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Elden Ring Nightreign

How to Guard Counter

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Elden Ring Nightreign - How to Guard Counter

Guard Counters are counterattacks done by performing a Strong Attack after a successful guard in Elden Ring Nightrein. Learn how to use Guard Counters, their effects and benefits, and how you can buff them.

List of Contents

How to Guard Counter

Do a Heavy Attack After a Guard Hit

Xbox
XBOX - Left Bumper.png (Hold) → On Guard Hit: XBOX - Right Trigger.png
LB → RT
PS
PS4 - L1 Button.png (Hold) → On Guard Hit: PS4 - R2 Button.png
L1 → R2
PC
Right Click (Hold) → On Guard Hit: Ctrl Button + Left Click
Right Click → Ctrl + Left Click

Guard Counters are counterattacks done by performing a Strong Attack as soon as you successfully Guard an attack. Time Guard Counters within the second after taking the hit, NOT as you are about to be hit.

Guard Counters will have a noticeable sharp sound cue when performed. Note that you can still be interrupted by an attack during a Guard Counter if you do not have enough poise.

How to Guard (Block)

Can Use Guard Counter from Shields and Two-Handed Guards

Guard Counter Compatible Weapons

All Guard Counters can be performed from a successful guard with a shield or a guard done while two-handing a weapon. Note that not all weapons, when two-handed, can perform a Guard Counter.

How to Two-Hand Weapons

Cannot Guard Counter while Two-Handing Staffs, Seals, and Ranged Weapons

You cannot Guard Counter with Staffs, Sacred Seals, and all Bow/Ranged types (Bow, Ballistae, Crossbow, and Greatbows).

For Staffs and Sacred Seals, you can still perform regular guards by two-handing them. Not for all Bow/Ranged types, however, since the off-hand button while two-handed becomes reserved for aiming. Guarding can still done normally with the shield on the off-hand as long as these weapons are not two-handed.

Cannot Guard Counter on Flip Guards or Guard Breaks

Flip Guards, or guards where you take a knockback strong enough to send you into a flip (usually caused by very strong attacks), will not allow you to perform Guard Counters afterwards.

Guard Breaks, where you are locked temporarily in a stunned animation if your stamina is emptied after taking an attack with a guard, will also not allow you top perform Guard Counters. Guard breaks have a noticeable 'breaking' sound cue.

Guardian Can Use Charged Guard Counter

To perform the Charged Guard Counter, hold the Guard Counter input until the Guardian starts charging forward. This only works on Halberds.

The Guardian has a special perk for performing Guard Counters with Halberds – a charged counterattack that is stronger than a regular Guard Counter. To do this, simply perform a Guard Counter and hold the input as if you were holding a Strong Attack or charging a Skill.

Guardian Best Build, Weapons, and Relics Guide

Guard Counter Effects and Benefits

Bonus Poise Damage

Guard Counters are good sources for dealing poise damage in addition to attacks from heavier weapons and skills, leading to easy poise breaks (stance breaks) against most enemy mobs.

Once an enemy is poise-broken by your Guard Counter, you can approach and follow-up with a critical hit!

How to Get Critical Hits

How to Buff Guard Counters

Get Dormant Powers, Passives, and Talismans

Above video showcases a Guard Counter against Gnoster. The holy effect that comes after is a buff from a Dormant Power.

Guard Counters are buffed in Elden Ring Nightreign by getting Guard Counter buffs from Dormant Powers or weapon passives. Effects from these buffs can range from increased Guard Counter damage to extra effects.

Guard Counters can also be buffed through Talismans such as the Curved Sword Talisman. Guard Counter damage will naturally scale up as you get physical damage buffs and increase in level.

Elden Ring Nightreign Related Guides

Elden Ring Nightreign - Tips and Tricks Partial

Beginner Guide to Nightreign

All Tips and Tricks Guides

Exploration Guides
Rune Farming Guide What to Do on Days 1 and 2
Max Level Guide and How to Level Up Fast How to Add Pins on the Map
Night's Tide (Circle): Blue Flame Explained -
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Best and Recommended Settings List of All Controls
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How to Upgrade Weapons How to Recover and Increase FP
How to Charge Your Ultimate Gauge How to Farm and Get Relics
How to Kill Skeletons How to Get More Flasks
How to Change Weapons How to Get Murk
How to Revive and Rescue Allies Should You Buy Scenic Flatstones?
How to Dual Wield How to Lock On
How to Dash and Sprint How to Wall Jump and Climb Walls
How to Two-Hand Weapons How to Pick Up and Use Items
How to Heal and Increase Health Weight and Item Carry Limits Explained
Combat Tips How to Get Legendary Weapons
List of All Character Skills List of All Ultimate Arts
How to Get Critical Hits How to Find the Oldest Gaol
Small Jar Bazaar Best Items to Buy How to Unlock Dark Souls Skins
How to Parry How to Guard Counter
Raid Events Guide List of Random Map Events
How to Duplicate Weapons How to Dodge Roll
How to Get Memory Fragments Attack Affinities and Element Guide
How to Guard (Block) How to Find Sacred Seals and Incantations
Are Boluses Permanent? List of Unlockables
How to Get Sovereign Sigils -
Stat Guides
All Stats Explained Buffs and Status Effects
What Does Dexterity Do? What Does Vigor Do?
What Does Mind Do? What Does Endurance Do?
What Does Strength Do? What Does Intelligence Do?
What Does Faith Do? What Does Arcane Do?
What is Poise? Effects of Resistances
Character Skill Guides
What Does Restage Do? What Does Retaliate Do?
What Does Totem Stela Do? What Does Cursed Sword Do?
What Does Magic Cocktail Do? -
Roundtable Hold Guides
Roundtable Hold Guide How to Unlock the Dresser
Sparring Grounds Collector Signboard
FAQs
Leave Penalty Death Penalty: What Happens When You Die?
Is There Character Customization? Is There PC Controller Support?
Are Loots and Drops Shared? Can You Play the Same Class?
Can You Pause the Game? Does Nightreign Have Fall Damage?
How Long To Beat How to Change Skins
Difficulty Level Explained: Is Elden Ring Too Hard? How to Sell Relics
Can you Sell Items? How to Use the Bed
How to Recover Dropped Runes How to Skip Cutscenes
How to Change Language All Postgame Unlockables
How to Reconnect and Play Online How to Rename Your Character
Where to Find Holy Weapons Weapon Scaling Explained
How to Break Stone Statues How to Quit a Run
Can You Keep Weapons? How to Replay Tutorial
What Does The Items Confer Effect Do? What Are Post-Damage Attacks?
What Is the Initial Standard Attack Effect? What Carries Over?
Is There a New Game Plus? Where Is the Crypt?
Is There Voice Chat? What Is Thrusting Counterattack?

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