Barony How to Parry: The Complete Guide for Paladins

Learn Barony how to parry with the claymore and rapier. This guide covers timing, controls, and advanced strategies to master parrying.

Why Parrying Matters in Barony

Parrying in Barony isn't just a flashy combat trick—it's a game-changing defensive mechanic that can dramatically reduce the damage you take while opening up powerful counter-attack opportunities. If you've been struggling with the parry system, you're not alone. Many players find it confusing at first, but with the right approach, it becomes one of the most rewarding skills in the game.

The introduction of the Paladin class and the claymore in Barony's latest content update brought parrying to the forefront. Unlike traditional blocking with a shield, parrying requires precise timing and anticipation. When executed correctly, it provides superior protection and sets you up for devastating follow-up strikes.

Understanding the Parry Mechanics

What Makes Parrying Different from Blocking

The core difference between parrying and blocking in Barony comes down to timing and execution. With a shield, you simply hold the block button (Spacebar by default) and wait for enemies to attack. Parrying requires a two-step process:

Action	Shield Block	Parry (Claymore/Rapier)
Activation	Hold Spacebar	Hold Left Click + Press Spacebar
Timing	Continuous	Must be before enemy attack lands
Window	Indefinite	1-2 second animation window
Damage Reduction	Moderate	High (nearly 100% with perfect timing)
Counter Opportunity	Limited	Excellent (sets up charge attacks)

The Correct Input Sequence

To execute a parry in Barony, follow these steps:

Hold down Left Click (your attack button) to begin the parry stance
Press Spacebar while still holding Left Click to throw your sword up into a blocking position
Time it before the enemy's attack lands—not at the exact moment of impact

As demonstrated by content creator Mr. Moss in his parry tutorial, the key insight is that "you have to start the parry early rather than right at the same time as the attack." This is where most players get tripped up.

Mastering Parry Timing

The Anticipation Window

The parry window in Barony is approximately 1-2 seconds long, which means you need to begin your parry animation before the enemy's attack connects. This isn't a reactive reflex test—it's about reading enemy attack patterns and predicting when they'll strike.

Enemy Type	Attack Wind-Up	Recommended Parry Start	Difficulty
Rat	Short	When it rears back	Easy
Skeleton	Medium	When it raises its weapon	Medium
Spider	Variable	When it lunges forward	Medium
Mimic	Fast	Immediately when it opens	Hard
Boulder	Instant	Not recommended	Impossible

Common Timing Mistakes

Players often struggle with parrying because they treat it like a traditional parry from other games. Here are the most common errors:

Reacting instead of anticipating: Waiting to see the attack before pressing the parry button leaves you too late
Holding the parry too long: Unlike a shield, you can't maintain a parry stance indefinitely
Getting out of sync: Missing one parry can throw off your rhythm, leading to a cascade of failed blocks

Best Weapons for Parrying

Claymore (Paladin Starting Weapon)

The claymore is the primary weapon associated with parrying in Barony. It offers excellent range and damage potential when combined with successful parries.

Key Stats:

High base damage
Good attack range
Parry provides high AC (Armor Class) bonus
Pushes enemies to safe distance after successful parry

Rapier (Alternative Parry Weapon)

Community reports from the Steam forums indicate that the rapier offers unique advantages for parrying. According to player basketofseals, "It gives much higher AC than blocking, and pushes you to a safe distance. Ideally you can loop parry > charge attack > parry > charge attack."

Rapier Advantages:

Bonus charge attack modifiers
Parry damage always hits bats (a common nuisance enemy)
Faster attack speed than claymore
Compensates for minus basic attack modifiers

Feature	Claymore	Rapier
Base Damage	High	Medium
Attack Speed	Slow	Fast
Parry AC Bonus	Very High	High
Best For	Heavy hitting	Consistent parry loops
Starting Class	Paladin	Available through loot

Advanced Parry Strategies

The Parry-Charge Attack Loop

Once you've mastered the basic parry, you can develop a rhythm that keeps you safe while dealing consistent damage. The ideal sequence works like this:

Anticipate enemy attack and begin parry stance
Execute parry just before the attack lands
Follow up with a charge attack while the enemy is staggered
Reset to parry stance as the enemy recovers
Repeat the cycle

This loop is particularly effective against single enemies and can allow you to clear entire floors with minimal damage taken.

Using Divine Zeal with Parrying

The Paladin's Divine Zeal spell synergizes exceptionally well with parrying. This spell provides a 33% melee damage bonus against undead enemies, which includes skeletons—a common enemy type that normally resists sword damage.

Enemy Type	Normal Sword Damage	With Divine Zeal
Skeleton	Reduced	Normal + 33%
Zombie	Reduced	Normal + 33%
Ghost	Reduced	Normal + 33%
Living Enemy	Normal	Normal

Practice with Rats

If you're new to parrying, rats make excellent practice targets. They have clear attack animations, deal minimal damage if you miss a parry, and appear frequently on the first dungeon level. Mr. Moss recommends rats specifically, noting they have "a clear kind of animation about when they're going to attack" and that successful parries against them result in "zero damage."

When Not to Parry

Parrying isn't always the optimal choice. Here are situations where you should fall back to traditional blocking or avoid blocking altogether:

Multiple enemies: Parrying locks you into an animation that leaves you vulnerable to other attackers
Ranged enemies: Parry doesn't block projectiles effectively
Boss fights: Some boss attacks are too fast or unpredictable for reliable parrying
When low on health: The risk of mistiming a parry is too great

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I parry in Barony?

To parry in Barony, hold down the Left Click attack button, then press Spacebar while still holding Left Click. This initiates the parry animation with your claymore or rapier. The key is to start this sequence before the enemy's attack lands, not at the exact moment of impact.

Is parrying better than blocking with a shield?

Parrying offers higher damage reduction and pushes enemies to a safe distance, but requires precise timing. Shield blocking is more forgiving and can be maintained indefinitely. For experienced players, parrying is generally superior, but beginners should master shield blocking first.

Can I parry with any weapon in Barony?

No, only specific weapons have parry capabilities. The claymore (Paladin starting weapon) and rapier are the primary parry weapons. Other melee weapons rely on traditional shield blocking for defense.

What's the best enemy to practice parrying?

Rats are the best practice enemies because they have clear attack animations, deal minimal damage, and appear frequently on early dungeon levels. Once you're comfortable with rats, progress to skeletons and then faster enemies like spiders.