If you are with a team, then they block and parry and you use special attack. They should be masters at parrying by time you get to snow. Just standing and blocking from the mountains forward is a death sentence. Don't do it. Learn the parry at grey dwarf spawns or skeles, especially 2stars. And trolls, abominations all are great for learning to parry in combat situation when you might feel stressed and start to button mash. Timing is everything.