The thrill of a perfectly timed parry in an action game is unparalleled—that satisfying clang of steel, the enemy’s momentum turned against them, followed by a swift, decisive strike. If mastering this satisfying maneuver in *Avowed* is your goal, read on to learn how to parry in the game.

How to Unlock Parry in *Avowed*

Parrying isn't immediately available in Avowed. To unlock this crucial ability, navigate to the Abilities menu, then select the "Ranger" tab. You'll find the Parry ability in the top middle column. Before you can unlock it, you'll need to allocate an Ability point to one of the three core skill trees. Once that's done, Parry is yours.

Parry has three ranks, detailed below:

Furthermore, at level 10, you can unlock "Arrow Deflection," a separate ability allowing you to parry projectiles such as arrows.

How to Parry Attacks in *Avowed*

To parry, you must time your block precisely before an enemy attack connects. A metallic clang and a visual cue will confirm a successful parry, leaving your opponent momentarily stunned. Mastering the timing takes practice, but it’s significantly less demanding than in games like Dark Souls or Elden Ring.

Parrying Isn’t Always an Option

It's important to note that not all attacks are parryable. Attacks indicated by a red circle require dodging instead. Similarly, not all weapons can parry. Single-handed and two-handed weapons generally work, excluding off-hand use. Shields in your off-hand can also be used to parry. Ranged weapons (guns, wands, bows) and grimoires cannot parry.

What Parrying Does (& Why You Might Want to Do It)

Parrying in Avowed stuns attackers, creating an opening for significant damage. It’s a powerful defensive and offensive tool, especially for melee-focused builds. Ranged characters might find less use for it. However, Avowed's easy respec system allows you to adjust your build later if needed.

Avowed is available now.