How to Parry and Counter in Crimson Desert

Crimson Desert has one of the most incredible combat systems in modern RPGs, giving a massive arsenal of weapons and skills to players, letting them build their character in their own way. For players who enjoy Souls games, like me, I am sure you are looking for a way to parry in the game. Crimson Desert does have a parry and counter system, but using it is slightly tricky as you need to unlock it first. Here is a quick guide on how to parry and counter in Crimson Desert.

How to Unlock Parrying in Crimson Desert

Parrying is one of the best combat mechanics when done correctly in a game. Most games that have parrying have it unlocked for the characters. But that’s not how it works in Crimson Desert. First, players have to unlock parrying in the game to be able to perform it. To unlock parry, you will have to unlock the ‘Keen Senses’ Crimson Desert skill. Once you have unlocked it, enhance it further using Abyss Artifacts to unlock the Parry ability in Crimson Desert.

You can obtain Abyss Artifacts by defeating bosses in Crimson Desert. The Abyss Artifacts are one of the main resources for progression in the game, so make sure to save them for the best skills, like parrying.

How to Parry in Crimson Desert

Parrying in Crimson Desert is one of the best early Crimson Desert skills. It works the same way it does for most other games. After you have unlocked the ability to parry, as mentioned above, you will have to ‘Guard’ just before getting hit by an attack. This will parry the enemy’s attack and push them backward. Parrying an enemy also freezes them for a couple of seconds, giving you the perfect window to get in a couple of strikes on the enemy.

How to Counter in Crimson Desert

Like many skills in Crimson Desert, parrying can also be upgraded. Upgrading the Keen Senses skill, which is the mother skill for parrying, unlocks Backstep and Counter. Backstep works similarly to parrying, where you have to press the dodge button right before an enemy attacks to backstep out of the attack.

Both parrying and backstepping are good defensive skills, but counter is a much better alternative. This skill not only stops the enemy attacks, but also deals damage to them. To do a counter, unlock the ability by enhancing Keen Senses, and then attack right before an enemy attacks you. Attacking right at the moment of being attacked will trigger a counter, where Kliff will both block the incoming attack and deal damage at the same time.

So, there you have it. Now you know to parry, counter, and backstep in Crimson Desert. Investing in the Keen Senses skill will grant you a massive defensive kit that will allow you to dodge most attacks in the game. Still have questions about parrying or countering? Ask us in the comments below.