Sifu’s score multiplier is exploitable, for example, and there are often interactibles in the environment that players can kick or throw to get the upper hand. However, these nuances come with experience and are only truly beneficial once players have also mastered Sifu’s core combat mechanics. There is an art to offensive strikes, but true refinement of the combat comes from learning how to defensively parry, dodge, and block attacks.
RELATED: Sifu Trophy Data Proves Why Accessibility Options Are Important
How to Parry, Dodge, and Block in Sifu
In order to parry attacks in Sifu, players must time a block perfectly in response to an enemy’s attack. The timing on parries is not the same from enemy to enemy and takes precision to master reliably. Players will know when they have successfully parried an enemy’s attack due to a visual indicator that glows red where the strike was parried.
On common mob enemies, this will leave the enemy stunned for a short while and open to counterattacks. Not all attacks can be deflected, but successful parries in Sifu inflict a great deal of Structure bar damage.
In order to dodge attacks in Sifu, there are a number of important options to consider. There is a dash that quickly shuffles the player about with the R2 button on PS4 or PS5, and Shift on PC. But the dash is rather ineffective in combat as enemies rush players faster than they can dash away. Instead, players want to hold L1 on PS4 or PS5, and Spacebar on PC. Then, players must use the d-pad or movement keys to dodge in a particular direction and avoid attacks. This is how to best evade attacks in Sifu that break the player’s guard and Structure bar.
In order to block attacks in Sifu, players must simply hold the same button or key used to dodge, without moving in any particular direction. This will guard players from immediate health bar damage. However, blocked attacks deal a great amount of damage to the player’s Structure bar, which eventually breaks and deals significant damage to the player’s health.
Reckless blocking is rarely advised in Sifu unless players are attempting to stave off immediate damage or if their Structure bar is relatively high. Otherwise, parries and dodges are much more efficient in combat.
Parries, dodges, and blocks are all paramount to Sifu’s combat and have their respective places in each fight, but mastery of them all will produce a well-rounded play-style equipped to handle any opponent.
Sifu is available now on PC, PS4, and PS5.
MORE: Sifu Hands-On Preview: Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting
