Parry vs. Guard Counter in Elden Ring: A Tarnished’s Guide

In the brutal world of Elden Ring, survival hinges on mastering its combat mechanics. Two crucial defensive techniques, the Parry and the Guard Counter, offer distinct approaches to mitigating damage and creating offensive opportunities. Understanding their differences is paramount to becoming a true Elden Lord.

Simply put, a Parry is a timed block that deflects an enemy’s attack, often leaving them vulnerable to a critical hit. A Guard Counter is a powerful counter-attack performed immediately after blocking an attack with a shield, dealing significant posture damage.

Understanding the Core Mechanics

The Art of Parrying

Parrying in Elden Ring, like in other FromSoftware titles, is a high-risk, high-reward maneuver. It involves using a shield (or a parrying tool like a dagger or specific Ash of War) and pressing the block button just as an enemy’s attack is about to connect. A successful parry will stagger the enemy, opening them up for a critical attack (often a visceral attack executed near the staggered enemy).

• Timing is Crucial: The window for a successful parry is very small, requiring precise timing and knowledge of enemy attack patterns. Different shields and tools have varying parry windows, influencing the difficulty.
• Risk vs. Reward: A mistimed parry leaves you vulnerable to the full force of the attack. However, a successful parry can instantly turn the tide of battle, especially against tough bosses.
• Limited Applicability: Not all attacks can be parried. Jump attacks, certain weapon types (like colossal weapons wielded two-handed), and some unique boss attacks are generally unparryable.

The Power of Guard Counters

Guard Counters provide a more forgiving, yet equally effective, defensive option. After successfully blocking an attack with a shield, pressing the heavy attack button will initiate a Guard Counter.

• Accessibility: Guard Counters have a more generous timing window compared to parries, making them easier to execute consistently.
• Staggering Potential: Guard Counters excel at building up an enemy’s posture, which, when broken, leaves them vulnerable for a critical attack. This is especially effective against heavily armored enemies.
• Shield Dependency: Guard Counters require a shield. The shield’s stats (specifically Guard Boost) determine the stamina cost of blocking and the effectiveness of the subsequent counterattack.
• Less Damage Than a Parry: While Guard Counters deal significant posture damage, they do not directly inflict as much immediate damage as a critical attack following a successful parry.

Key Differences Summarized

Feature	Parry	Guard Counter
—————–	—————————————-	——————————————-
Timing	Very Precise	More Forgiving
Stamina Cost	Minimal (if successful)	Depends on Shield Guard Boost
Reward	Critical Attack (High Damage)	Posture Break (Leads to Critical)
Risk	Vulnerability to Full Attack	Reduced Damage if Blocked
Requirements	Parrying Shield/Tool	Any Shield
Attack Types	Limited (Not all attacks parryable)	Effective Against Most Melee Attacks
Stagger Effect	Direct Stagger (if successful)	Posture Buildup

Choosing the Right Approach

The choice between parrying and Guard Countering depends on several factors:

• Your Playstyle: If you prefer a more aggressive, risk-taking style, parrying might be more appealing. If you favor a more methodical, defensive approach, Guard Counters are a better fit.
• Enemy Type: Some enemies are more easily parried than others. Experiment to see what works best.
• Weapon and Shield Choice: Certain shields are specifically designed for parrying (e.g., the Buckler), while others excel at blocking and Guard Countering. Weapons with faster guard counters, such as straight swords, can give an advantage.
• Skill Level: Parrying requires practice and mastery. Start with Guard Counters and gradually incorporate parrying as you become more comfortable with the game’s combat system.
• Build: Some builds, like a pure mage or a faith build, may not want to invest the stats into strength required to use a shield and therefore not be able to utilize Guard Counters.

Mastering Both Techniques

Ultimately, the best approach is to master both parrying and Guard Countering. By understanding their strengths and weaknesses, you can adapt your strategy to any situation and become a formidable force in the Lands Between. The knowledge you gain from Elden Ring combat can translate into improved strategic thinking, a skill also fostered by educational games and explored further by organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is guard counter the same as parry?

No. A Parry is a precisely timed block that deflects an attack, leaving the enemy vulnerable. A Guard Counter is a powerful counter-attack executed after blocking with a shield, focused on staggering the enemy.

2. Should I use parry in Elden Ring?

Yes, if you’re skilled at it. Parrying can open enemies for critical hits, dealing massive damage. However, it requires practice and knowledge of enemy attack patterns. It is more risky than a guard counter.

3. What does guarding do in Elden Ring?

Guarding, or blocking, reduces or negates incoming damage, depending on the shield’s Guarded Damage Negation stats and Guard Boost. It also allows you to perform Guard Counters.

4. Is guard countering better than parrying?

Neither is inherently “better.” Guard Countering is more accessible and reliable, while Parrying offers a higher damage potential. The best choice depends on your skill, playstyle, and the enemy you’re facing.

5. Are guard counters good in Elden Ring?

Yes! Guard Counters are exceptionally useful for breaking enemy posture and creating opportunities for critical attacks. They are especially valuable for melee builds using shields.

6. What is the strongest parry in Elden Ring?

The “strongest” parry depends on what you mean. The Buckler has the largest parry window, making it the easiest to use. However, Golden Parry and Carian Retaliation (Ashes of War) provide ranged parries and can be more versatile.

7. What attacks cannot be parried in Elden Ring?

Generally, you can’t parry jump attacks, most two-handed colossal weapon attacks, certain charged attacks, and some unique boss attacks. Some animal attacks are also not parry-able.

8. What is the best guard counter weapon in Elden Ring?

Straight Swords are generally considered the best weapons for guard counters because of their fast attack speed and good damage.

9. How do you block in Elden Ring effectively?

Equip a shield in your left hand (or two-hand a weapon) and hold the block button (usually L1/LB). Ensure your shield has high Guarded Damage Negation stats to minimize damage taken and a high Guard Boost stat to minimize stamina consumption.

10. Can you parry without a shield in Elden Ring?

No, parrying in Elden Ring requires a shield equipped with the ability to parry, such as the Buckler or a small shield with the Parry Ash of War, or an offhand weapon like a dagger that can parry, or an Ash of War like Golden Parry or Carian Retaliation.

11. What is the easiest parry in Elden Ring?

The easiest parry is generally considered to be using the Buckler shield, due to its large parry window.

12. Can you guard counter with colossal weapons?

While you can guard with a colossal weapon if two-handed, you cannot Guard Counter without a shield equipped in your left hand.

13. What is the hardest common enemy in Elden Ring?

The Fingercreepers are notoriously difficult and disturbing enemies, known for their unpredictable attacks and ability to quickly overwhelm players.

14. Can you parry colossal weapons?

You cannot parry two-handed attacks from Colossal Weapons.

15. Can you parry most bosses in Elden Ring?

Yes, many bosses in Elden Ring can be parried, but not all attacks are parryable. Experimentation is key to learning which attacks can be deflected.