How to Parry (Counterspark) in Rise of the Ronin

Sometimes, just having the best offense is not always going to make the biggest difference in Team Ninja's Rise of the Ronin. To face all challenges, it makes more sense to have both capable offensive capabilities and a masterful defensive game. The key to the latter is to become adept at using Counterspark, the game's parrying mechanic, in battle.

Against the hardest bosses and difficult foes, it becomes imperative that Counterspark is used frequently and effectively, as it both gives players a boost and affects opponents negatively. For those struggling to come to terms with it, here's a guide on how to parry effectively with Counterspark in Rise of the Ronin.

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By Dan Amoroso

Understanding Counterspark/Parrying in Rise of the Ronin

Counterspark can be initiated by pressing Triangle, and it will only be successful if players do it when the enemy's attack connects. Deflecting attacks this way temporarily panics enemies, which allows you to dish out some pain of your own. The better timing you have with Counterspark, the more effective it will be.

When enemies execute combos, consecutive Countersparks must be used to defend yourself effectively in what is called a Counterspark Chain. Successful deflections of all attacks in a combo will cause the enemy to panic for an extended period of time, and even if you miss some, the damage taken is also reduced.

Counterspark Compatibility

In addition, the various combat styles will affect your effectiveness as well. Making use of an effective combat style can cause an enemy to stagger significantly, making it an easier fight. As a rule of thumb:

Ten Style - Effective against katanas and other normal weapons but ineffective against sabers and other lightweight weapons.
Chi Style - Effective against odachis and other heavy weapons, but ineffective against satanas and other normal weapons.
Jun Style - Effective against sabers and other lightweight weapons but ineffective against odachis and other heavy weapons.

How to Counterspark Parry in Rise of the Ronin

There are a few elements to remember when it comes to Counterspark in Rise of the Ronin, whether you are playing solo or with others.

Taking Your Time

Timing is everything, and it pays off to read the enemies' attack patterns before diving straight in. This way, you will be able to discern the rhythmic nature of their attacks and time your Countersparks accordingly. This is extremely important when facing bosses, as they tend to use more combos than individual attacks, meaning players have to parry multiple times in quick succession to avoid damage entirely and cause Ki damage.

Don't Give Up

Even if the enemy manages to hurt you using one or two attacks, there is still time to recover as long as you have Ki. This means that even in mid-combo, you are still able to use Counterspark to block the attacks. If the final attack is parried, it will still count as a successful Counterspark Chain. This will buy you more time to recover and prepare for the next wave.

Martial Arts

The enemy is also fond of using martial arts in Rise of the Ronin, as noted by the murderous red aura. Only a perfectly timed Counterspark can result in a deflection, and while some can be blocked by guarding, the chances are, you will need to master the timing to escape danger. It is much wiser to dodge the first couple of martial arts attempts just to see the timing before attempting to use Counterspark.

Weapon Peculiarity

Depending on your choice of weapons, the Counterspark animation will also differ. Some, like the paired swords, have a larger window due to their animation, but missing a counterspark will immediately make you vulnerable to follow-up attacks. Be sure to test out the weapons you want to use to get the timing down, which will only make facing more dangerous enemies easier.

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