Blocking in Souls games used to be for cowards. Or beginners. That was the "unspoken rule" for years. If you weren't rolling through a boss’s blade or landing a frame-perfect parry with a tiny buckler, you weren't really playing. Then Elden Ring dropped, and FromSoftware basically handed us a giant "actually, wait a second" in the form of the guard counter.
It’s simple. Effective. Kind of addictive.
Basically, you hold your block, wait for the thud of an enemy hitting your shield, and immediately slap the heavy attack button. You'll hear a distinct "ching" sound—almost like a bell—and your character will swing back with a move that hits like a freight train.
Honestly? It's the most underrated mechanic for anyone struggling with the sheer speed of Malenia or those relentless Banished Knights.
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The Secret Sauce: It’s All About Posture
If you’re just looking at the health bar, you’re missing the point. The real reason to use a guard counter Elden Ring style is to break an enemy's stance. Every enemy has an invisible "posture" meter. When it hits zero, they slump over, and you get that sweet, orange-glow critical hit.
A guard counter usually deals as much stance damage as a fully charged heavy attack.
Think about that. A charged R2 takes years to wind up. You’re wide open. But a guard counter? It comes out significantly faster because the "wind-up" happened while you were safely behind a wall of wood or steel. For most standard enemies, one or two counters is enough to put them on their knees. Even bosses like Margit or Morgott can only take about three or four of these before they buckle.
It changes the rhythm of the fight. Instead of panic-rolling away, you’re standing your ground. You’re the one dictating the pace.
Why Small Shields Often Fail
You can guard counter with anything. A dagger. A two-handed sword. A wooden plank. But should you?
Not really.
If you try to counter with a small shield or a bare weapon, you’re going to take "chip damage" (losing health through the block) and, more importantly, you’ll lose a massive chunk of stamina. If your stamina hits zero while blocking, you get "guard broken." You’ll stand there panting while the boss prepares to delete your save file.
If you want to make this work, you need a Greatshield. Or at least a Medium Shield with high "Guard Boost."
- Fingerprint Stone Shield: The king. It weighs a ton, but it turns you into a literal mountain.
- Brass Shield: Easily the best medium shield. You can find it early, and its Guard Boost is high enough to handle mid-game bosses.
- Golden Beast Crest Shield: Great for those who want a bit of style without the Fingerprint's weight.
Advanced Tech: The DLC Deflection Buff
If you’ve stepped into the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, the guard counter Elden Ring meta completely shifted. There’s a new item called the Deflecting Hardtear. You mix it into your Flask of Wondrous Physick, and for five minutes, you basically become a Sekiro protagonist.
If you time your block right as the attack hits (a "perfect block"), you take zero physical damage and almost no stamina loss.
But here is the kicker: it buffs your next guard counter.
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This effect stacks up to four times. If you perfect-block a boss’s four-hit combo and then let out a guard counter, the damage is astronomical. We’re talking an 80% damage boost. It makes weapons like the Black Steel Greathammer—which has a unique holy explosion on its guard counter—feel like a literal cheat code.
Don't Get Greedy
There is a trap here. New players often try to counter every single hit.
Big mistake.
Bosses in Elden Ring love long, delayed combos. If you try to counter after the first swing of a four-hit flurry, the boss will just smack you out of your animation. You have to learn the "ender." Wait for the slam, the big overhead, or the move where the boss clearly pauses. That is your window.
Building the Ultimate Counter Tank
To really make this playstyle shine, you can't just slap on a shield and hope for the best. You need the right trinkets.
The Curved Sword Talisman is non-negotiable. It gives a flat 20% damage boost to all guard counters. You can find it early in Stormveil Castle, tucked away in a dark room with a very annoyed Banished Knight.
Then there’s the Greatshield Talisman, which reduces the stamina damage you take when blocking. Combine these with the Spear Talisman if you’re using a thrusting weapon (like the Great Stars or a Pike). Since guard counters often hit the enemy while they are still technically in their attack animation, it counts as a "counter-thrust," giving you even more bonus damage.
It’s a specific kind of synergy. It turns the game from a high-speed dodge-fest into a methodical game of "hit me, I dare you."
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Actionable Next Steps for Your Build
Stop rolling for a second and try this instead. Go to the Gatefront Ruins in Limgrave. Find a lone Godrick Soldier. Hold L1 (or LB). Let him hit you. The moment you hear the clink, tap R2 (or RT).
Watch how fast his stance breaks.
If you're heading into the late game or the DLC, hunt down the Deflecting Hardtear from the first Furnace Golem you see in the Land of Shadow. It turns the guard counter Elden Ring mechanic from a defensive tool into your primary source of DPS. Just remember to keep an eye on that green stamina bar; a shield is only as good as the breath in your lungs.