Help with parry timing

[pretorian]

NOTE: this is about PVE parrying timing. I'm NOT interested in PVP parrying (yet) so I'm NOT concerned with network lag and such.

So I'm finding parry in DS2 very hard. I've pretty much gotten the hang of it in DS 1 and 3 but can't really get it in 2. Now I'm farming som Giant seeds while trying to learn parrying (with Royal Kite Shield) against Armorer Dennis. He attacks rather fast and I have yet to be able to parry him a single time. I don't even know if I parry too early or too late. He seems to wield a longsword and is very fast so there isn't really any wind up time to look out for.

So basically, when should you presse the parry button? At the start of the attack, mid air or right before he hits you?

[Jouni]

Startup and parry frames of the weapon or shield you use for parrying can be found here:
http://darksouls2.wikidot.com/parry (but it may not be completely reliable)

Good enemies to practice against are in my opinion: Heide Knights, Falconers, Syan Knights, Drakeblood Knights, Pursuer. Worst enemies for that are those that have long windup followed by lightning fast attack.

Practise against those until you have the startup and parry windows in muscle memory.

[TrueArchery]

Medium shields aren't good at parrying. Check out the wikidot /parry page for frames and such, then you get a better idea of how it works.

[Bonkers]

Note that the parry frames in this game don't start immediately.

[Salok]

Parrying in Dark Souls 2 requires alot more planning when it comes to Dark Souls 1. The best tool for parrying would be the buckler, you can have a very clear idea of when the parry frames actually start. Now the best target to train that on would be, in my opinion, the Syan Knights wielding halberds (like the one in Huntsman Copse).

[Shpeed Buscemi]

Originally posted by Salok:

Parrying in Dark Souls 2 requires alot more planning when it comes to Dark Souls 1. The best tool for parrying would be the buckler, you can have a very clear idea of when the parry frames actually start. Now the best target to train that on would be, in my opinion, the Syan Knights wielding halberds (like the one in Huntsman Copse).

Wow. I came here to say exactly this statement. Syan Knights are by far the best thing to learn parries on.

[BAS1FUK]

I've read a tip once that helped me, maybe it'll be useful to you too: focus on the arm, not the weapon of the attacker. When the arm starts to swing towards you, activate the parry.

That tip was for DS1, to be honest. It has worked for me... to a certain point.

[Scaredy Cat]

Originally posted by Heraclito:

I've read a tip once that helped me, maybe it'll be useful to you too: focus on the arm, not the weapon of the attacker. When the arm starts to swing towards you, activate the parry.

That tip was for DS1, to be honest. It has worked for me... to a certain point.

Ds1 you could hit parry the moment the blade hit you and you would get the parry. In ds2 there is a delay, so you have to predict when the blade will hit you. Therefore you have to be really sure which attack is coming before you parry, since an attack slower or quicker than the one you expect will definitely hit you.
Also, i pve in ds2 parries are really not worth the effort. In ds1 yes, since they were quite easy, in ds2? Definitely not.

Its a different story for pvp though.

[Irre Parabel]

Originally posted by Cool:

Originally posted by Salok:

Parrying in Dark Souls 2 requires alot more planning when it comes to Dark Souls 1. The best tool for parrying would be the buckler, you can have a very clear idea of when the parry frames actually start. Now the best target to train that on would be, in my opinion, the Syan Knights wielding halberds (like the one in Huntsman Copse).

Wow. I came here to say exactly this statement. Syan Knights are by far the best thing to learn parries on.

just wanna add that imo for training the hollow soldiers are better. no run to them, don´t hit hard, have different timings as well...syan is kinda tricky for a beginner cuz he delaaaays sooo muuch.
but to each his own..

@OP might wanna try a small shield (f.E. iron parma)

[pretorian]

Thanks for the responses. Gave up on medium shield and switched to buckler/parry dagger at it was light years in difference.

[Scaredy Cat]

Originally posted by pretorian.stalker:

Thanks for the responses. Gave up on medium shield and switched to buckler/parry dagger at it was light years in difference.

If you also want an offhand weapon, the rapier has good parry frames and can still be uused as a viable weapon.

[Gigolo]

Look, I was practicing with PVE, apparently it's easier with the '' little '' shields, but only those who have the '' Buckler '' animation, it fits the reflex of clicking before ... a I find it easier, I think the best place to try is against the knights of Lloyce, before the king of ivory...
Later I realized, to do parry if the goal is not to touch ... there to dodge better, the good thing is that you get used to not use shield to block ... forces you to play better, that was My result, I am now rank 3 of the blood brotherhood and I do not do a parry ever (google translate >:/ )

[Janthis]

For PvE it's also worthwhile to learn which enemies can be parried and which cannot, because it's not always obvious. Can't remember them offhand, but there are lists floating around.

But I agree with Scaredy Cat that parrying in DS2 PvE, while occasionally fun, is at best an unreliable gamble.

[Jouni]

Originally posted by ionutz1280:

For PvE it's also worthwhile to learn which enemies can be parried and which cannot

All human-like enemies can be parried except Lindelt Clerics for some reason. Almost all monsters are unparriable.

[ARingMaker]

Originally posted by ionutz1280:

But I agree with Scaredy Cat that parrying in DS2 PvE, while occasionally fun, is at best an unreliable gamble.

in PVE parrying is only an unreliable gamble for the unskilled... its too easy once you know what your doing and what to do it with. they commit, you counter.

you can walk through your first playthrough and the DLC's not including the boss fights with a simple buckler and dagger under 100k easy... simply by parrying and punishing or rolling and backstabing.

anyone with decent moveset and muscle memory, should agree...

in PVE parrying is too easy and not somewhat of a gamble like it is in PVP...

[Scaredy Cat]

Originally posted by ARingMaker:

Originally posted by ionutz1280:

But I agree with Scaredy Cat that parrying in DS2 PvE, while occasionally fun, is at best an unreliable gamble.

in PVE parrying is only an unreliable gamble for the unskilled... its too easy once you know what your doing and what to do it with. they commit, you counter.

you can walk through your first playthrough and the DLC's not including the boss fights with a simple buckler and dagger under 100k easy... simply by parrying and punishing or rolling and backstabing.

anyone with decent moveset and muscle memory, should agree...

in PVE parrying is too easy and not somewhat of a gamble like it is in PVP...

Oh it can be done, no doubt. There are just so many better ways to deal with opponents.