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Mastering parrying in soulslike games: tips and tricks

Mastering Parrying | Gamers Share Tips to Tackle Timing and Technique Challenges

By

Ethan Price

Mar 24, 2026, 09:47 PM

Edited By

Marco Silva

Updated

Mar 25, 2026, 04:59 PM

2 minutes of duration

A gamer timing a parry against an enemy strike in a dark fantasy setting
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Gamers are buzzing across forums about the parrying mechanics in Soulslike games, sharing both victories and frustrations in mastering this combat skill. With anticipation for Sekiro, users discuss their experiences after tackling games like Demon Souls and Bloodborne without ever successfully parrying.

Navigating the Complexities of Parrying

One user admitted, "Iโ€™ve never once parried. I canโ€™t seem to do it. I spazz, and my timing is always off." Others echoed similar concerns, pondering whether failure stems from timing, a lack of understanding of mechanics, or simply needing more practice.

Unique Mechanics at Play

  1. Deflection vs. Parry: A common thread in discussions is the distinction between parrying and deflecting. One poster pointed out: "Parry requires mainly memorization, while deflection is reliant on reflexes." The difference influences how players approach combat in various games.

  2. Watching for Tells: Insights highlighted that effective parrying involves not just watching the enemy's attack but identifying the cues. "Allot of the time you should be watching the arm/hand" suggested one gamer, emphasizing that timing lies in observing the attack's prelude.

  3. Learning Through Simplicity: A suggestion emerged to start with the original Dark Souls, where enemies are more telegraphed. One user advised, "You can wait until you get one that suits you." This approach underscores the importance of timing with specific enemy patterns.

Parrying Techniques from the Community

Comments reveal varied techniques for players struggling with parries. A fellow gamer noted, "If you parry against a wall, it will make a spark. You want that spark timing to line up with when their attack lands," helping demystify the mechanics.

"Once you understand how the game's animation ties into parrying, it becomes clearer when to act."

A Community Growing Together

Despite their struggles, thereโ€™s unity among players as they share tactics and personal stories to enhance their skill sets. As one user put it, "No one started out a parry god. Itโ€™s just a nice skill to have in your tool belt." This sentiment reflects hope and determination within the community.

Noteworthy Insights

  • โ–ฝ Players emphasize a clear difference between parrying and deflecting.

  • โ–ณ Mastering tells can reduce the timing burden when parrying.

  • โ˜… "You can practice with a wall to refine your timing" โ€“ Top-voted tip.

The Path Ahead

As conversations continue, there's a belief more community-driven tutorials will pop up. Many are looking at Sekiro to set new standards for timing mechanics, potentially changing how players experience future Soulslike games.

In the end, gamers remain determined to transform their frustrations into successful parries. One user articulated the journey perfectly: "You can usually make it work without a perfect parry. It just feels great when you do!"

Players are hopeful that understanding the mechanics will lead to a more rewarding experience, enabling them to face tougher challenges with newfound confidence.