Nine Sols Parrying Mechanic Explained

Nine Sols uses significant inspiration from various Souls-like games, emphasizing commitment-driven combat, a death loop, and overall challenging yet fair difficulty. One particular homage is to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice’s parry system, which allows players to deflect attacks and disrupt enemy poise.

Although similar to Sekiro’s mechanic, Nine Sols features a distinctive parrying system that requires some understanding to master effectively. 

How Parrying Works In Nine Sols

The parrying system in Nine Sols may seem straightforward at first: face the enemy, press the parry button just before an attack lands, and you’ll deflect it without taking damage. If you parry too early, you’ll still take damage, which will regenerate over time, while parrying too late results in normal damage. Ranged attacks can also be parried once you unlock the relevant skill, but remember you can only parry one attack at a time, so dodging is your best bet if you're surrounded.

This is just the basic layer of the parrying system, as it becomes more intricate with Sekiro-like elements. Not all attacks can be parried. When an enemy performs a "non-parryable" attack, it will glow red, signaling that you need to dodge instead.

Thankfully, if you successfully parry a standard attack, you can use a counter or riposte with items called talismans; the last layer of parrying in this game. After a successful parry, you'll accumulate one talisman. By pressing the talisman button, Yi will rush past the stunned enemy and place a talisman on them.

Holding down the talisman button will cause it to explode after a short delay. Be aware that holding the button to build up the explosion leaves you vulnerable to other attacks, so use this tactic cautiously, especially in groups of enemies.

Parrying Tips For Nine Sols

Effective parrying in Nine Sols largely hinges on timing. Look for the white flash that enemies emit just before they attack; timing your parry to this flash is often the most reliable method for a perfect parry or at least a partially successful one. Some enemies with longer swing animations might require you to parry slightly after the flash, but with practice, you’ll learn the timing for each enemy type.

Additionally, using a parry followed by placing a talisman without detonating it can be a strategic way to reposition yourself, as Yi will rush past the enemy to the opposite side. This can help you escape tight corners or reposition to deal with other threats.

Rebinding the controls might also make parrying more comfortable, though this is a matter of personal preference. Lastly, obtaining the Qi Boost Skill is recommended as it allows you to store two talismans instead of one. This lets you dodge as needed while still keeping a talisman for a safer moment to use it.

Ultimately, mastering the parrying system in Nine Sols requires practice, but with the knowledge of these mechanics, you'll be well-equipped to become a skilled parry master with time and patience.