There's nothing quite like the thrill of parrying an enemy's attack in an action game, turning their aggression into a perfect moment for a counterattack. If you're eager to experience this in *Avowed*, here's a comprehensive guide on how to parry in the game.
How to Unlock Parry in Avowed
To master the art of parrying in *Avowed*, you'll first need to unlock the ability. Navigate to the menu and select the "Abilities" screen, then head over to the "Ranger" tab. You'll find the Parry ability in the middle column at the top. To unlock it, you'll need to invest an Ability point into any of the three core trees. Once you've done that, you can unlock Parry.
Parry comes in three ranks, each offering different benefits:
| Rank | Player Level Requirement | Level Description |
| 1 | N/A (1 Point Spent) | Unlocks Parry. |
| 2 | Player Level 5 | Increases Parry efficiency by 25%, dealing greater Stun when Parrying enemies. |
| 3 | Player Level 8 | Increases Parry efficiency by 50%, dealing greater Stun when parrying enemies. |
At level 10, you can unlock "Arrow Deflection," a separate ability that allows you to block arrows and other projectiles by parrying.
How to Parry Attacks in Avowed
To execute a parry in *Avowed*, you must time your block perfectly just before an enemy's attack lands. You'll know you've succeeded when you hear a distinct metal clanking sound and see a visual indicator on your screen as the enemy staggers back. The timing can be tricky and varies slightly between enemies, but with practice, you'll get the hang of it. It's less challenging than mastering parries in games like *Dark Souls* or *Elden Ring*.
Parrying Isn’t Always an Option
It's important to note that not all attacks in *Avowed* can be parried. Look out for attacks marked with a red circle—these require dodging instead of parrying. Additionally, not all weapons are capable of parrying. Single-handed and two-handed weapons can generally parry, but only if they're not in your off-hand. Shields in your off-hand can also be used to parry. However, ranged weapons like guns, wands, and bows, as well as grimoires, cannot parry.
What Parrying Does (& Why You Might Want to Do It)
Parrying in *Avowed* is an excellent strategy for stunning your attacker, causing them to stagger and opening them up for significant damage. This ability is particularly valuable for melee-focused characters, allowing you to avoid damage while setting up powerful counterattacks. If your build leans towards ranged combat, you might find less use for parrying. However, the ease and low cost of respeccing in *Avowed* mean you can always try it out and switch if it doesn't fit your playstyle.
That's everything you need to know about parrying in *Avowed*. Master this skill to turn the tide of battle in your favor.
*Avowed is available now.*
