A Parry, And A Fail

So my recent attempt at doing something "new" is not going so well. I am trying to kill Gwyn on NG+++++ using only Parrying. I have tried multiple times, and although getting very close to killing him, I end up dying too easily.

My setup for this fight is: Giant's set with Mask of the Child, Sunlight Shield (for parrying), and a Fire Gargoyle's Halberd +10 with Hornet Ring (which does more damage to him on a parry than a +15 with Sunlight Blade).

Each parry is doing around 1635 damage to him. But the thing is, I cant time each one of his attacks to fit with a parry, which leads to me getting hurt, which leads to me dying in about 3-4 hits at 99 vitality.

Now my question is...... is there a certain weapon that will provide me with more damage with each Parry, prefferably without a buff? And is there a better armor setup, or easier way to aviod getting hurt so easily?

Rapiers. That's a start.
Outside of rapiers though, use the spell flash sweat to increase your survivability.

Maybe a faster shield will help you? Try the Heater shield, which has decent fire protection. I personally always beat him with a parrying dagger, so you could try that too. And the weapon isn't really a big concern. Use whatever you have that hits him the hardest on a riposte, and parry him however many times you need to.

Up close, Gwyn has 3 attacks: a fast 1-handed greatsword slash, a medium speed 2-handed slash, and a slow left-handed grab attack. Both the sword attacks start from his right side. So when you're close, I recommend just watching what he does on his right side. If it's a fast or medium speed sword attack, and you're watching for it, you shouldn't have a hard time parrying it. And if it's his slow grab attack, even if you're watching for a sword attack, you'll have plenty of time to see it and dodge out of the way. But if you're looking out for the grab attack and he does a sword attack, you probably won't have time to react. So focus on the sword and you'll be ready for whatever he throws at you.

As for gear, the most important thing for me is to get myself some poise. Since I use the parrying dagger, if I miss, it's important that I don't get stun-locked, because that means instant death. >53 poise is plenty. I like to be just under 50% weight, but fat roll is probably alright also. The only time you'll be moving is to avoid the grab attack--which leaves you plenty of time to dodge--so roll speed is not an issue in this fight. For me, the only really important thing is poise. Defense isn't all that big a deal either, since you can heal right after you've riposted him. If you miss a few parries, keep trying until you get it, then heal when he's on the ground. You have just enough time to flask before he gets back up and then you can parry again.

Keep parrying and healing when he's on the ground, and the fight is really easy. Just watch out for the fast or medium speed sword hits--if he tries to grab, you'll have time to roll away.

Rynn wrote:Rapiers. That's a start.
Outside of rapiers though, use the spell flash sweat to increase your survivability.

A rapier will not do as much damage as the Fire Gargoyle Halberd+10. Plus, I am looking more for a weapon that does not involve buffing. Also, remember that I am trying to parry, not kill him with quick jabs.

BLA1NE wrote:Maybe a faster shield will help you? Try the Heater shield, which has decent fire protection. I personally always beat him with a parrying dagger, so you could try that too. And the weapon isn't really a big concern. Use whatever you have that hits him the hardest on a riposte, and parry him however many times you need to.

Up close, Gwyn has 3 attacks: a fast 1-handed greatsword slash, a medium speed 2-handed slash, and a slow left-handed grab attack. Both the sword attacks start from his right side. So when you're close, I recommend just watching what he does on his right side. If it's a fast or medium speed sword attack, and you're watching for it, you shouldn't have a hard time parrying it. And if it's his slow grab attack, even if you're watching for a sword attack, you'll have plenty of time to see it and dodge out of the way. But if you're looking out for the grab attack and he does a sword attack, you probably won't have time to react. So focus on the sword and you'll be ready for whatever he throws at you.

As for gear, the most important thing for me is to get myself some poise. Since I use the parrying dagger, if I miss, it's important that I don't get stun-locked, because that means instant death. >53 poise is plenty. I like to be just under 50% weight, but fat roll is probably alright also. The only time you'll be moving is to avoid the grab attack--which leaves you plenty of time to dodge--so roll speed is not an issue in this fight. For me, the only really important thing is poise. Defense isn't all that big a deal either, since you can heal right after you've riposted him. If you miss a few parries, keep trying until you get it, then heal when he's on the ground. You have just enough time to flask before he gets back up and then you can parry again.

Keep parrying and healing when he's on the ground, and the fight is really easy. Just watch out for the fast or medium speed sword hits--if he tries to grab, you'll have time to roll away.

I have 99 Endurance and plenty of poise with my armor setup, so rolling is not an issue. For me, I never seem to be able to heal fast enough before he attacks me again, and when he does hit me with an attack, it takes down about 1/3 of my health, so iI end up needing to find a safe area to heal. Also remember that I am on NG+++++, so his attacks will hurt more than usual.

NG or NG+Infinity, doesn't matter when you parry. All it means is you need to parry more times before he dies. Technique is the same. If you take a hit, flask as soon as you've finished the riposte and you'll have time to parry after he's gotten up again.

BLA1NE wrote:NG or NG+Infinity, doesn't matter when you parry. All it means is you need to parry more times before he dies. Technique is the same. If you take a hit, flask as soon as you've finished the riposte and you'll have time to parry after he's gotten up again.

Thats the thing though, if I miss on both of his fast attacks, one more hit and I am done for. I almost have to be perfect at parrying to do this, or get extremely lucky. Based on my past attempts, its going to take atleast 5 parry attacks to kill him, so thats five parry attacks, while dodging his left hand move, and while avioding getting hurt. Maybe its not worth it........ I guess I will keep trying though.

Hornets Ring + Chaos Bandit Knife = Raep

Hornets + rapier = uber damage.

Hornets + Great Club or DGA = Bone crushing splat into nothingness. A CMW buffed one will OHK anything.

Dark Spirit EliteBiker20 wrote:

Rynn wrote:Rapiers. That's a start.
Outside of rapiers though, use the spell flash sweat to increase your survivability.

A rapier will not do as much damage as the Fire Gargoyle Halberd+10. Plus, I am looking more for a weapon that does not involve buffing. Also, remember that I am trying to parry, not kill him with quick jabs.

+5 Chaos Rapier wit HR will outdamage the Gargoyle halberd with a parry

Ever since i saw that Japanese speed run i parry him every fight. Actually he is easier to parry then the starting hollows that have an odd and delayed swing...stupid hollows making me flask.

well its not your equipment, from what you are saying tis your timing that needs polishing so just practice a bit with the knights and you should get it...
looking at his shoulder helps...