Elden Ring introduces a huge variety of combat mechanics intended to make melee fighting and defensive gameplay much less about turtling and more than nigh getting into the action. In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, constantly being on the offensive is a legitimate strategy. In Elden Ring, information technology'southward easier to stay in the fight than ever before thanks to mechanics similar Guard Counter.

A Guard Counter works similar to a Perfect Parry in Sekiro, though it doesn't require nearly as precise timing. It'south a mechanic that makes defensive builds much more fun. Instead of hiding behind a Shield and poking for damage every one time in a while, a Guard Counter gives defensive players a new tool that can punish specially aggressive opponents.

Updated June 30, 2022 past Erik Petrovich : The Guard Counter is a new melee maneuver in Elden Ring, i that has confused some players who are perhaps too used to the flow of gainsay in other FromSoftware games. The Elden Band cake counter, as it is called by some players, lets players perform a new powerful move immediately subsequently blocking. Though it tin can trigger Critical Hits in Elden Ring, it is different than a Parry considering it doesn't instantly open them upwards for a counter attack. Instead, by introducing the Baby-sit Counter Elden Ring provides players a way to stun enemies without having to Parry them. It's not equally complicated as it sounds, though there are some means to make this new motility more reliable with Ashes of War and conscientious planning.

Guard Counters Brand Shields And Melee Builds More than FeasibleElden Ring How To Guard Counter Guide Turtle Melee Builds

A Guard Counter is a special attack that can be performed after defending with a Shield. It deals far higher damage to posture than a regular Heavy Attack – very weak enemies volition be stunned in a single hitting by a well-timed Guard Counter. It's great for interrupting enemies who like to cast right afterwards striking, like the Godskin Apostle, merely its real strength comes from triggering Critical Hit opportunities.

When the hidden posture meter is broken, an enemy volition be stunned and usually have a specific place players can strike to initiate a unique Disquisitional Hitting. Because Baby-sit Counters deal so much harm to this meter, it should exist a regular office of your melee build rotation.

Guard Counter Tips

Melee builds in other FromSoftware games revolve around ducking in and out of combat to deal a bit of impairment at a time. With this mechanic, staying in the heart of a fight is much more encouraged than in the Dark Souls series as information technology gives shield-wielding melee players another mechanic to expect out for and accept reward of.

Use Shields with a higher Guard Boost value to maximize your Stamina reduction, and consider using the Barricade Shield Ash of War to make Blocking even more effective, leaving plenty of Stamina for the comeback. Guard Counters can merely be done if yous have Stamina remaining afterwards blocking, then be sure to go on your Shield lowered in between enemy attacks to recover Stamina much more than quickly.

How To Guard Counter In Elden Band

Elden Ring How To Guard Counter Guide Blocking Beastman Of Farum Azula

To pull off a Guard Counter, first find an enemy who hits upwardly close. The Godrick Soldiers in early Limgrave are a good enemy to test this mechanic out on, but whatsoever enemy that deals blockable damage tin trigger the Baby-sit Counter. For case, blocking a Glintstone Pebble at melee range volition still allow a Guard Counter just similar a concrete damage attack.

To Baby-sit Counter, outset r aise your Shield with the left shoulder button (L1) equally you are well-nigh to have a hit. As soon every bit the assault hits your Shield and your Stamina bar takes harm, press the right trigger (R2). If done correctly, you will hear a special sound play as your grapheme whisks around to retaliate in a unique animation, dealing a huge amount of damage to both the enemy'southward HP and hidden posture meter.

Elden Ring is available at present for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|Due south.

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