In the moon-drenched battlefields of Elden Ring Nightreign, parrying emerges as a dance of death where a fraction of a second separates glorious victory from crushing defeat. This elegant defensive art, carried over from the original Lands Between but refined with new mechanics, transforms ordinary warriors into untouchable specters when mastered. Players quickly discover that deflecting attacks isn't exclusive to the Executor class - any Nightfarer bearing the right shield can turn an enemy's aggression against them, though the path to proficiency resembles navigating a labyrinth blindfolded during an earthquake.

🛡️ Executing the Perfect Parry

To begin this perilous ballet, you'll need:

  1. A shield equipped with Parry Ash of War (avoid "No Skill" variants)

  2. Off-hand positioning (typically left hand)

  3. Precision timing (press L2/LT milliseconds before impact)

Successful parries ignite crimson sparks and stagger foes, creating openings for devastating ripostes. Remember: Only normal attacks trigger critical damage after staggering - heavy or charged strikes squander the opportunity. Like catching lightning in a bottle, the timing window is brutally narrow. Focus on enemy hand movements rather than weapons; initiate your parry as their strike begins descending toward you.

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Small shields, especially the Buckler, are ideal for beginners thanks to extended parry frames. For those preferring blades, the Parrying Dagger mirrors the Buckler's deflection properties.

⚔️ Attacks That Defy Deflection

Not all assaults yield to parries. Unparriable attacks include:

Attack Type Examples
Jump Attacks Beast of Night's aerial slams
Grab Moves Caligo's shadow tendrils
Colossal Weapon Strikes Gladius' two-handed cleavers
Unconventional Assaults Rat bites, shield bashes

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Some attacks require specific counters - Fell Omen's golden hammer demands Golden Parry, while sorceries need magical deflection arts. When in doubt, treat parrying like testing ice thickness: probe cautiously before committing.

🔁 Parry Varieties Explained

Six distinct parry types exist in Nightreign:

  1. Standard Parry - Basic deflection using small/medium shields

  2. 🌟 Buckler Parry - Wider frames with upward flick motion (Wylder's starter)

  3. Golden Parry - ⚡ FP-cost ranged deflection (counters Fell Omen)

  4. Storm Wall - ⚡ FP-cost projectile deflector (creates whirlwind)

  5. Thops's Barrier - Spell deflection without FP cost (cyan barrier)

  6. Carian Retaliation - Absorbs spells into homing glintblades

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❓ People Also Ask

  • Q: Which Nightfarer is best for learning parries?

A: Wylder - his Buckler Parry provides forgiving timing

  • Q: Can you parry during co-op?

A: Yes, but lag makes timing as unpredictable as a dying star's pulse

  • Q: Do parry skills work against Nightlords?

A: Partially - study each boss's move set like an archaeologist decoding hieroglyphs

💫 Closing the Circle

Mastering parrying transforms Nightreign's battlefields into lethal waltzes where every enemy lunge becomes an invitation for retaliation. While the journey demands patience comparable to sculpting marble with a feather, the reward is combat transcendence. As 2025's definitive parrying guide concludes, remember Wylder's Buckler remains the safest harbor in this storm - a silver key to unlocking the dance of blades that separates the fallen from the feared. In the end, a perfect parry sequence feels less like combat and more like conducting an orchestra where every note ends in annihilation.