Table of Contents
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Dark Souls 3 How To Parry
How To Parry Using A Shield
Parrying an opponent with a shield equipped consists of 4 parts. The opponent’s initiating the attack is the first step. When you notice the flick regarding the enemy’s attack landing on your character, immediately press L2/LT (The keybind to parry). After which, you would notice that the opponent has entered a stun animation, indicating that you have successfully parried the incoming attack.
The next part is launching the counterattack by pressing the R1/RB for a successful Riposte. This is a special attack and is only used after you have successfully parried an opponent. Also worth noting during this part is that you are entirely immune while riposting. So do not be hesitate when you get the chance to strike back after successfully parrying the enemy.
You can do this parry with a medium shield easily, so not doing it with a light shield is out of the question. Keep in mind that you cannot parry an attack by equipping a great shield.
Dark Souls 3 Shields That Can Parry
- Buckler
- Red and White Shield
- Elkhorn Round Shield
- Target Shield
- Iron Round Shield
- Hawkwood’s Shield
- Caduceus Round Shield
- Crimson Parma
- Leather Shield
- Sacred Bloom Shield (can also Spell Parry)
- Small Leather Shield
- Llewellyn Shield
- Golden Falcon Shield
- Sunset Shield
- Kite Shield
- Crest Shield
- Grass Crest Shield
- Dragon Crest Shield
- East-West Shield
- Blue Wooden Shield
- Knight Shield
- Silver Knight Shield
- Spirit Tree Crest Shield
- Golden Wing Crest Shield
- Large Leather Shield
- Wooden Shield
- Lothric Knight Shield
- Sunlight Shield
- Carthus Shield
- Round Shield
How To Parry Without A Shield
Besides shields, there are weapons that you can use to parry. Primarily, these weapons come from light weapon categories such as the Parrying Dagger, the Dagger, Katanas, etc. Moreover, you can also use fist-based weapons such as the Caestus and even parry bare-handed.
Likewise, the method of parrying an opponent without a shield remains the same. While using fist weapons, make sure you do not parry too early, as it would result in you taking some damage. The same goes for parrying bare-handed. Not only do you take a lot of damage, but you also lose a significant proportion of stamina, so make sure to time it correctly.
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Weapons That Can Parry
Name of Weapon | Method To Parry |
Katanas | Can parry while using Hold |
Caestus | Can parry from left hand |
Demon’s Fist | Can parry from left hand |
Claw | Can parry from left hand |
Crow Talons | Can parry from left hand |
Manikin Claws | Can parry from left hand |
Rapier | Can parry from left hand |
Scimitar | Can parry from left hand |
Farron Greatsword | Can parry while two-handed or using a shield with Weapon Skill |
Parrying Dagger | Can parry from either hand |
Shotel | Can parry from either hand |
Scimitar | Can parry from left hand |
Sellsword Twinblades | Can parry from left hand |
Pontiff Knight Curved Sword | Can parry from left hand |
Painting Guardian’s Curved Sword | Can parry from left hand |
Rotten Ghru Curved Sword | Can parry from left hand |
Dark Souls 3 How To Parry In PvE
Parrying in PvE is much easier than Parrying in PvP. However, underestimating the parrying mechanics while engaging in PvE combat can prove disastrous. Some NPCs and bosses such as Pontiff Sulyvahn or Champion Gundyr require micro-second level perfection to parry them. It is why parrying these bosses is immensely challenging, and arguably, they are even hard to parry compared to fights in PvP modes.
You can pretty much estimate when to press your L2/LT to parry the attack just by listening to the sound of it. When you hear the enemies’ attack’s swoosh, give it a 0.5-second break and then press L2/LT. The 0.5 second is just to be on the safe side and not parry too early.
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While playing against the AI in
Bosses That Can Be Parried
- Iudex GundyrAbyss Watchers
- Crystal Sage
- Deacons of the Deep
- Pontiff Sulyvahn
- Champion Gundyr
- Dragonslayer Armour (You can’t riposte)
- Lorian, Elder Prince (You can’t Riposte)
- Lothric, Younger Prince (Spell Parry)
- Champion’s Gravetender
- Sister Friede
- Halflight, Spear of the Church
Dark Souls 3 How To Parry In PvP
However, that is not the case while playing PvP. An online opponent uses a great variety of weapons, skills and other combinations in combat, which makes knowing an enemy’s next move an impossible task. So, it would take you a great deal of time to master every weapon. This is probably why parrying in PvE is relatively much easier than in PvP.
That is pretty much everything you need to know about
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