How to Use Guard Counters in Elden Ring

In Elden Ring, block an enemy hit and press strong attack shortly afterward to perform a guard counter. The game plays a distinct sound and animation when you get it right. Choose an opening after a swing or combo you can safely finish blocking. The counter leaves you exposed during its attack, so answering the first hit of a long combo can get you hit by the next one.

Perform your first guard counter

1. Equip a shield or weapon you can guard with. Check your Guard and Strong Attack inputs before fighting.
2. Find a single manageable enemy and give yourself room to step away.
3. Face the attack and hold Guard before it connects. Watch your stamina when the blow lands.
4. Press Strong Attack shortly after the block. Listen for the counter cue and check for the distinct follow-up attack.
5. Back away or recover after the animation. Repeat until you can distinguish the counter from an ordinary heavy attack.

Practice with a shield you can use effectively. Check the requirements and defensive stats on the equipment screen. If the blocked attack still damages you, inspect the shield and the damage type. Guarding an attack doesn't guarantee that all its damage disappears.

Keep enough stamina to block and answer. Holding guard through several hits can leave too little for the counter or for movement afterward. Use the first few attempts to learn how much the enemy's attack costs you. If it empties the bar, choose a lighter attack to practice against or use a different defense.

Counter when the enemy gives you time

Watch the enemy's combo before deciding when to press. A quick second strike can arrive before your counter lands. Block or avoid the sequence and answer the last hit when the enemy pauses. If the enemy varies its timing, watch for the recovery rather than assuming every combo ends at the same count.

For example, if a soldier attacks twice and then takes a visible pause, wait through the first swing. Guard the second one with stamina left and counter as it finishes. If the same enemy sometimes adds another hit, leave enough space to recognize the difference before committing.

A guard counter needs a target in reach. A blocked projectile can give you an opportunity to press the input, but the follow-up still has to reach the enemy. If the target moves away or ends far past you, use the opening to reposition instead of swinging at empty space.

Use stance damage when the opening allows it

Guard counters can contribute to breaking an enemy's stance. Watch for the enemy to stagger and check whether you have time and position for a critical hit. Move to the valid side of the target before using the critical attack. An ordinary stagger and a critical opening can look different depending on the enemy.

Don't force another counter solely because you expect a stance break. If the attack would drain your stamina or the enemy has started a dangerous follow-up, get to safety. You can use a mixture of safe attacks and counters when the encounter gives you room to do both.

Compare weapons if the counter feels slow. Different attack animations affect when and where the strike lands. Try the same enemy and opening with the weapon you intend to use. Choose the result you can reproduce, especially if you are changing from a fast weapon to a heavier one.

Fix a heavy attack or a broken guard

If a normal heavy attack comes out, check that you actually blocked a hit and pressed within the follow-up window. Repeat on a single enemy and look for the confirmation sound. If your guard broke, recover first and try again with more stamina or a more suitable attack to block.

If you perform the counter and still take a hit, look at when the enemy started its next swing. You may have used the right input at the wrong opening. Wait for the last attack or create distance. If you repeatedly miss the enemy, check spacing and facing after the block.

Start with one recognizable attack. Learn to block it, counter it, and recover safely. Once that sequence works, use the same checks on a more complicated enemy instead of treating every successful block as a reason to swing.