What to know

  • Timing parries involves watching for specific weapon glints and pressing L1 just before impacts.
  • Parry delay issues can be affected by visual mode, frame rates, and possible bugs, especially after the latest patches.
  • Equipping certain gear may restrict parry options, forcing perfect parries only.
  • Slowing time with R2 or learning enemy patterns first can greatly increase parry success.

Improving your parry skills in Ghost of Yotei can make tough fights far more manageable. This article explores practical steps for perfecting your timing and troubleshooting any parry delay you might experience, tapping into the latest guides and reported community issues.

Note: Parry techniques can be perfected in Altars of Reflection in Yotei Grasslands.

Parry in Ghost of Yotei overview

Parry Type Input Timing Window Enemy Cue / Glint Color Effect on Success When to Use Notes
Standard Parry Press L1 just before impact Moderate (~0.3s) Blue glint Blocks enemy attack, opens brief counter window Against basic enemy swings and weapon attacks Timing forgiving but still precise; fails on red or heavy attacks
Perfect Parry Press L1 at the exact frame of impact Very tight (~0.1–0.15s) Blue glint or faint weapon flash Slows time briefly and stuns enemy Against elite enemies or bosses for high reward Unlockable in Onryo tree; adds visual slow-motion feedback
Heavy Parry / Counter Parry L1 + Light Attack (Square) combo right after a successful parry Requires follow-up within ~0.5s — Performs immediate riposte or stance break When you want to capitalize on perfect parry openings Deals higher poise damage; risky if mistimed
Guard Break Parry Hold L1 against multi-hit chain, release at final strike Multi-window Gold glint (on final strike) Shatters enemy guard or weapon For armored or shielded foes Must learn enemy chain rhythm; slightly slower to trigger
Projectile Parry Tap L1 at projectile impact (arrows, kunai, etc.) Narrow (~0.1–0.2s) None (no glint) Deflects or redirects projectile When under ranged fire and no cover available Works best with precision build; small margin for error
Onryo Parry (Spirit Parry) L1 during enemy spirit or spectral attack Moderate (~0.25s) White/blue aura Disperses spirit attack, regains spirit meter Against supernatural foes or ethereal bosses Requires Onryo Armor II or higher
Auto Parry (Skill Assist) Passive (auto-triggers when timing is close) — — Reduces stamina cost and soft-blocks hit For players with timing-assist upgrades Only available after unlocking support skills or charms

How to train your parry timing

Follow these steps to build muscle memory and precision.

Step 1 – Observe and analyze enemy attacks
  • In a low-risk fight or on a weaker enemy, don’t attack. Just block and dodge while watching how and when enemies swing.
  • Note the exact moment their arm or weapon motion begins and how far it travels before striking.
  • Watch for the glint cues (blue, red, gold) to learn which attacks are parryable.
Step 2 – Use slow-time trick (hold R2) to “stretch” the window

Because holding R2 slows down combat motion (while you change weapons) you get more time to see and react. Use this in practice phases to understand exact frames of impact.

Be aware: while holding R2, you may lose the ability to dodge immediately, so use it cautiously in tougher fights.

Step 3 – Tap L1 very late, not early
  • Resist the urge to parry as soon as you see the glint. Wait until the last split-second before the weapon contacts you.
  • In practice, purposely delay your press until just a hair before impact.
Step 4 – Isolate parryable attacks only

Focus only on attacks that are eligible for parry (blue or neutral) and skip dodging or blocking un-parryable ones. This tightens your mental mapping of which moves you should even attempt to parry.

Step 5 – Gradually remove the “slow motion” crutch

Once you’re reliably landing parries using R2 slow mode, shift to normal combat, gradually phasing out slow mode. That forces your reflex to match real speed.

Step 6 – Add perfect parry practice when available

If you unlock the perfect parry skill (often available later in the Onryo tree), work on that narrower window. Perfect parries may slow time briefly and open a counterattack.

How to test whether your “delay” is real or just perception

Test What to watch for What it indicates
Press L1 just before a predictable enemy hit If your parry registers late (You get hit first) Input lag or wrong timing
Try same press in slow-time mode (R2 held) If it succeeds regularly when slowed but not in normal mode You might have normal mode being too fast for your reflex
Use another controller/display or on another device If lag or delay disappears Then the problem is hardware/display not skill
Try parry on known parryable move (blue glint) If game consistently denies your input Possibly trying a non-parry attack or glint misinterpretation

Strategies to keep improving with Parry

  • After each failed parry, mentally note when you pressed relative to the strike — early or late — and adjust.
  • Occasionally slow your pattern (don’t rush). Reset your timing if you start chasing the parry too eagerly.
  • In more chaotic fights (multiple enemies), pick one attacker and practice parrying just that one to build focus.
  • Leave one enemy alive in a fight and use them purely as your “parry dummy” to practice rhythm mid-combat. (Many players do this in Soulslike games.)
  • Don’t overuse parry; combine with dodge & block to avoid forcing parry attempts on un-parryable moves.

Perfecting your parries in Ghost of Yotei

Sharpening your parry timing in Ghost of Yotei can completely change your combat experience. By recognizing attack cues, fine-tuning settings, and practicing step by step, you’ll be able to counter even the swiftest adversaries and overcome technical hurdles.