Late Game opinion about parrying (against God King)

[Gospel]

So after beating the level 350 God King after I lost count of how many tries... I decided to go back to Bloodline 1 and try to practice parry practice (against the God King).

With over 8000 HP in full armor, a Ruin Sword (1 damage), and almost instant healing, this was the ideal setup for parry practice. I spent about a full hour battle with the God King and here are my thoughts:


The time frame for parrying is pretty bad; you almost had to do it in advance
There are many instances where if you miss once you are in for at least 3 hits (and depending on your HP in higher bloodlines this might be game over for some of us). Sometimes he alternates the vertical strikes with horizontal ones, but I am not sure. If you aren't sure I guess it's time to dodge or shield.
He has two "walk-in combos", correction: If you parried his walk-in combo's first hit, he will stop the combo entirely.
Most importantly is how unforgiving the God King is, he gives you only a split second to stab him should you took the risk to parry his strikes. Not to mention how most of the time you don't even get such a reward in the higher bloodlines.



A comparison with Dodging:


Majority of his strikes can be dodged by Left Dodge, there's only 2 or possibly 3 scenarios which calls for a Right Dodge, one of them being a long turn around swipe which can be parried very easily.
It is possible to still dodge after you do a swipe (scratch).
It is possible to dodge 2 of the God King's strikes within a single dodge.
If you are interrupted in mid dodge, you still get to dodge or block the rest of his combos, or even counter parry afterwards.
Dodge Breaks are far easier to achieve than the split second Parry opened stabs.



In conclusion, this game's parry system is not rewarding enough at all.

[Arterra]

and yet we toil for the elusive achievement. for now it does seem to just be a grind.

[FiniteX]

So after beating the level 350 God King after I lost count of how many tries... I decided to go back to Bloodline 1 and try to practice parry practice (against the God King).

With over 8000 in full armor, a Ruin Sword (1 damage), and almost instant healing, this was the ideal setup for parry practice. I spent about a full hour battle with the God King and here are my thoughts:


The time frame for parrying is pretty bad; you almost had to do it in advance
In Camera View 1 his quick swipe combo can be parried by swiping horizontally 3 times, then vertically 1-2 times. If you miss once you are in for at least 3 hits (and depending on your HP in higher bloodlines this might be game over for some of us). Sometimes he alternates the vertical strikes with horizontal ones, but I am not sure. If you aren't sure I guess it's time to dodge or shield.
He has two "walk-in combos", one of them with 3 fast swipes, and one with a swipe-kick-swipe. Parrying these are extremely difficult.
Most importantly is how unforgiving the God King is, even at Bloodline 1, he gives you only a split second to stab him should you took the risk to parry his strikes. Not to mention how most of the time you don't even get such a reward in the higher bloodlines.



A comparison with Dodging:


Majority of his strikes can be dodged by Left Dodge, there's only 2 or possibly 3 scenarios which calls for a Right Dodge, one of them being a long turn around swipe which can be parried very easily.
It is possible to still dodge after you do a swipe (scratch).
It is possible to dodge 2 of the God King's strikes within a single dodge.
If you are interrupted in mid dodge, you still get to dodge or block the rest of his combos, or even counter parry afterwards.
Dodge Breaks are far easier to achieve than the split second Parry opened stabs.



In conclusion, this game's parry system is not rewarding enough at all.

I agreed with this ever since I found out how much easier dodging was compared with parrying. Parrying's only fun to do, and that's it.

[Dan62]

I do find it quite difficult and unsatisfying to parry, but I still managed to get 2 of the 3 parry related achievements. Most of the one's I do get are from randomly slashing the screen hoping that something good results. Most of the time I just dodge or shield block, thought I tend to parry the slower attacks fairly easily.

[MarsMachine]

It's quite funny but I started off with parrying most of the time and got quite good at it (got all parry achievements!). It is interesting to read about different fighting styles. I wanna now practice dodging and doing the combos! I still think parrying is the ultimate in sword fighting and is very rewarding! Guess I prefer the offensive style!

[Randius]

I actually find parrying to be very satisfying, particularly when I successfully parried a 6-8 hit combo (3-4 hit combo + 3-4 immediate follow-ups). Not bragging but I also attained the "Epic!" achievement. Now I only dodge or block when absolutely necessary. But as what Gospel, parrying against God-King's attacks is not rewarding at all. Fast reaction is required to parry and very short time frame to stab.

[Sir_Brizz]

I have a hard time dodging, to be honest. For some reason the dodging does not feel responsive for me, even if I push on the right spots.

Parrying works, but you have to be very attentive on the god king. I have beat him twice so far. I've been close several times but fail doing the heal spell when he is under 200 :(

[seyoon]

I have a hard time dodging, to be honest. For some reason the dodging does not feel responsive for me, even if I push on the right spots.

Parrying works, but you have to be very attentive on the god king. I have beat him twice so far. I've been close several times but fail doing the heal spell when he is under 200 :(

For using Heal Spells when fighting the GK, I find that Block Breaks give me enough time. Careful though coz if you don't have enough shield, the GK can easily break that in a few strikes.

[Gospel]

Parrying can trigger stuns, which allow you to usually do a 4-hit Mega Combo but not enough time to do a 5-hit Ultra Combo. However there are times when the game offers you a Circle Stab Opportunity and if you are successful in stabbing quick enough, you will be awarded enough time for the 5-hit Ultra Combo.

After further practice I am beginning the see the real pattern of the GK and I think parrying every hit is actually quite possible so long as he doesn't use the Kick.


Parrying Everything God King


God King Stepping Back (2 varieties)
There are two separate sequences for this, both are are very similar in terms of parrying. When he moves slightly with his arms and takes half a step back, he will always strike horizontally.

Picture: Big Step Back. He backs up pretty far here.
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/219/img0277v.png

Picture: Small Step Back. He moves his arms slightly.
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/7417/img0278.png

This is actually one of the scenarios when Parrying is more risky but can be better than dodging if you mastered it. Here the God King will strike you 3 times, 2 times horizontally and with the last hit vertically. If you can parry the first hit, he will not continue the 3 hit combo. However should you miss the first hit you are in for the full combo. There are no bonus stab / stun for parrying it though however. (This should be changed IMO)

To parry the first strike, watch for when his back. The moment you see he turn around it is time to do a SHORT and QUICK swipe, make sure you RELEASE your finger before his back is turned. If you do this you should stop the God King in his tracks.

Now here's the really fun part: most of the time if you succeeded parrying the first hit, the God King will try to follow up with his usual Strike Up and then Strike Down attacks, both of which can be parried vertically (and is very predictable). If he doesn't do this, he will try to do his slow full spin horizontal strike, which can be easily parried horizontally.



God King Jumping Downward Strike

Picture: Jumping Back First, and then...
http://img815.imageshack.us/img815/9954/img0280r.png

Picture: Jumping Downward Strike. You need to have released your finger before you see this.
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/8136/img0296.png

This can be parried vertically and can be done fairly easily, just make sure you time it right (fast!). I used to think this was impossible but that's not true; I was just too slow. Rarely you will be awarded with a stab chance here.


God King Basic Uppercut and Downward Strikes

Picture: Uppercut. Your finger should already be released by this point.
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/9681/img0287.png

He does this very very regularly so be sure to master parrying this and anticipate it all the time. You can parry both hits by swiping vertically. Just make sure you release your finger fast and you should be able to parry these two strikes relatively easily. Beware that he sometimes skips the second Down strike but instead follows up with a long spinning Slow Horizontal Swipe, which is explained below.


God King Slow Horizontal Strikes
Picture: Slow Horizontal Strike First Hit (coming from right side).
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/7753/img0289.png

Picture: Slow Horizontal Strike First Hit. You should have released your finger at this point.
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/3855/img0290u.png

Picture: Slow Horizontal Strike Second Hit (coming from left side).
http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/7155/img0294.png

He always starts this from coming in from the right side. This is probably his slowest basic attack and is arguably the easiest to parry, just swipe horizontally. He almost always follows up this attack with a Left Horizontal Swipe that's also relatively slow and easy to parry, again just parry horizontally. If you succeeded parrying both his horizontal slow hits, he will proceed with a Fast Downward Strike, explained below.

Fast Downward Strike
To parry this, you MUST predict it coming as there's no time to react on this one. Parry vertically and release your finger ASAP. You maybe awarded with a stab circle or ANOTHER Fast Upward/Downward Strike; which you must predict ahead and parry vertically as well. I don't suggest you do try to parry the second vertical strike, if you spend time looking for the circle you will likely get hit the second time so it's not really worth it imo. Here's when you might want to use your shield if no circle is visible.



If you do all of the above and not be cocky you should be able to parry every single incoming attack from the God King, but be warned that it is not a very rewarding task other than bragging rights.



Edit: Updated with pictures :)

[Randius]

The God-King's step-back combos are pretty easy to parry EXCEPT the one which he takes a small step back and then executes a very fast horizontal slash from his right. Luckily, if you are hit by the first two slashes of the combo, it is still possible to dodge the third slash.

I sure hope they can somehow change the camera angle or space the God-King and player further apart in 2nd scene. The God-King's upward and horizontal slash from his left are almost blocked entirely by the player.

Maybe they will have the achievement for fighting God-King without blocking/dodging + killing him with Ruin for the ultimate bragging right :p Now that's the ultimate insult.

[Gospel]

Oops looks like I was wrong about 3 variations of the step back combo, there's only two. And not only that I found out that it is possible to still parry him even if you are hit! But man, it is hard.

[Mark Rein]

You folks rock!

[seyoon]

Parrying can trigger stuns, which allow you to usually do a 4-hit Mega Combo but not enough time to do a 5-hit Ultra Combo. However there are times when the game offers you a Circle Stab Opportunity and if you are successful in stabbing quick enough, you will be awarded enough time for the 5-hit Ultra Combo.

After further practice I am beginning the see the real pattern of the GK and I think parrying every hit is actually quite possible so long as he doesn't use the Kick.


Parrying Everything God King


God King Stepping Back (2 varieties)
There are two separate sequences for this, both are are very similar in terms of parrying. When he moves slightly with his arms and takes half a step back, he will always strike horizontally.

Picture: Big Step Back. He backs up pretty far here.
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/219/img0277v.png

Picture: Small Step Back. He moves his arms slightly.
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/7417/img0278.png

This is actually one of the scenarios when Parrying is more risky but can be better than dodging if you mastered it. Here the God King will strike you 3 times, 2 times horizontally and with the last hit vertically. If you can parry the first hit, he will not continue the 3 hit combo. However should you miss the first hit you are in for the full combo. There are no bonus stab / stun for parrying it though however. (This should be changed IMO)

To parry the first strike, watch for when his back. The moment you see he turn around it is time to do a SHORT and QUICK swipe, make sure you RELEASE your finger before his back is turned. If you do this you should stop the God King in his tracks.

Now here's the really fun part: most of the time if you succeeded parrying the first hit, the God King will try to follow up with his usual Strike Up and then Strike Down attacks, both of which can be parried vertically (and is very predictable). If he doesn't do this, he will try to do his slow full spin horizontal strike, which can be easily parried horizontally.



God King Jumping Downward Strike

Picture: Jumping Back First, and then...
http://img815.imageshack.us/img815/9954/img0280r.png

Picture: Jumping Downward Strike. You need to have released your finger before you see this.
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/8136/img0296.png

This can be parried vertically and can be done fairly easily, just make sure you time it right (fast!). I used to think this was impossible but that's not true; I was just too slow. Rarely you will be awarded with a stab chance here.


God King Basic Uppercut and Downward Strikes

Picture: Uppercut. Your finger should already be released by this point.
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/9681/img0287.png

He does this very very regularly so be sure to master parrying this and anticipate it all the time. You can parry both hits by swiping vertically. Just make sure you release your finger fast and you should be able to parry these two strikes relatively easily. Beware that he sometimes skips the second Down strike but instead follows up with a long spinning Slow Horizontal Swipe, which is explained below.


God King Slow Horizontal Strikes
Picture: Slow Horizontal Strike First Hit (coming from right side).
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/7753/img0289.png

Picture: Slow Horizontal Strike First Hit. You should have released your finger at this point.
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/3855/img0290u.png

Picture: Slow Horizontal Strike Second Hit (coming from left side).
http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/7155/img0294.png

He always starts this from coming in from the right side. This is probably his slowest basic attack and is arguably the easiest to parry, just swipe horizontally. He almost always follows up this attack with a Left Horizontal Swipe that's also relatively slow and easy to parry, again just parry horizontally. If you succeeded parrying both his horizontal slow hits, he will proceed with a Fast Downward Strike, explained below.

Fast Downward Strike
To parry this, you MUST predict it coming as there's no time to react on this one. Parry vertically and release your finger ASAP. You maybe awarded with a stab circle or ANOTHER Fast Upward/Downward Strike; which you must predict ahead and parry vertically as well. I don't suggest you do try to parry the second vertical strike, if you spend time looking for the circle you will likely get hit the second time so it's not really worth it imo. Here's when you might want to use your shield if no circle is visible.



If you do all of the above and not be cocky you should be able to parry every single incoming attack from the God King, but be warned that it is not a very rewarding task other than bragging rights.



Edit: Updated with pictures :)

Extremely helpful. Thanks, dude!

[Gospel]

You folks rock!

EPIC and CHAIR rocks :)


Alright so does that mean we might be getting better (more rewarding) parries in the coming future? As much as I would love to parry the God King (or any other enemy for that matter) it makes me look like a fool when I could have easily dodged instead of parrying. More circle stab opportunities or at least a longer slow motion effect would be very nice!

[Randius]

....More circle stab opportunities or at least a longer slow motion effect would be very nice!

Or maybe an indicator of the best time (change color from blue to yellow?) to stab? I noticed sometimes when I don't stab at the first instant the circle appears but at a particular moment, 2nd or 3rd stab circle may appear. Has no one else seen this?

[Gospel]

Hmm... I just realized I forgotten about his basic quick horizontal slashes in the first and second camera views. Will update the main post later.

You can simply parry those horizontally, of course. He will slash either 3 times horizontally or 2 times then followed by a Spinning Slow Horizontal Swipe (from the left).

[SuperJonas666]

Just watch out for the tap-war... I can't seem to win it in the third scene.

[DeltaKain]

Hmm... I just realized I forgotten about his basic quick horizontal slashes in the first and second camera views. Will update the main post later.

You can simply parry those horizontally, of course. He will slash either 3 times horizontally or 2 times then followed by a Spinning Slow Horizontal Swipe (from the left).

You should mention parry sequences though rare they are there with every battle... That is where the regular combo ends and you find yourself parrying a good 2-5 extra hits that come in quick succession I guess to give the effect of parrying in real life... Has anyone else experienced this?

[ckd0214]

@DeltaKain
I have noticed this as well. When it happens, I just dodge to my left instead. I find it's not worth it to parry all 2-5 hit and just wait for another opportunity.