Avowed: Essential Parry Tactics

Mastering the art of parrying delivers one of gaming's most rewarding experiences - turning an enemy's aggression into your opportunity for a devastating counterattack. If you're looking to perfect this defensive technique in Avowed, here's your comprehensive guide to parrying.

Essential Tutorials

Quick Navigation:

• Unlocking the Parry Ability
• Executing Perfect Parries
• Attack Limitations
• Strategic Benefits

Unlocking the Parry Ability

Unlike some combat skills, parrying isn't available immediately in Avowed. To acquire this defensive technique, navigate to your Abilities menu and select the Ranger specialization tab. The Parry skill appears prominently in the center column, requiring just one initial Ability point investment in any core tree.

The parry mechanic offers three progressive tiers of mastery:

At level 10, players can additionally unlock Arrow Deflection - an advanced technique allowing projectile parries.

Mastering Parry Timing

Successful parrying requires precise timing - activate your block just before enemy impact. The game provides clear audio (a metallic clang) and visual cues when executed correctly. While timing varies between enemy types, Avowed's parry mechanics prove more forgiving than notoriously difficult titles like Dark Souls.

Parry Limitations

Certain unblockable attacks display distinctive red indicators - these require dodging rather than parrying. Additionally, parrying capability depends on your equipped gear:

• Main-hand melee weapons (both single and two-handed) can parry
• Shields enable parrying when equipped off-hand
• Ranged weapons and grimoires cannot execute parries

Tactical Advantages

Parrying offers strategic combat benefits beyond simple defense:

• Creates optimal counterattack windows by stunning enemies
• Prevents incoming damage while setting up offensive opportunities
• Particularly valuable for melee-focused builds

Ranged specialists may prioritize other skills, though Avowed's flexible respeccing system allows easy experimentation. For warriors closing distance with foes, parrying becomes an invaluable technique demanding mastery.

*Avowed is currently available on all platforms*