Dodging & Parrying

Master dodging and parrying in 1384 Ex Voto. Time your evasions and blocks to stagger foes and execute powerful ripostes against spectral enemies.

In the high-stakes encounters of 1384 Ex Voto, the ability to evade and deflect incoming attacks is as crucial as landing your own. Dodging, typically executed with a quick directional input, allows you to momentarily become invulnerable, phasing through attacks and repositioning yourself for a counter-offensive or to create distance. Mastering the timing of your dodges is essential; a premature dodge will leave you vulnerable as the enemy's attack connects, while a delayed dodge might mean taking unnecessary damage. Each dodge will likely consume a portion of your stamina, so spamming the dodge button without consideration for your stamina bar can lead to a critical situation where you are unable to evade a follow-up assault. Learning the tells of enemy attacks—the wind-up animations, the vocal cues, the visual indicators—will allow you to anticipate their strikes and time your dodges with precision.

Parrying, a more advanced defensive maneuver, involves timing a block or a specific button press just as an enemy's attack is about to land. A successful parry will often stagger the attacker, leaving them open to a devastating riposte, a powerful counter-attack that can deal significant damage and potentially break their guard. Parrying requires a deeper understanding of enemy attack timings and a higher degree of precision than dodging. While a successful parry can be incredibly rewarding, a mistimed parry will result in taking full damage, often with the added penalty of being stunned or knocked down. Some enemies might have unparriable attacks, indicated by a distinct visual cue or animation, which must be dodged or blocked. The risk-reward of parrying is significant; mastering it can turn the tide of difficult battles, allowing you to turn an enemy's aggression against them. It's recommended to practice parrying against weaker, predictable enemies first to build muscle memory before attempting it on more dangerous foes. Experiment with different weapon types, as some may offer faster or more forgiving parry windows.