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How to parry attacks in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Landing a perfect shield in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate involves some technique, but learning how to parry isn't so complicated.

Kevin Tucker

December 19, 2018 1:25 PM

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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate players are going to have to learn how to parry before they can start playing at a more competitive level. It might seem like a small thing, but considering the depth of Smash Ultimate's fighting mechanics, a single well-timed parry or perfect shield can turn a loss into a victory. Fortunately, given a little bit of practice and a fair bit of patience, learning how to parry isn't so difficult.

How to parry in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

A parry, also known as a perfect shield, is a technique that allows Super Smash Bros. Ultimate players to break through enemy attacks. Perhaps unsurprisingly, its made possible through deliberate use of the shield, and it involves timing the release of the shield button to correspond with the timing of incoming blows.

The first step in learning how to parry is to build a habit of using the shield itself. The window of defense provided by the shield is considerable but brief, and with a little bit of practice, players can deploy it just in time to absorb some damage. Even though it seems simple, this instinct to bring up the shield to block incoming attacks is the sole requirement needed learn how to parry.

The next step also involves timing, specifically knowing when to release the shield button to perform a parry. In a nutshell, the shield should be released right as the incoming attack is about to land. If it helps, think of it like swatting a sword away with a shield, or hitting a baseball with a bat. To get a better feel for the timing visually, including an examination of shielding and parries down to the frame, check out this video posted by IzawSmash on YouTube.

When pulled off correctly, a perfect shield or parry will not only deflect the incoming blow, it will cause the character's eyes to flash while opening a brief window to counterattack. Properly executed parries or perfect shields carry the potential to break through an enemy combo and counter with an attack that cannot be blocked. Small surprise that it's so popular among hardcore players, right?

Don't fret if it seems like it's taking a long time to learn how to parry. A perfect shield in Smash Ultimate is meant to be a pro-level maneuver, and mastering the parry in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate takes time and dedication. In the meantime, catch up on the latest Smash Ultimate news and guides Shacknews has on offer by heading over to our Super Smash Bros. Ultimate walkthrough and guide.

Kevin Tucker

Guides Editor

Kevin Tucker is a core component of Shacknews' powerful guide development team. For questions, concerns, tips, or to share constructive criticism, he can be reached on Twitter @dukeofgnar or through e-mail at kevin.tucker@shacknews.com.