Valheim: How to parry enemy attacks

Everyone knows that the real goal of Valheim isn’t defeating the forest gods or getting the best armor; it’s living your fantasy Viking life in the longhouse of your dreams. To do this you’re going to need resources, a lot of resources. The problem is, those building materials are always surrounded by enemies. Knowing how to parry enemy attacks in Valheim is essential for your looting needs.

How to parry enemy attacks in Valheim

What this skill really comes down to is timing. Just like in Souls-like games, keeping a cool head and executing a block at precisely the right time is all you need to get the hang of combat. With this down, you can throw your enemy off balance and leave them vulnerable to serious damage. There are a few ways in which you can master the art of the parry.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

1. Timing: The official method for a successful parry is blocking a quarter of a second before an enemy connects with a strike. If you are able to determine this precisely, you will find parrying very easy. If you don’t have a perfect stopwatch inside your head, then work with visual cues.
2. Visual cues: In Valheim, all attacks are telegraphed for a good amount of time. Whether it’s Trolls or Greydwarves, you should be able to see them wind their attacks back. The best method for determining parry time is to wait for the swing to reach its apex and hit that block button just as it starts to come back at you.

On a successful parry, you will hear a satisfying clang and the enemy will stagger back, vulnerable to a boosted attack.

Determining factors for a successful parry

There are a few things to note about the parry ability in Valheim. First of all, not all shields and weapons are created equal. You must look at each item’s block force and parry bonus to determine just how effective they will be against an enemy’s attack.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

• Block force: This determines just how much the opponent will be staggered when executing a parry. The higher the number, the bigger the stagger, leaving them open to retaliation for longer.
• Parry bonus: This number lets you know just how much extra damage you will be doing when you strike the staggered enemy. It is a multiplier that improves as your weapon does.

The second element of knowing how to parry attacks in Valheim is whether you actually have the blocking power. If you decide to block a troll with a knife, you’re going to have a bad time. If the attack power exceeds that of your blocking power, you will not be able to parry at all. Any damage over the blocking power of your chosen item will be taken from your health. Furthermore, it will also take a considerable chunk of your stamina.

Blocking is a scaleable ability. As you employ it, it will improve. So if you’re struggling to block those heavy attacks, then maybe you need to get out there and farm some enemies. The higher your ability, the easier the parry.

With the recent release of Mistlands, a whole plethora of new beasts and monsters are going to be out there to get you. It’s never been more important to know how to keep yourself protected.