Is Golden Parry the Best Parry in Elden Ring? A Deep Dive
The question of whether Golden Parry is the best parry in Elden Ring is complex, but the short answer is: it depends on your playstyle and what you’re trying to accomplish. While Golden Parry offers significant advantages, like extended range and the ability to parry at a distance, it isn’t a universally superior choice. Its effectiveness hinges on the player’s skill, the enemy being faced, and the overall build being used. Other parrying tools, like the Buckler and Carian Retaliation, offer their own unique benefits that may be more suitable in specific situations.
Analyzing Golden Parry’s Strengths
Golden Parry is arguably one of the most powerful parrying tools available in Elden Ring, thanks primarily to its extended range. This allows you to parry attacks from a safer distance, which can be a lifesaver against fast or erratic enemies. The golden wave emitted by the skill also makes it easier to visually identify the parry window, which can be helpful for players who are still learning the timing.
- Extended Range: This is the defining feature of Golden Parry. The ability to parry attacks from further away reduces the risk of getting caught in an enemy’s attack string and gives you more time to react.
- Sacred Affinity: When applied to a shield, Golden Parry automatically grants it the Sacred Affinity. This may not always be desirable, depending on your build and preferred scaling, but it can add some Holy damage to your guard counters.
- Visual Cue: The golden wave provides a clear visual indicator of when the parry is active, which can be especially useful for players who struggle with the timing of standard parries.
Examining the Competition: Other Parry Options
Golden Parry isn’t the only contender for the title of “best parry” in Elden Ring. Other options, such as the Buckler and Carian Retaliation, offer distinct advantages that make them viable alternatives.
The Buckler: Parry Perfectionist’s Choice
The Buckler is a small shield renowned for its generous parry window. While it offers minimal protection, its larger parry frames make it significantly easier to land successful parries, especially for those who are still mastering the mechanic. The Buckler is a fantastic choice for players who prioritize ease of use and consistency.
Carian Retaliation: A Parry with Benefits
Carian Retaliation is another top-tier parry option, often considered to be tied with Golden Parry in terms of effectiveness. Its main draw is its ability to parry spells, converting them into Glintstone projectiles that can be fired back at the caster. This makes it incredibly valuable against magic-heavy bosses and enemies. While it doesn’t have the range of Golden Parry, the ability to retaliate with a powerful magical attack makes it a formidable tool.
The Drawbacks of Golden Parry
Despite its strengths, Golden Parry isn’t without its drawbacks. One of the primary considerations is the FP cost. While relatively low at 4 FP per use, frequent parrying can quickly drain your FP pool, especially in prolonged encounters. This may necessitate investing points into Mind or relying on Cerulean Tears to replenish your FP.
- FP Consumption: Requires 4 FP per use.
- Not Always Necessary: Against certain enemies with predictable attacks, the extended range of Golden Parry may be overkill. In these situations, a standard parry with a Buckler might be more efficient.
- Sacred Affinity Restriction: The forced Sacred Affinity might not suit every build.
Making the Right Choice
Ultimately, the best parry option in Elden Ring is the one that best suits your individual playstyle and the specific challenges you face. If you value ease of use and a forgiving parry window, the Buckler is an excellent choice. If you’re facing magic-heavy enemies, Carian Retaliation is a game-changer. And if you want the flexibility of parrying from a distance, Golden Parry is a powerful tool to have in your arsenal.
Experimentation and practice are key to determining which parry option works best for you. Each has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, and the best way to find the perfect fit is to try them all out and see what feels the most comfortable and effective.
FAQ: Mastering the Parry in Elden Ring
1. What are parry frames?
Parry frames are the specific frames within an animation during which a successful parry can be executed. A larger number of parry frames translates to a more forgiving window for performing the parry.
2. Does the shield’s weight affect parry frames?
Generally, smaller shields tend to have more parry frames than larger shields. The Buckler is a prime example of this, offering the most generous parry window in the game despite its minimal protection.
3. Can you parry every attack in Elden Ring?
No, not all attacks are parryable. Certain attacks, particularly those from larger enemies or heavily telegraphed strikes, are designed to be blocked or dodged rather than parried. Experimentation is key to learning which attacks can be parried.
4. How does poise affect parrying?
Poise is a stat that determines how easily your character can be staggered. If your poise is too low, you may be staggered out of the parry animation, resulting in a failed parry and potential damage.
5. What’s the difference between a block and a parry?
A block is a defensive maneuver that reduces the damage taken from an attack. A parry, on the other hand, is a timed defensive move that deflects an attack, potentially staggering the enemy and opening them up for a critical hit.
6. Is parrying more difficult in Elden Ring than in previous FromSoftware games?
Many players find parrying in Elden Ring to be more challenging than in some previous FromSoftware games, due to the faster pace of combat and the slightly tighter parry windows.
7. Can you parry with weapons?
Some weapons, particularly certain daggers and thrusting swords, have a parry skill that can be used in place of a shield. However, these parries often have different timing and properties than shield parries.
8. What are the best early-game shields for parrying?
The Buckler is widely considered to be the best early-game shield for parrying, due to its large parry window and low stat requirements. Other viable options include the Small Leather Shield and the Riveted Wooden Shield.
9. Does Golden Parry work against all types of projectiles?
While Golden Parry excels at parrying physical projectiles and some spells, it may not be effective against all types of magical attacks. Some spells are designed to be dodged or absorbed, rather than parried.
10. How do I practice parrying?
The best way to practice parrying is to find a reliable enemy with predictable attacks and repeatedly attempt to parry their strikes. The soldiers near the Gatefront Site of Grace are a good starting point. Don’t be discouraged by failures; practice makes perfect.
11. Does latency affect parrying in online play?
Yes, latency can significantly impact parrying in online play. The delay between your input and the game’s response can make it difficult to time parries accurately.
12. What is a critical hit or “riposte”?
A critical hit, often referred to as a riposte, is a powerful attack that can be performed on an enemy after they have been staggered by a successful parry or backstab. Critical hits deal significantly more damage than regular attacks.
13. How does the ‘No Skill’ Ash of War affect parrying?
The ‘No Skill’ Ash of War allows you to use the weapon art of your right-hand weapon while wielding a shield. This is particularly useful when you want to use a weapon with a strong skill but still have the ability to parry with your shield.
14. Can you parry boss attacks?
Yes, many boss attacks in Elden Ring can be parried. However, the timing can be very tight, and some boss attacks are unparryable. Learning which attacks can be parried is essential for mastering boss encounters.
15. Are there any resources to learn more about Elden Ring combat mechanics?
Yes, there are numerous online resources available to learn more about Elden Ring combat mechanics. Websites like the Elden Ring Wiki are a great place to start. Also consider exploring educational resources like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
In conclusion, while Golden Parry offers compelling advantages, the “best” parry option in Elden Ring is subjective and depends on individual preferences and circumstances. Embrace experimentation, practice diligently, and discover the parrying style that empowers you to conquer the Lands Between.