Is Friede Parryable? A Deep Dive into the Dark Souls 3 Boss
Yes, Sister Friede is parryable throughout all three phases of her challenging boss fight in Dark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandel. However, the feasibility and safety of parrying her vary significantly depending on the phase and specific attack. While consistently parrying her is a viable strategy, particularly in the first phase, players should exercise caution when attempting parries in phases two and three, as certain attacks are either unparryable or too risky to attempt.
The Art of Parrying Sister Friede: Phase by Phase
Phase 1: A Parry Paradise
The first phase of the Sister Friede fight is often considered a parry playground. Nearly all of her basic attacks, including single and double slashes with her scythe, are easily parried. Successfully parrying these attacks allows for a devastating riposte, significantly reducing her health and making the first phase relatively quick for players comfortable with the parry mechanic. This phase provides the best opportunity to reliably parry Friede, and focusing on parries here can set the stage for a much easier overall fight.
Phase 2: The Parry Challenge
In the second phase, which sees Friede team up with Father Ariandel, Friede’s focus shifts. She no longer attempts critical attacks, opting for a more defensive and support-oriented role. While she occasionally tries to heal, her basic attacks remain largely the same, and many of them are still parryable. However, this phase is complicated by the presence of Father Ariandel, who also poses a threat. Therefore, focusing entirely on parrying Friede in phase two might not be the optimal strategy, as it can expose players to attacks from Ariandel. Players must exercise discretion, recognizing that opportunities to parry are still available, but timing and positioning become crucial.
Phase 3: The Blackflame Gauntlet
Phase three, where Friede transforms into Blackflame Friede, is the most challenging to parry. Although she can technically be parried in this phase, her attacks become much faster, and she incorporates new, more aggressive combos. Many of her attacks, such as her cyclones, jump attacks, quick successions, and Blackflame attacks, should generally be avoided for parrying. It is best to stick to the single or double scythe attacks and not become too greedy. Players attempting to parry frequently during this phase can easily be caught off-guard by her faster and more complex move set. Focusing on other strategies, such as backstabs and utilizing her weakness to bleed and strike damage, might be more effective and sustainable during this final phase.
Mastering the Parry: Key Considerations
While Friede is, in general, parryable, a few key points should be considered:
- Not All Attacks are Parryable: As noted earlier, avoid attempting to parry her more elaborate attacks, especially in phase three.
- Timing is Crucial: Mastering the timing of her attacks is essential for successful parries. Observing her attack patterns carefully will significantly increase parry success rate.
- Parry Tools Matter: Certain parrying tools, like small shields or parrying daggers, can make the process easier due to their faster parry frames.
- Don’t Over-Rely on Parries: Parrying should be a part of the strategy, not the only strategy. Don’t rely on parrying if you aren’t comfortable with it as Friede can be defeated using other means.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the best strategy for Sister Friede?
The best strategy for Sister Friede involves using a combination of tactics. Capitalizing on her weakness to strike and bleed damage is crucial. Weapons like the Wolf Knight Greatsword, paired with spells like Dorhy’s Gnawing, can quickly inflict bleed, leading to significant damage. Focusing on backstabs and well-timed dodges, in conjunction with a selective parry strategy, will make the fight more manageable.
2. What is Sister Friede weak against?
Sister Friede is primarily weak against strike damage and the bleed status ailment. Despite using magic attacks herself, she is not particularly vulnerable to magic damage or other elemental attacks, except lightning. However, she is resistant to magic damage and is immune to frostbite.
3. Is Sister Friede the hardest boss in Dark Souls 3?
Many players consider Sister Friede to be one of the hardest bosses in Dark Souls 3, and even in the entire Souls series. Her multi-phase fight, aggressive attacks, and ability to punish mistakes make her an incredibly challenging foe.
4. What weapons are recommended to fight Friede?
The Wolf Knight Greatsword is highly recommended due to its ability to knock Friede down, allowing for backstabs. Weapons that inflict bleed are also beneficial. Spells like Dorhy’s Gnawing can rapidly fill the bleed meter on both Friede and Father Ariandel.
5. Is it safe to parry Sister Friede’s jump attacks?
No, it is generally not safe to parry Sister Friede’s jump attacks. These attacks are unpredictable and can punish players who attempt to parry them. Focus on dodging or rolling away from these attacks instead.
6. Is Blackflame Friede’s third phase parryable?
Yes, Blackflame Friede’s third phase is parryable. However, it is extremely risky. Only her basic single or double scythe attacks should be considered for parrying, and many players prefer not to parry her at all during this phase.
7. What are the key differences in her phases?
In the first phase, she is aggressive and focuses on melee attacks. In the second phase, she collaborates with Father Ariandel. In the third phase, as Blackflame Friede, she becomes more aggressive with a wider array of attacks, including dark magic.
8. Should I attempt to parry in phase two when Ariandel is present?
Players can still parry some attacks, but it is more strategic to focus on managing both bosses. Too much focus on parrying Friede can open you to attacks from Ariandel.
9. What level should I be to fight Sister Friede?
Players are generally recommended to be at an endgame level (whatever you’re at after Lothric Castle) with +9 or +10 weapons. Attempting the fight at a lower level can increase the difficulty significantly.
10. Can Friede be backstabbed?
Yes, Friede is very susceptible to backstabs. Especially in phases one and two, finding opportunities to position yourself behind her can inflict a substantial amount of damage.
11. Is Friede resistant to magic damage?
Yes, Friede is resistant to magic damage. Though she uses pyromancies, miracles, and dark magic spells, she is still resistant to magic attacks from the player, making them a less effective option.
12. Are there any unparryable attacks in Dark Souls 3?
Yes, players cannot parry jumping/plunging attacks, and when two-handed, R1 and R2 attacks from Ultra Greatswords, Greataxes, and Great Hammers are also unparryable.
13. Is Sister Friede a bad guy?
Elfriede, or Sister Friede, is the main antagonist and final boss of the Ashes of Ariandel DLC. She seeks to prevent the flame from being used to create a new painted world, wanting the current world to rot instead.
14. Why do we fight Sister Friede?
Players fight Sister Friede because she is trying to prevent the cycle of fire and wants the current painted world to decay. She must be defeated to progress in the DLC and potentially create a new painted world.
15. Is Friede a sad boss?
Friede’s lore is often considered tragic due to her role as a corrupted Ashen One seeking to avoid the cycle of fire. Her story adds to the game’s complex and often melancholic narrative. While the game’s bosses are often seen as antagonists, many have compelling lore that makes them not entirely evil.
In conclusion, while Sister Friede is parryable, especially in the first phase, players should approach parrying with a strategic mindset. Combining parries with other tactics, such as backstabs, exploiting her weaknesses to bleed and strike damage, and learning her attack patterns will be the most effective way to overcome this formidable boss.