How to Parry and Backstab in Lords of the Fallen
Combat holds a prominent position throughout your adventure in Lords of the Fallen, and you will frequently find yourself immersed in battles. If you ...
Hirun Cryer
Oct 13, 2023
Combat holds a prominent position throughout your adventure in Lords of the Fallen, and you will frequently find yourself immersed in battles. If you are already acquainted with the soulslike game genre, the combat mechanics will feel quite familiar. However, if you are new to this style of game and still refining your combat abilities, there is a strong possibility that you may have overlooked some essential gameplay mechanics present in the game.
Although combat primarily revolves around executing attacks against adversaries, there are two crucial mechanics, namely Parry and Backstab, that can significantly assist you during demanding encounters. Fully grasping the utilization of these mechanics may not be immediately evident, but if you have made it this far in reading, consider yourself fortunate.
How To Parry
One of the vital combat mechanics in the game that you should acquaint yourself with is Parrying.
Parrying operates in a manner similar to what you would anticipate from other games, but there is a distinct twist here due to the inclusion of Withered Health. Blocking enemy attacks results in accumulating Withered Health, but parrying enables you to sustain significantly less damage compared to merely blocking.
In order to execute a successful parry against an enemy attack, it is crucial to closely observe their attack animation. As the attack is about to strike you, press the designated Parry button—L1 on PlayStation, LT on Xbox, or Left Shift on PC. This action not only diminishes the amount of Withered Health you incur but also aids in weakening the enemy's posture.
While any form of attack can chip away at an enemy's posture, parrying typically deals more substantial posture damage compared to regular strikes.
By locking onto an enemy, you can observe their posture, which is indicated by a white circle. As you gradually diminish their posture, you will notice the outline of the circle shrinking.
Once you completely deplete an enemy's posture and cause them to stagger, a red indicator will emerge, signifying the opportunity to execute a Grievous Strike. This strike inflicts significant damage, so make sure to capitalize on this opening and unleash your attack.
Although parrying may initially seem simple, mastering its timing can present a considerable challenge.
Each enemy possesses distinct attack patterns, and it may not always be possible to parry every single one of their attacks. Nonetheless, through practice and experience, you will gradually enhance your proficiency in parrying.
How To Backstab
The second combat mechanic that you will find highly advantageous is the backstab, and it operates in a slightly different manner.
As the name suggests, backstabs are executed when you approach an enemy from behind. However, performing a successful backstab requires a specific approach and cannot be achieved easily.
To execute a backstab, you must first approach the enemy from behind. Once in position, unleash a fully charged heavy attack. This maneuver will deplete the enemy's posture and cause them to stagger.
You will notice the same red indicator, indicating the opportunity to perform a Grievous Strike, but this time it will appear when attacking from behind the enemy.
This technique proves valuable when you encounter an enemy with their back exposed. In such situations, you can quietly approach them, take your time, and then employ the aforementioned method to execute a backstab.