Does anyone have tips on how to practice Parry? [Currently at DLC2]

[Will]

I'm not a skillful player by any means but I'm at a stage now where I want to see if I can get better at Parrying.

I played through the game twice mostly using soul shield and sometimes block. I just can't figure out how to parry correctly with the timing.

Case in point, I am just using the 2nd mission pirate boss as practice as he's one of the easier bosses. I got slaughtered 20 times.

I've seen BenTheSoda with his video showing how he managed to own Tiamat with an extremely simple Samurai build and I have no idea how he did it.

[Katitoff]

1 top from me.
Play as Knight.

That's it. No other class encourages parry as this one and you'll learn to use it in no time.

[Griever]

Is parry the soul shield at the right time?
If yes, tbh it's just learning about the boss moves.

Death machine is an example. Had to really learn all the moves and to parry them, or you get slaughtered.

[⭕TheSodaman]

Originally posted by Will:

I'm not a skillful player by any means but I'm at a stage now where I want to see if I can get better at Parrying.

I played through the game twice mostly using soul shield and sometimes block. I just can't figure out how to parry correctly with the timing.

Case in point, I am just using the 2nd mission pirate boss as practice as he's one of the easier bosses. I got slaughtered 20 times.

I've seen BenTheSoda with his video showing how he managed to own Tiamat with an extremely simple Samurai build and I have no idea how he did it.

It may vary from weapon to weapon.

Where the greatsword can hold charged attack, then guard, and parry for up to 5 seconds. This also functions after a Spinning Slash where instead of doing the final hit, you guard instead and can parry for 5 seconds. The other moves like Retribution, Wild Fang, Hound's Claw, and 10,000 G's can be great for parrying too.

With sword, the combo ability, Shield Thrust, let's you hold it to parry (and trigger parry off the first attack that hits). But this costs 100 MP. And then a little trickier, the Shield Charge on the 3rd link.

The mace is a little trickier, where you can hold guard, then just as you're getting hit, press Away + Normal Attack to initiate a rear attack link parry. Haven't tried the shield move(s) in some time to see if they can.

And then the katana being trickier overall. Whether you're using the Garo combo ability to enter Senshin Stance and a very, very narrow window to parry with a Senshin Stance attack.

And then with any of the above, but moreso Senshin Stance, having Liberator 120% (50% and 120%) and the Samurai job action's Meikyou Shisui can further extend the parrying window. Throwing in things like Lunatic can also help Senshin Stance tighten the frequency of parries you execute. And then Haste and Dragoon 400% during Lightbringer giving you such frequency on the parry that the enemy has a narrow window to hit you. Hissashi Murakumo available late in the 2nd DLC can also be strung together to help with this.

There are some other methods I'm probably forgetting at this point.

But would say any time you might narrowly be dodging could turn into a guard just in time to do a parry. The exception being Senshin Stance that has a different timing and can take a while to adjust per boss or enemy.

[Will]

Thanks everyone. I realised just how sparse was my description when I was asking for tips, reading my own post again it sounded more like myself lamenting about it.

I screwed up big time.

Turns out, I wasn't even parrying at all.

Now in my lousy defence, I had the impression that Senshin Stance made it so that every attack was a parry. That isn't true, ONLY normal attacks parry. So whipping out all the combo attacks and failing to parry countless times in a row and dying to the pirate boss all the time got me frustrated.


"Man, I can soul shield those attacks without any problems what the heck is wrong with me? I can't even parry a single blow!"

I've even set Liberator 120 for more parry window etc.

So yeah...now that I finally figured out that parry in this game isn't anywhere as tight as Elden Ring parry, there's a heck lot to practice now on all the various monster attacks.

[Will]

Originally posted by ⭕TheSodaman:

Where the greatsword can hold charged attack, then guard, and parry for up to 5 seconds. This also functions after a Spinning Slash where instead of doing the final hit, you guard instead and can parry for 5 seconds. The other moves like Retribution, Wild Fang, Hound's Claw, and 10,000 G's can be great for parrying too.

With sword, the combo ability, Shield Thrust, let's you hold it to parry (and trigger parry off the first attack that hits). But this costs 100 MP. And then a little trickier, the Shield Charge on the 3rd link.

Thanks Ben!
Man, there are so many additional ways to parry in addition to the default "block right when enemy attack is about to hit"! I thought Katana Senshin was pretty much the only other "respond" method...

I had the impression that the Greatsword could do the enhanced guard [Hold attack and then hold block] which made it treat this guard as a "perma parry" guard. This single super block helped me out so many times when I first started the game and got stuck at some bosses.

So just to clarify...this only lasts 5 seconds??? Because I can hold that enhanced guard for as long as I want assuming my HP/BGuage doesn't hit zero.

[Will]

Originally posted by Griever:

Is parry the soul shield at the right time?
If yes, tbh it's just learning about the boss moves.

Death machine is an example. Had to really learn all the moves and to parry them, or you get slaughtered.

Soul shielding isn't Parry. Parry is blocking right before the enemy attack hits you.
SShield eats your soul guage, Parry apparently fills it up.

I couldn't SShield the DMachine for nuts though, that monster obliterated my poor gauge in one or two hits I could withstand 4 at most when taking job swap into account. And it doesn't let up its attacks...Just keeps hammering you non-stop. *ouch*

Getting stuck at DMachine for a whole week was pretty much the reason why I wanted to start looking for alternative means to kill it. [Without using EXTRA Casual mode]

"Hey, maybe I could Parry that thing so my gauge doesn't get wrecked"

LOL

What a can of worms I've opened up.

[Griever]

Originally posted by Will:

Soul shielding isn't Parry. Parry is blocking right before the enemy attack hits you.
SShield eats your soul guage, Parry apparently fills it up.

I couldn't SShield the DMachine for nuts though, that monster obliterated my poor gauge in one or two hits I could withstand 4 at most when taking job swap into account. And it doesn't let up its attacks...Just keeps hammering you non-stop. *ouch*

Getting stuck at DMachine for a whole week was pretty much the reason why I wanted to start looking for alternative means to kill it. [Without using EXTRA Casual mode]

"Hey, maybe I could Parry that thing so my gauge doesn't get wrecked"

LOL

What a can of worms I've opened up.

Yeah...I realised parry is something different. Seems hard to pull off tbh, especially with the DLC bosses who go kind of crazy.

Death machine is crazy. Phase 1 I learned by heart entirely (know all the moves) and I destroy it easily. But phase 2 is just too much, especially the big kill move it has, or when it goes crazy and just keeps attacking like a wild dog.

I'm scared of the Lufenia bosses if Death Machine is that hard. Death Machine & Gilgamesh I can beat but it's kind of my skill limit. Man I want to 100% platinum that game so much but I fear DLC 3 is going to destroy me.

I'm at rift depth 25 and struggling to get to 30 lol...

Tbh I don't think this game will get easier with parry. I think gilgamesh & lufenia difficulty is all about builds and gear so you run through the bosses like a hot knife through butter.

Currently am Berserker level 230 and Sage level 230...but damn it's hard. The speed of the bosses especially, how they allow you a couple hits before attacking only. Kraken on Gilgamesh difficulty is crazy lol...

[(⌐■_■)]

1) play as knight (because of shockwave ability on succesfull parry/block)
2)have gear that has liberator affinity (it is around 200% i guess? ; you get an increased parry window)

In general: Before you get hit press block, if timed right there is a blue glow around you.
Pretty useful on hard mode, destroys everything while being very safe

Not that useful on chaos mode and onwards imo, maybe i just built it wrong *shrug

Originally posted by Griever:

Originally posted by Will:

Soul shielding isn't Parry. Parry is blocking right before the enemy attack hits you.
SShield eats your soul guage, Parry apparently fills it up.

I couldn't SShield the DMachine for nuts though, that monster obliterated my poor gauge in one or two hits I could withstand 4 at most when taking job swap into account. And it doesn't let up its attacks...Just keeps hammering you non-stop. *ouch*

Getting stuck at DMachine for a whole week was pretty much the reason why I wanted to start looking for alternative means to kill it. [Without using EXTRA Casual mode]

"Hey, maybe I could Parry that thing so my gauge doesn't get wrecked"

LOL

What a can of worms I've opened up.

Yeah...I realised parry is something different. Seems hard to pull off tbh, especially with the DLC bosses who go kind of crazy.

Death machine is crazy. Phase 1 I learned by heart entirely (know all the moves) and I destroy it easily. But phase 2 is just too much, especially the big kill move it has, or when it goes crazy and just keeps attacking like a wild dog.

I'm scared of the Lufenia bosses if Death Machine is that hard. Death Machine & Gilgamesh I can beat but it's kind of my skill limit. Man I want to 100% platinum that game so much but I fear DLC 3 is going to destroy me.

I'm at rift depth 25 and struggling to get to 30 lol...

Tbh I don't think this game will get easier with parry. I think gilgamesh & lufenia difficulty is all about builds and gear so you run through the bosses like a hot knife through butter.

Currently am Berserker level 230 and Sage level 230...but damn it's hard. The speed of the bosses especially, how they allow you a couple hits before attacking only. Kraken on Gilgamesh difficulty is crazy lol...

1) If you completed DLC2 go to DLC3 lufenia difficulty
2) select mount hollow (zombie dragon mountain) side mission (marlboro is boss)
3) crank the diffucluty modifier up until blue rewards appear on screen, i think going to level 160+ is enough, not quite sure)
4)select berserker because of ability, 2nd class as thief bc of increased drop rate
5)collect key run to marlboro boss (enemies 1-shot you tho XD)
6)run through boss gate, activate ability (while active it staggers even low bosses like marlboro AND it replenishes through normal attacks)
7) Slowly punch your way through henta1 boss, make sure spam light attacks to disrupt to build up MP, it easier with cyclic warrior at 400%, use chaosbringer with buff duration on max, use cyclone axe attack for more dps, now repeat until its dead
8) switch to thief after boss becomes soul-burstable
9) profit: you get blue gear, that means it has always a summon blessing -> ifrit (?) applies a vuln debuff; also those stats are insane and high affinity too

When i did thiss i was only getting Mark I-III bonuses on gear tho, i was just after DMachine too and thus low floor level. if you climb floors the higher the Mark ranking I-X goes. Climbing floors with new gear is way easier and recommendable, make sure to set your goal on a broken build tho as you will need it in DLC3

In my case i first replicated all main gear just in case i need those affinites again later on, then i switched all bonuses+affinity to the new gear.
THis is a very time consuming aspect tho but very satisfying if its finished, if you want to cpmplete DLC3 earlier and save your time for other stuff:
1)get 400% knight affinity
2)use extra mode (cant be used with modifiers)
3) you are now immortal
4)spam overpower ability as none of your weapons deal any respectable damage to any boss
5) have fun :)

[Kriss Hietala]

I don't know what this game even considers a parry. Tried normal block on greatsword, tried soul guard.

[(⌐■_■)]

Originally posted by Kriss Hietala:

I don't know what this game even considers a parry. Tried normal block on greatsword, tried soul guard.

press block just before enemy hits you, you see a blue glow if done right

[Kriss Hietala]

i've tried. but when I've used RT after the parry it didn't launch the attack configured as after parry.

[(⌐■_■)]

Originally posted by Kriss Hietala:

i've tried. but when I've used RT after the parry it didn't launch the attack configured as after parry.

after nearly 90 hours i have never managed to do this myself aswell XD

[Griever]

Originally posted by (⌐■_■):

1) play as knight (because of shockwave ability on succesfull parry/block)
2)have gear that has liberator affinity (it is around 200% i guess? ; you get an increased parry window)

In general: Before you get hit press block, if timed right there is a blue glow around you.
Pretty useful on hard mode, destroys everything while being very safe

Not that useful on chaos mode and onwards imo, maybe i just built it wrong *shrug

Originally posted by Griever:

Yeah...I realised parry is something different. Seems hard to pull off tbh, especially with the DLC bosses who go kind of crazy.

Death machine is crazy. Phase 1 I learned by heart entirely (know all the moves) and I destroy it easily. But phase 2 is just too much, especially the big kill move it has, or when it goes crazy and just keeps attacking like a wild dog.

I'm scared of the Lufenia bosses if Death Machine is that hard. Death Machine & Gilgamesh I can beat but it's kind of my skill limit. Man I want to 100% platinum that game so much but I fear DLC 3 is going to destroy me.

I'm at rift depth 25 and struggling to get to 30 lol...

Tbh I don't think this game will get easier with parry. I think gilgamesh & lufenia difficulty is all about builds and gear so you run through the bosses like a hot knife through butter.

Currently am Berserker level 230 and Sage level 230...but damn it's hard. The speed of the bosses especially, how they allow you a couple hits before attacking only. Kraken on Gilgamesh difficulty is crazy lol...

1) If you completed DLC2 go to DLC3 lufenia difficulty
2) select mount hollow (zombie dragon mountain) side mission (marlboro is boss)
3) crank the diffucluty modifier up until blue rewards appear on screen, i think going to level 160+ is enough, not quite sure)
4)select berserker because of ability, 2nd class as thief bc of increased drop rate
5)collect key run to marlboro boss (enemies 1-shot you tho XD)
6)run through boss gate, activate ability (while active it staggers even low bosses like marlboro AND it replenishes through normal attacks)
7) Slowly punch your way through henta1 boss, make sure spam light attacks to disrupt to build up MP, it easier with cyclic warrior at 400%, use chaosbringer with buff duration on max, use cyclone axe attack for more dps, now repeat until its dead
8) switch to thief after boss becomes soul-burstable
9) profit: you get blue gear, that means it has always a summon blessing -> ifrit (?) applies a vuln debuff; also those stats are insane and high affinity too

When i did thiss i was only getting Mark I-III bonuses on gear tho, i was just after DMachine too and thus low floor level. if you climb floors the higher the Mark ranking I-X goes. Climbing floors with new gear is way easier and recommendable, make sure to set your goal on a broken build tho as you will need it in DLC3

In my case i first replicated all main gear just in case i need those affinites again later on, then i switched all bonuses+affinity to the new gear.
THis is a very time consuming aspect tho but very satisfying if its finished, if you want to cpmplete DLC3 earlier and save your time for other stuff:
1)get 400% knight affinity
2)use extra mode (cant be used with modifiers)
3) you are now immortal
4)spam overpower ability as none of your weapons deal any respectable damage to any boss
5) have fun :)

Thanks a lot for this detailed reply.
Will save the post so I remember it if needed as I progress.

[(⌐■_■)]

Originally posted by Griever:

Originally posted by (⌐■_■):

1) play as knight (because of shockwave ability on succesfull parry/block)
2)have gear that has liberator affinity (it is around 200% i guess? ; you get an increased parry window)

In general: Before you get hit press block, if timed right there is a blue glow around you.
Pretty useful on hard mode, destroys everything while being very safe

Not that useful on chaos mode and onwards imo, maybe i just built it wrong *shrug





1) If you completed DLC2 go to DLC3 lufenia difficulty
2) select mount hollow (zombie dragon mountain) side mission (marlboro is boss)
3) crank the diffucluty modifier up until blue rewards appear on screen, i think going to level 160+ is enough, not quite sure)
4)select berserker because of ability, 2nd class as thief bc of increased drop rate
5)collect key run to marlboro boss (enemies 1-shot you tho XD)
6)run through boss gate, activate ability (while active it staggers even low bosses like marlboro AND it replenishes through normal attacks)
7) Slowly punch your way through henta1 boss, make sure spam light attacks to disrupt to build up MP, it easier with cyclic warrior at 400%, use chaosbringer with buff duration on max, use cyclone axe attack for more dps, now repeat until its dead
8) switch to thief after boss becomes soul-burstable
9) profit: you get blue gear, that means it has always a summon blessing -> ifrit (?) applies a vuln debuff; also those stats are insane and high affinity too

When i did thiss i was only getting Mark I-III bonuses on gear tho, i was just after DMachine too and thus low floor level. if you climb floors the higher the Mark ranking I-X goes. Climbing floors with new gear is way easier and recommendable, make sure to set your goal on a broken build tho as you will need it in DLC3

In my case i first replicated all main gear just in case i need those affinites again later on, then i switched all bonuses+affinity to the new gear.
THis is a very time consuming aspect tho but very satisfying if its finished, if you want to cpmplete DLC3 earlier and save your time for other stuff:
1)get 400% knight affinity
2)use extra mode (cant be used with modifiers)
3) you are now immortal
4)spam overpower ability as none of your weapons deal any respectable damage to any boss
5) have fun :)

Thanks a lot for this detailed reply.
Will save the post so I remember it if needed as I progress.

If you want you can add me to kill marlboro faster(srsly it takes like 6 minutes of light attack spam xD). i think the difficulty modifier still applies in coop

[Griever]

Originally posted by (⌐■_■):

If you want you can add me to kill marlboro faster(srsly it takes like 6 minutes of light attack spam xD). i think the difficulty modifier still applies in coop

Thanks for the help bro, but I'm unfortunately on console :)
Currently grinding that Hallowed Massif Marlboro gear, I can actually kill it pretty easily myself because my Berserker build is pretty high DPS. I'm gonna check after if I can handle Omega, which is giving me huge trouble before.

With Omega, I kind of "cheat" by using the Gilgamesh monster bells which do some heavy damage. But I always get destroyed in phase 2 against the tall spellcasting monster. I'm gonna give it more tries with that crazy gear from hallowed massif. But if it keeps destroying me I think I'm gonna give up and try the extra mode.

I think Omega and the other boss in phase 2 are the hardest bosses I ever played in a videogame. Even death machine and Emperor felt easier.