Unveiling the Unparryable: A Comprehensive Guide to Elden Ring’s Parry Limitations

In the brutal yet beautiful world of Elden Ring, mastering the art of parrying is crucial for survival. Deflecting an incoming blow with a perfectly timed block can turn the tide of battle, leaving your foe vulnerable to a devastating counterattack. However, not all attacks are created equal, and some weapons and maneuvers are simply immune to your parrying attempts. This article will delve into the intricacies of what you cannot parry in Elden Ring, ensuring you’re prepared for any encounter the Lands Between throws your way.

The core answer to what weapons you cannot parry in Elden Ring is this: you cannot parry attacks from whips and flails, as well as most two-handed colossal weapons, including their running, crouching, and standard attacks. This also includes jumping attacks which are unparriable in general. This is the bedrock of limitations in parrying for the game. While the game encourages parrying as a viable tactic, there are many attacks you must dodge or block instead of attempting to parry. The following article goes into more details.

The Unparryable Arsenal: A Detailed Breakdown

Understanding the mechanics behind what can’t be parried is just as vital as mastering the art of parrying itself. Here is a more detailed look at the specific weapon types, attacks, and enemies you’ll struggle to parry:

Colossal Weapons

Two-handed colossal weapons represent a major hurdle for parrying. Most attacks from these massive instruments of destruction, when wielded with two hands, are unparryable. This includes not only their standard attacks but also their running attacks, and crouching attacks. While single-handed colossal attacks are theoretically parriable, they are very difficult to time correctly due to their slow animations.

• Why? This limitation is likely in place to balance the incredible power these weapons possess. Allowing parries on these would severely diminish their threat.

Whips and Flails

Whips and flails are unique weapons with distinct mechanics. Both of these types of weapons deal damage through their length, and the specific motion cannot be parried.

• Whips: Whips cannot be parried at all. Additionally, whip attacks can still inflict damage even if a player is blocking. While not able to perform critical attacks, they’re usually paired with another weapon in the same hand.
• Flails: Similar to whips, flails also cannot be parried. Their attacks are slow but pack a punch. This means you will have to either dodge the swings, tank with a sturdy shield, or break the attack chain somehow.

Unparryable Attack Types

Certain attack types in Elden Ring are universally immune to parrying. Understanding these limitations is key to avoiding unnecessary risks:

• Jumping Attacks: All jumping attacks from enemies are impossible to parry. This includes all attack variations when the enemy character is in mid-air.
• Ranged Attacks: Standard arrows and bolts cannot be parried. These require a different approach, such as dodging, using a shield with high projectile negation, or utilizing the Storm Wall Ash of War.
• Shield Bash Attacks: These are attacks delivered when enemies use their shield to attack. They cannot be parried.
• Elemental Projectiles: Sorceries and Incantations (magic) are also not parryable. You must dodge or use other magic negation techniques.
• Animal Attacks: Most animal attacks such as those from bears, wolves, and other creatures cannot be parried. These attacks usually require movement or timely dodges.
• Giant Enemy Attacks: Attacks from exceptionally large enemies are typically unparryable as well.

Specific Enemy Exceptions and Nuances

It’s important to note that while there are consistent rules for what is unparryable, there are also instances where specific enemies, due to their attack animations, can be exceptions. For example, while many heavy attacks from large enemies can’t be parried, certain wind-ups or single-handed attacks may still be parriable, albeit risky due to timing.

• Night’s Cavalry: Surprisingly, the Night’s Cavalry’s attacks are entirely parryable. Despite their powerful-looking attacks, the proper timing can allow you to effectively parry them. This is an important detail to consider when fighting them.
• Tree Sentinel: Most of the Tree Sentinel’s attacks can be parried, specifically its Charging Attack and Leap Attack. It requires mastery of the timing of its particular attacks though.
• Blood Knight: The Blood Knight’s attack where it drags its claws on the ground can be parried on its first hit. This leaves the Knight open to stagger and heavy damage.
• Malenia: Despite being one of the toughest bosses, Malenia can be parried entirely, including the initial strikes in her Waterfowl Dance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about parrying mechanics in Elden Ring:

1. Can you parry everything?

No, you cannot parry everything in Elden Ring. As outlined above, specific weapon types, attack styles, and enemies have attacks that are immune to parrying.

2. What shields are best for parrying?

The Buckler is often cited as the best parry shield. This is because it has more forgiving parry timing compared to other shields. Medium shields can be effective too, balancing both defense and parry capabilities.

3. Can all swords parry?

Yes, most swords can parry. However, you must equip a shield or use a parry skill on a sword to do so, since a standard sword in your mainhand cannot parry.

4. Can you parry with the Brass Shield?

Yes, the Brass Shield can parry. It’s a good option if you want a balance between parrying and defense.

5. What are the startup and parry frames?

Parry skills generally have a set number of startup and active parry frames. On daggers, the standard Parry skill has 6 startup frames and 4 parry frames at 30 FPS. On medium shields, thrusting swords, curved swords, fists, and claws, it’s 6 startup frames and 2 parry frames.

6. Can you parry fist weapons?

Fists and claws can parry when using the Parry skill, offering a versatile parrying option.

7. Can you parry with katanas?

Katanas themselves cannot parry by default. However, you can use the Parry skill on a katana for parrying capabilities.

8. Can weapon skills be parried?

Weapon Skills themselves cannot be parried. You are usually parrying the attacks that come out from the use of the weapon skill, but not the skill activation animation itself.

9. Can you parry with Storm Wall?

Yes, the Storm Wall Ash of War can be used to deflect physical projectiles, as well as act as a regular parry skill.

10. How do you use weapon skills?

On a controller, press the left trigger or L2 button. On a keyboard, press Shift and Right Mouse Button simultaneously.

11. Can you use two weapon skills at once?

No, you can only use one weapon skill at a time. The selected skill will depend on the currently held armament.

12. Can you parry with a silver or black knight shield?

The Black Knight Shield can parry with a medium deflection and normal parry speed, while it has slightly less stability than the silver variant.

13. Can you parry mounted enemies?

Yes, you can parry some mounted enemies, such as the Night’s Cavalry, and Tree Sentinel though timing will be different.

14. What is the easiest parry in Elden Ring?

The Buckler shield makes for the easiest parry in the game due to its greater parry frame window.

15. Why are some attacks unparryable?

These unparryable attacks often come from colossal weapons or unique attack animations. This design choice creates a more balanced combat experience in the game.

Conclusion

Mastering the parry system in Elden Ring can be a game-changer. However, knowing what you can’t parry is equally important. By understanding these limitations and adapting your strategies accordingly, you’ll significantly enhance your chances of survival in the Lands Between. Remember to combine parrying with dodging, blocking, and strategic attacks to become a truly formidable Elden Ring player. The path to becoming Elden Lord requires knowledge, skill, and a healthy dose of caution. Now, armed with this comprehensive guide, you can face the challenges of Elden Ring with confidence.