacks. Which is “better” depends on your playstyle and the situation.

11. Do Skill Cards Affect My Parry Effectiveness?

Yes, some skill cards might enhance your parry’s effectiveness by increasing the stagger duration or damage of your counter attack, but the base parry itself is controlled by timing.

12. Does the Rarity of a Shield Affect My Parry?

The rarity of a shield does impact its durability, but the ability to parry is linked to the skill card and timing, not the rarity of the shield itself. A stronger shield will have more block power, and last longer, but the parry is dictated by your skill.

13. What Should I Do After a Successful Parry?

After a successful parry, you should quickly follow up with a powerful melee attack while the enemy is staggered. This will help you maximize your damage output and control the situation.

14. Can I Parry in Fury Mode?

Yes, you can still parry while in Fury Mode. In fact, Fury Mode can often give you an advantage by increasing the speed and power of your counterattacks after a successful parry.

15. Does the Type of Enemy Attack Affect How I Parry?

Yes, the timing may need to be adjusted for different types of attacks, especially from stronger variants. Experiment with different enemies and their attack patterns to fully master the timing of each parry.
By combining practice, patience, and a keen eye for enemy behavior, you’ll master parrying and become a true force to be reckoned with in Dead Island 2. Happy zombie slaying!