Blocking is a basic skill in Avowed, but parrying isn’t available by default. It requires unlocking a perk in the Ranger ability tree before you can attempt precise, timed blocks. Like any parry mechanic, it comes with a learning curve, but the payoff is well worth the effort. For those who enjoy a bulwark playstyle, parrying remains a core mechanic throughout the game. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to parry effectively in Avowed.
How You Can Unlock Parry in Avowed
To perform a Parry in Avowed, you must first unlock the skill. Open the Abilities tab and navigate to the Ranger Class section. Find Parry under Level 1, and invest a skill point to activate it. Once unlocked, you’ll be able to use Parry in combat.
To enhance Parry’s effectiveness, you can invest more skill points to rank it up. At Rank 2, its efficiency improves by 25%, and it delivers a stronger stun on a successful parry. Rank 3 boosts efficiency by 50% and applies an even greater stun.
Pairing Parry with other abilities can make it even more powerful. The “Arrow Deflection” ability in the Ranger skill tree lets you deflect arrows and projectiles, not just melee attacks. Meanwhile, the “Reflect” ability in the Fighter skill tree sends those projectiles back at the attacker.
Why Should You Go With Parrying Attacks in Avowed?
Parrying offers several advantages over regular blocking, making it a valuable tool for surviving battles. Parrying can stagger even the toughest enemies and bosses.
A successful parry consumes no stamina and completely negates any resource damage from the incoming attack. It also grants a brief window of invulnerability to melee damage, lasting through the slowdown effect that follows.
When combined with a Counterattack, parrying delivers a huge amount of Stun to an enemy—on par with a fully charged Power Attack.
Another benefit of parrying in Avowed is that it helps build up your poise meter. Successfully parrying multiple times in combat allows you to unleash special attacks more frequently, dealing substantial damage to your foes.
Note: A noteworthy additional benefit to parrying is the Beetle’s Bulwark shield, which enables a summoner playstyle by allowing chained parries.
Performing Parry in Avowed
To parry an attack, press the block button just before the strike lands. If timed correctly, you’ll hear a distinct clank sound, signalling a successful deflection. A well-executed parry staggers the enemy, giving you a chance to counterattack. You can also use a shield to parry incoming attacks, but dual-wielding weapons prevents you from parrying.
Beyond staggering foes and creating openings, successful parries rapidly fill the yellow stun meter beneath the enemy’s health bar. Once full, you can unleash a powerful special attack that deals significant damage.
Remember: Parrying is especially effective in boss fights. Enemies like the Dreamscourge Bear, the Delemgan Queen, and even the final boss are highly susceptible to well-timed parries, making their powerful attacks much easier to handle.
