Difference between Deflect and Parry?

[Requin des bois]

Is there any? Do do I choose to deflect or parry? To me, it seems to press L1 just before being hit...

Also, should I input direction when facing multiple enemies, for that said deflect/parry move?

[Corey]

It's explained in the dojo training/tutorial course. Deflect and Parry are basically the same, the game calls it differently though, it is a bit strange. So Deflect is when you successfully "parry" the enemy's first and/or second attack (but the enemy will still follow up with a next attack), and Parry is when you successfully "parry" the enemy's last attack that will stop him/her from attacking and leave him/her open for a counter-attack.
My advice, hop into the dojo tutorial course and the game will explain you there. You don't have to worry about it though, basically pressing L1 is Parry in a traditional sense :)

[Still]

Parry should stun them or make them drop something whereas deflect only blocks and also fills up your meter that can make you fall. If you deflect, they can still follow up with more strikes. If you parry, I believe they stop attacking and you get a moment to strike. Parrys also don't damage your structure meter thing. I have played for about 5 hours as of writing this so I'm probably a bit wrong. You're welcome.

[Wormerine]

It's pretty much the same thing, but only certain moves can be parried opening enemy for special counterattack.

[JAG]

Much like posts #1 and #2 mentioned, it's a slight difference in function (although I disagree with #1 saying that they're "basically the same").

If you've timed your block, but the enemy is still continuing their string, that's a deflect. If they got interrupted, that's a parry. Both are accomplished with the same input, but they happen under different circumstances (only specific parts of specific attacks can be parried).

[SeeNoWeevil]

Some moves basically have a hidden parryable property (often the last hit in the string). If you deflect these moves they become a parry, which basically then gives you a small window to either throw them or do a light/heavy attack that stuns them (you need to be quite quick here, you know it worked as you get a special attack and the enemy has a blur outline)

[vukotlak]

You block by holding L1.

You deflect by pressing L1 at the right moment. This will make the enemy loose pose and you will not lose pose.

As the dude above rightly said not all deflect will lead to a parry.

The superman punch for example will not be a parry unless the enemy has already such low pose that he will be stunned.

Deflect is often the better option instead of dodging cause it does great pose damage.

[Esthetic]

deflect: when you deflect you hit pose damage to the opponent, but also you get pose damage aswell. not as much as the opponent.

dodge: if you dodge the every attack of the combo you get an opening to hit your oppenent. it's the most satisfying moments of the overall combats imo. dodging makes your pose lower. right times are if your pose close to break and undeflectable attacks(glowing arms) .

[Aquatic Mammal On Bicycle]

As usual several comments have no idea what they're talking about.

[Zwek]

it's simple, it's a deflection when the enemy is in the middle of his combo, it becomes a parry when it's his last or only move, but it's still the same button.