Sekiro: How to Block & Parry Attacks

How to Block & Parry Attacks in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Sekiro is the fastest-paced FromSoftware game yet and as such, requires precise timing to land a perfect block and parry. Here’s how to block and parry attacks in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

Sekiro is the latest from FromSoftware and this time, players aren’t going to be roaming around medieval castles or blood-soaked streets. Instead, they’ll be traversing medieval Japan in the Sengoku era of history.

Despite that change in setting, players can still expect to get destroyed over and over again by the enemies roaming about. While you can simply run away if you want, you’ll be missing out on crucial experience.

Instead of running away, we recommend blocking attacks.

How to Block Attacks

To block attacks in Sekiro, press L1/LB. You can simply hold this button down to block virtually any incoming attack, but if you consistently hold the block button down, you’ll likely never parry an enemy.

Parrying an enemy allows you to not only block an attack, but deflect it back at them. Above each enemy is a bar known as the posture meter.

As you fight, that bar will fill up (as will yours). Each time you parry an attack, the enemy’s posture meter will rise by quite a bit. When the posture meter completely fills up, the enemy will enter a stunned state, opening them up for a devastating blow.

Because those blows can often kill, it’s important that you parry as often as possible. This is even more true in boss fights.

How to Parry Attacks in Sekiro

To parry successfully, you need to block an enemy’s attack right before it hits you. Similar to shooting an enemy in Bloodborne to stun them, you need to parry an enemy right before their hit lands.

Holding the button prevents you from being able to do this. Instead, press L1 or LB right when their attack would have made contact with you.

If you parry successfully, you’ll hear a unique sound to indicate that you did so. Watch the posture meter above the enemy to see it rise quite substantially too.

That’s everything you need to know on how to block and parry attacks in Sekiro. For more tips, tricks, and guides, be sure to check out our ever-expanding guide wiki.