Bulwark Parry Question

[Dad]

I've been trying out all the classes and for some reason I just can't hit a parry as the Bulwark. Is it different, glitched, or something?

Edit: No I'm not trying to parry red attacks. What I'm getting is there's something different about the Bulwark parry, either a glitch, small parry window, or because the parry and block are tied to the same button. I'm not holding the button for long, just a quick tap. Personally after playing the class more my problem is that it feels like the parry registers only half the time or the animation is too slow to parry in a 1v2+. (Talking PvE)

[ImaCuttlefish]

Does the weapon you are using have a defence rating of block? If so thats probably why. Need balanced/fencing for perfect parries.

[Dad]

Originally posted by ImaCuttlefish:

Does the weapon you are using have a defence rating of block? If so thats probably why. Need balanced/fencing for perfect parries.

Sorry I should have worded it better. I meant I'll press the parry button but the parry just doesn't go through and I get hit. Dunno how to explain it really but it just feels off or delayed. It's totally fine on the other classes though.

[CptnSpandex]

Are you trying to block a red attack ?

[Static_Green]

Red attacks you can not block but can dodge them, blue ones you are able to.

[ShadowArcanist]

Originally posted by ImaCuttlefish:

Does the weapon you are using have a defence rating of block? If so thats probably why. Need balanced/fencing for perfect parries.

This but also because block and parry are on the same button sometimes if you hold the button too long it registers as a block. Double tapping helps some but just quick taps to avoid the blocking.

[Fenrir4life]

I'm actually seeing the same problem. Part of it is that with everything but Gaunts, you really need to wait until the animation has begun to start your parry, otherwise it'll whiff and you'll get chunked for half your health. This is to create a niche for the brutally-nerfed stats on the handful of weapon marks with the "fencing" defense style, which allows you to parry as soon as the indicator shows up.

Also, only some attack animations can be parry-canceled. There's no way to test this without inconveniencing an entire team, but overall, it seems like most light attacks can be canceled into a parry, and most heavy attacks cannot.

[Pand3moniuM]

Each weapon has a defining stat, these three stats are described as followed.
Block - No perfect parry window available
Balanced - Perfect parry window available but better timing is required &
Fencing - Perfect parry window available with a slightly more forgiving timing window

If you have a Block weapon on then you have better stat weights generally but lose the ability to perfect parry.

Bulwark also has the ability to hold up his shield (with the same button as parry), so you must make sure your not accidentally holding onto or miss timing the parry opportunity.

Not sure if this helps? - But generally answering your question... No I haven't noticed an issue with parrying with the Bulwark.

[Renegade Paragon]

Unfortunately, I can't help, but I can add my voice to this concern. I also feel like I get hit in situations that I normally wouldn't. I can't confirm there's anything wrong, but I definitely get what you're saying, and it only happens (for me) when playing the Bulwark.

I recently picked up Vanguard (and started playing on Substantial after clicking with it). I use a "balanced" defense-type knife and do well with it, so I like to think I understand the melee system reasonably well. With the Bulwark, however, I feel like a noob all over again, and I often get the feeling that I'm getting hit when I shouldn't be and I don't know where or how I'm messing it up. The feedback is a bit lacking in that respect.

[Ironslayer541]

This is not the first thread I have seen about this. I also think there might be something a bit wonky with this parry. I can parry everything just fine with the chainsword on any other class, but it seems like it doesn't work about a quarter of the time when playing bulwark. Like he does the animation to block it but it just hits him anyway.

[Malakith`4f]

Got the same happening, seems to be something with the shield. Parrying fodder is fine, but for some reason it won't actually parry anything bigger.

[.___COAST___.]

Originally posted by ShadowArcanist:

Originally posted by ImaCuttlefish:

Does the weapon you are using have a defence rating of block? If so thats probably why. Need balanced/fencing for perfect parries.

This but also because block and parry are on the same button sometimes if you hold the button too long it registers as a block. Double tapping helps some but just quick taps to avoid the blocking.

Adding to this, because both are on a single button, I believe there is some level of priority built in. When there are ranged units included in the mob you are facing, the game may prioritize block or parry. This could also be the case most of the time as well even without ranged units, given how inconsistent parry feels sometimes.

[Sifer2]

It's because bulwark parry/block is the same button and if you do anything but lightly feather tap the button it blocks. And because devs are crazy block won't even block parry attacks.

[.___COAST___.]

Originally posted by .___COAST___.:

Originally posted by ShadowArcanist:

This but also because block and parry are on the same button sometimes if you hold the button too long it registers as a block. Double tapping helps some but just quick taps to avoid the blocking.

Adding to this, because both are on a single button, I believe there is some level of priority built in. When there are ranged units included in the mob you are facing, the game may prioritize block or parry. This could also be the case most of the time as well even without ranged units, given how inconsistent parry feels sometimes.

After further review and testing, the parry is working fine, just needed to practice the timing more. Go to the first trial and kill all the enemies except for the Tyranid Warrior (the big melee unit). Just use the Plasma Pistol and snipe the range units right away as they spawn in the beginning with a charged shot. Also let your brother get knocked and you have infinite practice time essentially.

For normal attacks, you need to press Parry pretty much as soon as the Warrior starts their attack. It will time up with the actual swing of your blade. For Blue parry windows, wait slightly, because the Warrior is actually charging their attack, then press parry as they are about to lunge. Alternatively you can just block that attack if you feel you are late. But if you get hit you will stagger and also get hit by anything else attacking you while you are vulnerable.

After you get that down, practice fighting the Warrior with all of the minions with him. Here is a tip. Do not worry about the little guys at all. Hold block and ignore them, only focusing on the Warrior. Take any Blue parry windows they give you but otherwise keep your eyes trained on the Warrior and fight him. They actually don't do any damage while you are blocking unless you get staggered by something. Shield Bash them to make space when able, but be warned you will get hit by the warrior if you Bash at the wrong time during his attack. You can also bash his normal hits as well and counter them with the same Parry timing.

[CptnSpandex]

Bulwark out of all 6 classes has the smallest parry window by the way, so either you are trying to parry red attacks or your timing is way off.

[Ironslayer541]

Originally posted by CptnSpandex:

Bulwark out of all 6 classes has the smallest parry window by the way, so either you are trying to parry red attacks or your timing is way off.

Smallest means the worst. Which when you think about it doesn't really make sense for a guy with a shield. You would think he would have the 2nd highest parry window behind vanguard with his talent. But if what you say is true that means bulwark has the worst parry in the game despite being a melee class.