Mastering the Parry: Understanding Unparryable Attacks in Elden Ring
In the brutal, unforgiving world of Elden Ring, mastering the art of parrying is crucial for survival. This defensive maneuver can turn the tide of battle, opening up enemies for devastating critical hits. However, not all attacks are created equal, and attempting to parry the wrong thing will often lead to a swift and painful demise. So, what attacks can’t be parried in Elden Ring? Here’s a comprehensive breakdown:
The primary categories of unparryable attacks include:
- Two-Handed Colossal Weapon Attacks: When wielding a colossal weapon two-handed, almost all of its attacks become unparryable. If the same weapon is used one-handed, the attacks can typically be parried.
- Whip Attacks: Regardless of whether they are single- or dual-wielded, whip attacks cannot be parried. This unique weapon type is designed to bypass blocks and cannot be punished with parries.
- Flail Attacks: Similar to whips, flails are also designed to be unparryable. Their swinging, unpredictable movements make them unsuitable for parrying.
- Ranged Attacks (Generally): Most ranged attacks, including arrows, spells, and incantations are generally not parryable in Elden Ring. There are certain exceptions where specific parry-based skills and Ash of Wars can deflect some projectiles.
- Certain Enemy Attacks: Some enemies possess unique attacks that are inherently unparryable, such as certain grabs, spells, and attacks that rely on AoE or similar mechanics.
- Specific Non-Physical Attacks: Certain non-physical attacks like environmental hazards and some very specific magical effects are also impossible to parry.
These are the main categories of attacks that can’t be parried in Elden Ring. It’s crucial to learn these limitations to effectively utilize the parry mechanic and adapt your strategy accordingly. Understanding what you can’t parry is just as important as knowing what you can.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Parrying in Elden Ring
To help further clarify the intricacies of parrying in Elden Ring, here are 15 related FAQs:
1. Can whips be parried in Elden Ring?
No, whip attacks cannot be parried. This is a key characteristic of whips, making them difficult to defend against with a parry strategy.
2. Can two-handed colossal weapon attacks be parried in Elden Ring?
Generally, no. Most attacks with colossal weapons when used two-handed are unparryable. However, if a colossal weapon is wielded one-handed, its attacks can usually be parried.
3. Can you parry flail attacks in Elden Ring?
No, attacks from flails are unparryable due to their erratic and wide swings. This makes flails tricky to deal with using a parry approach.
4. Are ranged attacks parryable in Elden Ring?
Most ranged attacks are not parryable. However, specific skills and Ashes of War that enhance your parrying can sometimes be used to deflect certain projectiles.
5. Are there any shields better for parrying than others?
Yes, the Buckler is widely considered one of the best shields for parrying due to its forgiving parry window. It can be purchased from Gatekeeper Gostoc. Medium shields can also be good for parrying, though they tend to have tighter timings.
6. What kind of weapon attacks are best for parrying?
The most effective attacks to parry are usually single-handed melee attacks with most weapon types, except those specifically outlined as unparryable.
7. Can you parry the attacks of the Tree Sentinel boss?
Yes, most attacks of the Tree Sentinel can be parried, particularly the Charging Attack and Leap Attack. However, the timing for its Side Swings can be trickier.
8. Can you parry fist weapon attacks?
Yes, fist and claw weapon attacks can be parried. However, the parry window can vary, with some being harder to time than others.
9. Can you parry Malenia, Blade of Miquella?
Yes, Malenia’s attacks are mostly parryable, including her standard melee attacks. Mastering the timing for her sword swings is a key part of beating her with parries.
10. Are there any enemies that are especially easy to parry?
The Night’s Cavalry is a good example of enemies whose attacks are highly parryable, making them easy to punish with this mechanic.
11. Can you parry Pontiff Sulyvahn’s attacks?
Yes, many of Pontiff Sulyvahn’s attacks are parryable, especially his lunging and back swings. Dodging and positioning are key to parrying him effectively.
12. Can you parry blood knight attacks?
Yes, you can parry the blood knight’s attacks, especially the one where he drags his claw on the ground, allowing you to stagger them.
13. Why is parrying harder in Elden Ring compared to other Souls games?
Parrying is generally considered more challenging in Elden Ring than in Dark Souls 3 due to its faster parry timing. Players need to react more quickly to successfully pull off the parry.
14. Does having a higher dexterity stat affect the parry window?
No, dexterity does not directly affect the parry window. However, it can increase your overall attack speed, which indirectly affects how frequently you can use the mechanic.
15. Can you parry all physical attacks in Elden Ring?
No, not all physical attacks can be parried. You can parry the majority of them, but as we’ve outlined, specific types such as two-handed colossal weapon attacks, whip and flail attacks, as well as certain enemy specific attacks are all unparryable.
Conclusion
Mastering the parry mechanic in Elden Ring requires a deep understanding of what you can and, more importantly, what you cannot parry. This knowledge empowers players to adapt their defensive strategies, learn the timing of enemy attacks, and ultimately, triumph over even the toughest foes. While many attacks are vulnerable to this powerful counter, respecting the limitations of parrying is crucial for survival in the Lands Between. By understanding the unparryable attacks you can effectively use the tools at your disposal in Elden Ring.