I for one have not had much success with parry-slash or counterstrike when its triggered for me in fights, although I cant seem to make myself give up on them. Id love to find a way for counterstrike to be successful... I think my problem is with the triggers... by the time it triggers im already torn to pieces. The damage is just too high for them to work... the big guys hitting for 200-300 damage in one huge shot... well... you cant miss a single parry or your toast.