Elden Ring gives players a number of ways to get a critical hit on enemies. From Guard Counters to Sleep Arrows, there are more ways to critically damage enemies in Elden Ring than in any other FromSoftware game. One method is as old as the Souls series itself: Parrying.
Parrying is a skill that requires near-perfect timing to riposte a strike with a shield (or certain weapons), leaving enemies open for a critical hit. Some of the best Souls players use the Parry mechanic to easily kill everything from low-level enemies to the games' hardest bosses. In Elden Ring, Parrying is performed much the same way as before, though there are some restrictions.
Parrying in Elden Ring vs Other FromSoftware Games
Parrying in Elden Ring is virtually identical to how it works in other FromSoftware games. If you've played Dark Souls 3, you probably already understand how this mechanic works. One important difference, though, is that the ability to Parry isn't necessarily imbued on every shield in the game.
The Ash of War system introduced in Elden Ring lets players change the special abilities that come with every weapon. There is an option to remove the Parry ability from shields altogether with an Ash of War. Most of the shields in the game have the ability to Parry, but it's not a guarantee.
How To Perform A Parry In Elden Ring
Parrying in Elden Ring can only be done with a shield equipped, and only on enemy melee martial attacks. You can't Parry an arrow being shot at you, nor can you parry Sorceries or Incantations. Just about every attack made with a weapon that connects physically with the player, though, can be Parried. When fighting a melee foe, watch their attack patterns and don't dodge away – instead, get ready to test your reflexes.
A fraction of a second before a hit connects, press the Strong Attack button on the hand holding your shield (typically LT or L2). If your timing is correct, your enemy's weapon will flail away, dealing no damage and staggering them. This lets you get in closer to score a Critical Hit, in this case, called a Riposte. Parrying is a very difficult maneuver to pull off for most players, so be sure to study enemy movements and be confident about your Parrying ability.
Elden Ring is available now for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S.