There's nothing more exhilarating in an action game than expertly parrying an enemy's attack, transforming their force into a thrilling moment of counterattack. If you're eager to master this skill in *Avowed*, here's your comprehensive guide on how to parry in the game.
How to Unlock Parry in Avowed
To parry in *Avowed*, you must first unlock the ability. Navigate to the menu, head to the "Abilities" screen, and select the "Ranger" tab. You'll find the Parry ability located in the middle column at the top. To unlock it, you need to allocate an Ability point into any of the three core trees. Once you've done that, you can unlock Parry.
Parry comes in three ranks, detailed in the table below for your convenience:
| 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," another 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 block just before an enemy's attack makes contact. You'll hear a distinct metal clanking sound and see a visual indicator on the screen as the enemy recoils from your successful parry. The timing can take some practice to master, as it varies slightly between enemies. However, it's less challenging than in games like *Dark Souls* or *Elden Ring*.
Parrying Isn’t Always an Option
Keep in mind that not all attacks can be parried. When you see a red circle, you'll need to dodge these attacks instead.
Additionally, not all weapons in *Avowed* support 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 such as 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 way to stun your attacker, causing them to stagger. This gives you the perfect opportunity to deal significant damage. Therefore, parrying is a crucial technique for avoiding damage while maximizing your own offensive capabilities.
The utility of parrying largely depends on your character build. It's most beneficial for melee-focused characters who engage enemies up close. If your build leans more towards ranged combat, you might want to forego parrying. Nonetheless, for melee fighters, it's an invaluable skill. Fortunately, *Avowed* offers easy and affordable respeccing, so if you find parry isn't for you, you can always change your abilities later.
And that's how to master the art of parrying in *Avowed*.
*Avowed is available now.*
