Elden Ring: How to Guard Counter guide
Learn to take hits and strike back!
Share this article...
WePC is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
FromSoftware’s games are renowned for their brutal, punishing difficulty. From Lordran to Yharnam to The Lands Between, these games are full of monstrosities waiting to grind you into paste. But it’s important to note while challenging, these games are never unfair. Sure, you might come up against eldritch horrors and tragic fallen heroes, but you won’t do so unarmed. Each FromSoft game has specific techniques that players can use to turn the tables on their foes. Sekiro has its Postures and Parries. Bloodborne bestows you with Visceral Attacks. And now Elden Ring has the Guard Counter.
Guard Counter: What is it?
The guard counter is an extremely powerful counterattack. When you block an incoming attack in Elden Ring, you can then counter with a blow aimed at breaking the foe’s stance. Once their stance is broken, they are left wide open for a devastating follow-up attack. This will be familiar to FromSoft fans that played through Sekiro. Though Guard Counters are not exactly the same as Sekiro’s deflects.
As with any mechanic of this type, using the Guard Counter is not without risk. It will almost always be easier to dodge than to perform a Guard Counter. But through constantly dodging, you are neglecting some of the strongest tools in your Elden Ring arsenal.
While well-timed dodges do prevent you from being damaged, Guard Counters both negate incoming damage and let you deal a hefty amount back in return. It is up to the player when they think it is worth the risk to attempt one.
Keep in mind, while Guard Counters do deal a heavy chunk of posture damage, they do not always result in an instant posture break. Some foes will be able to withstand multiple counters before you finally break through their defenses.
How to Guard Counter in Elden Ring
Thankfully, Guard Counters are rather simple to pull off in Elden Ring, they just require reflexes and nerves.
To Guard Counter, first, you must block an enemy’s attack. Then, immediately after the attack is blocked, use your Strong attack. If performed correctly, you will receive a visual and audio indicator that the counter was successful.
Unlike parrying, the timing of the block itself does not matter. Your guard can be up for as long as you like. All that matters is that the Block is successful, and the follow-up Strong Attack is well-timed.
The initial console bindings for Block and Strong Attack in Elden Ring are as follows:
Block: L1/LB
Strong Attack: R2/RT
Be sure to make the most of Guard Counters as you journey through the Lands Between in Elden Ring!
More Elden Ring content
We’ve been waiting to get our hands on Fromsoft’s Elden Ring for so long, we almost can’t believe it’s finally arrived! We’ll be here to walk you through every step of your journey through the Lands Between. Join us for all our Elden Ring content over the coming days and weeks and check out our guide to all the starter classes in Elden Ring before you leave.
