How To Parry Like A Pro In Lies of P

Lies of P, the soulslike reimagining of the Pinocchio story, is a challenging game where mastering the perfect guard, or parry, is crucial for survival. Unlike a simple block, a successful parry negates all damage and can stagger enemies, opening them up for devastating attacks. But timing is everything, and mastering the parry window can feel daunting. This guide will break down the mechanics, offer practical tips, and help you parry like a pro in Lies of P.

Forget button mashing and hoping for the best. We’re going to delve into the nuances of the perfect guard, covering everything from understanding enemy attack patterns to utilizing specific P-Organ upgrades that will significantly improve your parrying game. Get ready to transform from a puppet struggling to survive into a formidable force capable of dismantling even the most fearsome puppets and monsters.

1. Understand the Perfect Guard Mechanic

The perfect guard, or parry, in Lies of P isn't just about blocking an attack; it's about deflecting it with precise timing. When you successfully parry, you'll see a distinct visual and auditory cue – a brighter flash and a sharper sound – indicating that you've executed it correctly. This negates all damage and contributes to an enemy's stagger meter.

  • Timing is Key: The window for a perfect guard is incredibly tight, requiring you to press the guard button (usually L1 or LB) just before an enemy's attack connects. This is different from holding the guard button to simply block.
  • Stagger and Fatal Attacks: Successfully parrying multiple attacks in quick succession significantly increases an enemy's stagger meter. Once full, they'll be vulnerable to a Fatal Attack, a powerful critical strike that deals massive damage.
  • Weapon Durability: Normal blocking degrades your weapon's durability. Perfect guarding does not, making it a far more sustainable defensive option in the long run.

2. Study Enemy Attack Patterns

The most crucial element of successful parrying is understanding your enemy. Each enemy type has distinct attack patterns, tells, and wind-up animations. Learning these patterns is essential for predicting when to execute your perfect guard.

  • Observe and Learn: Don't be afraid to die! Use your initial encounters with new enemies to observe their attacks. Pay attention to the speed, range, and timing of their swings.
  • Identify Telegraphs: Most enemies have specific animations that precede their attacks. These "tells" are your cues to prepare for a parry. For example, a large enemy might rear back before a powerful swing.
  • Practice Makes Perfect: Find a safe area with weaker enemies and practice parrying their attacks. Focus on reacting to their animations rather than just blindly pressing the guard button. The training ground at Hotel Krat is perfect for this.

3. Master the Timing – Practice Drills

Knowing the theory is one thing; putting it into practice is another. Here are some drills you can use to improve your parrying timing:

  • Delayed Parry: Start by parrying slightly after you think the attack will hit. This will help you adjust your timing and avoid parrying too early. Gradually shorten the delay until you're parrying right before the impact.
  • Visual Cues: Focus on specific visual cues in the enemy's animation. For example, watch for the moment their weapon stops moving backwards and begins its forward swing.
  • Audio Cues: Listen closely to the sounds of the enemy's attacks. The sound of their weapon hitting your guard can be a helpful cue for timing your parries.
  • Record and Review: If you're struggling with a particular enemy, record your gameplay and review it frame-by-frame. This can help you identify exactly when you're mistiming your parries.

4. Utilize P-Organ Upgrades for Enhanced Parrying

The P-Organ is a crucial upgrade system in Lies of P that allows you to customize Pinocchio's abilities. Several P-Organ upgrades directly enhance your parrying capabilities.

  • Perfect Guard Timing Increase: These upgrades significantly widen the perfect guard window, making it much easier to successfully parry attacks. Prioritize these upgrades early on.
  • Guard Regain: This allows you to regain a portion of lost health when you successfully guard attacks, even if you don't perfectly parry them. This is a valuable defensive option, especially against relentless attackers.
  • Increased Stagger Damage: These upgrades increase the amount of stagger damage you inflict on enemies when you successfully parry their attacks, allowing you to trigger Fatal Attacks more frequently.
  • Perfect Guard Weapon Damage Reduction: Reduces the amount of weapon damage you take when you perfect guard.

5. Understand Different Attack Types

Not all attacks are created equal. Lies of P features different attack types that require different strategies.

  • Normal Attacks: These are the most common attack type and can be parried with proper timing.
  • Fury Attacks (Red Attacks): Indicated by a red glow, these attacks cannot be blocked or parried. You must dodge them. Learning to recognize these attacks is crucial for survival.
  • Charge Attacks: Some enemies charge up their attacks before unleashing them. These attacks can often be parried, but require precise timing due to their speed and power.

6. Don't Be Afraid to Dodge

While parrying is incredibly powerful, it's not always the best option. Dodging is a valuable defensive tool that can help you avoid attacks that are difficult to parry or when you need to reposition yourself.

  • Use Dodging Strategically: Dodge to avoid Fury Attacks, create distance from enemies, or reposition yourself for a counterattack.
  • Experiment with Different Dodge Directions: Different dodge directions can be more effective against certain attacks. Experiment to find what works best for you.
  • Combine Parrying and Dodging: The best approach is often to combine parrying and dodging, using each technique when it's most appropriate.

7. Choose the Right Weapon

While any weapon can be used effectively with parrying, some weapons are better suited for it than others.

  • Weapons with High Guard Stability: Weapons with high guard stability reduce the amount of damage you take when blocking, even if you don't perfectly parry. This can be helpful when learning enemy attack patterns.
  • Fast Weapons: Faster weapons allow you to quickly counterattack after a successful parry, maximizing your damage output.
  • Experiment and Find Your Style: Ultimately, the best weapon is the one that you're most comfortable with and that suits your playstyle.

8. Practice on Bosses

Bosses in Lies of P are designed to test your skills, including your parrying ability. Don't be discouraged if you struggle at first. Use each attempt to learn their attack patterns and identify opportunities for perfect guards.

  • Focus on Survival: In your initial attempts, focus on surviving as long as possible and learning the boss's attack patterns.
  • Identify Parry Opportunities: Look for specific attacks that are easily parried and focus on mastering the timing.
  • Don't Give Up: Bosses in Lies of P can be challenging, but with practice and persistence, you can overcome them.

From Puppet to Paragon: Mastering the Parry

Parrying in Lies of P is a skill that requires patience, practice, and a willingness to learn from your mistakes. By understanding the mechanics, studying enemy attack patterns, and utilizing P-Organ upgrades, you can transform yourself from a struggling puppet into a parrying master. Remember to combine parrying with dodging and choose the right weapon for your playstyle. Don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you. With dedication, you'll be deflecting attacks, staggering enemies, and executing Fatal Attacks with ease. Now go forth and show those puppets who's boss!