The enemies in The Ringed City DLC present a significant challenge, and mastering the art of parrying and riposting can be a game-changer for many builds. While not every enemy is susceptible to this technique, several key threats can be neutralized or severely punished with well-timed parries.
Key Enemies Susceptible to Parrying
The most notable enemies that can be parried are the various types of Ringed Knights. These formidable warriors, clad in their iconic armor, often have attack patterns that are telegraphed and leave them open to a well-timed parry. Successfully parrying a Ringed Knight will stagger them, allowing for a devastating riposte that can deal massive damage, often taking a significant chunk out of their health bar.
- Ringed Knight Spear: Their thrusting attacks are prime candidates for parrying.
- Ringed Knight Paired Greatswords: While their dual-wielding attacks can be fast, some of the slower, heavier swings can be parried.
- Ringed Knight Sword and Shield: Their shield bash and certain sword swings are parryable.
Other enemies, such as some of the larger, more aggressive Hollows, may also have specific attacks that can be parried, though this is less consistent than with the Ringed Knights.
Timing and Practice
Parrying in Dark Souls III, especially against new enemy types, requires practice and observation. Pay close attention to the enemy's wind-up animations. The parry window is typically during the peak of the enemy's attack animation, just before it connects. Experiment with different parrying tools, such as the Buckler, Target Shield, or even certain weapon arts, as they can have slightly different parry frames.
The Riposte
Once a successful parry is landed, the enemy will be stunned and vulnerable. Immediately move towards them and press the light attack button to perform a riposte. The damage of a riposte is heavily influenced by your weapon's critical damage modifier and your stats. For builds focused on parrying, investing in Dexterity and using weapons with high critical damage is highly recommended.
When NOT to Parry
It's crucial to understand that not all attacks can be parried. Heavy, unblockable attacks, most grab attacks, and certain boss-specific moves are immune to parrying. Attempting to parry these will result in taking full damage. Always assess the enemy and the attack before committing to a parry. For many of the larger bosses and unique enemies in The Ringed City, dodging and strategic positioning are far more reliable than attempting to parry.