Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 | How To Parry, Counter, Gun Strike and Execute Finishers

The release of Space Marine 2 is just around the corner, and we have early access to the game. It looks like a lot of fun; the combat appears gruesome and nuanced. The game can be pretty tough, even at the lower difficulties, if you don't regularly use the Parry, Counter, and Execute mechanics in combat. Here's what you need to keep in mind while on the battlefield.

 

Parrying Attacks

 

To parry an attack, you will need to press L1 or C on the mouse and keyboard, allowing you to block attacks if your timing is somewhat wrong. Pay attention to blue indicators that show up while an enemy is attacking; those are special attacks that can be parried—and from weaker enemies, they can be instant-killed. Keep in mind that you don't always need a blue indicator to parry, though, of course, special attacks with a red indicator cannot be parried and have to be dodged.

 

Perfect Parries

 

To perfectly parry, you need to time it very specifically. If you time a parry just right or parry a special indicated in blue, the enemy will stagger. In this state, they are highly susceptible to your counterattack, sometimes leading to damaging follow-throughs.

 

Gun Strikes

 

When an enemy is staggered or dodged an indicated attack at the last moment, you can input a gun strike with R2. You can also begin a gun strike off of a heavy attack performed by holding down R1 or the right bumper or by clicking the left mouse button. When executed, your Space Marine will draw his sidearm and deliver a lethal shot to the enemy's face, instantly killing them or leaving them open to a finisher.

Gun strikes against the weak can only be performed after a heavy attack and never after a parry. You need to see that red reticle that pops up on their head, signaling a gun strike at just the right time. This also refills some of your armor upon execution post-heavy attack.

 

Perfect Dodges

 

Another useful method is to make perfect dodges at the right time. Perfect dodges can be done by moving out of the way of your incomings with perfect timing. This move is usually good when fighting against bigger foes like Tyranid Warriors or stronger enemies. A gun strike can be done after a perfect dodge to deal heavy damage.

 

Finishers

 

Once an enemy is in a near-death situation, you can execute it by pressing the R3 button or E on mouse and keyboard, giving you invincibility frames and refilling one pip of your armor, making executions both tactical and brutal. You will know an enemy is ready for execution when they appear dazed and flash red. Just approach them, wait for the button, and finish them off.

Also, check out our review of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 and other guides below.

- Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Beginner's Class Guide
- Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 | Early Game Guide & Tips