Master the Art of Parrying in Deadlock: Essential Tips and Strategies

Deadlock introduces a complex MOBA experience, blending a variety of combat mechanics with an extensive hero roster and itemization options. One key mechanic is parrying, a defensive skill crucial for countering melee attacks, which can be deadly in early-game fights—especially against heroes like Abrams, a close-range brawler. Parrying is essential for shutting him down effectively. Here's a guide on how to parry opponents in Deadlock.

How to Parry Opponents in Deadlock

Parrying in Deadlock is not overly complicated but is a fundamental skill for countering melee attacks. To parry, press the F key when an enemy is about to strike, stunning them for a few seconds. This crowd control ability temporarily disables the target and increases their vulnerability to melee damage, giving you the chance to land some free hits.

While parrying can be challenging to master in other games, Deadlock makes it more intuitive by providing visual cues and some leniency. When you activate the parry, your character will be enveloped by a blue shield, signaling that they are in parry mode. Any opponent, minion, or even a mid-boss that attempts a melee attack during this time will be stunned.

Minions will attack if you get too close, but their strikes are relatively easy to predict. The trickier part is identifying when an enemy hero is about to punch, as melee attacks require close proximity. Successful parrying often depends on your ability to read the battlefield and anticipate an enemy’s movement.

Additionally, heavy melee attacks have a clear charging animation, making them easier to parry. Watch for this animation and press F when you see an enemy gearing up for a punch. Heroes like Abrams, who rely on brute force, can be countered effectively with parries. However, if you fail to time the parry correctly, the skill will go on a five-second cooldown, marked by a red fist symbol near the stamina bar. You’ll have to wait until the cooldown ends to try again, meaning spamming the parry is not an option.

How to Counter Parrying in Deadlock

Using melee attacks against players who can parry can be risky unless you learn how to avoid it. The trick is to quickly flick your mouse to change the direction of your punch if you notice the opponent activating their parry.

Certain items in Deadlock, such as Debuff Remover and Unstoppable, are highly effective against crowd control. The Unstoppable item, in particular, is an active equipment piece that grants temporary immunity to stuns. By activating Unstoppable before launching a melee attack, you can avoid being parried altogether.