I think the parry/riposte is going to be more difficult to pull off than you think. Sometimes people on YouTube make things that are difficult look easy.

But then I also didn't get that far in Bloodborne.

It's not easy but you can get good at it like anything else.

Personally I'm a huge fan of the parry mechanic in Bloodborne. Given that blocking basically doesn't exist, and back stabs are difficult to land in a fight, it is the best way to do critical damage. Also it feels really good when you hit it.

My advice, when you get the game try it. If you don't like it, or feel it makes the game too easy, stop using it.

The game is designed to fuck you over, so always take any advantage available to you. Plus the gun isn't going to help you on most bosses, so don't expect to just shoot up the place.

I only vote "Dont use" just cause I managed to get through with understanding it and not using it for the longest time. Mainly because I wasn't confident in the timing and all that jazz. Doesn't ruin the game if you use it or not.

I'm nearly done with NG+ and never bothered to learn how to do parries and if anything the game felt easy fast time through. Definitely seems like you can do without it.

There are some bosses you can parry/riposte (mainly in the Chalice Dungeons) and since it is an important part of the game mechanic, you should use it whenever possible.
Also, it makes the gameplay more fluid compared to the other Souls Games but still challenging.
Especially the higher Level Chalice Dungeons and the Old Hunter DLC are a beast.

I never use it against the hunter bosses because I think it makes them too easy, but obviously it's up to your discretion. Everything else feels reasonably balanced around it so go wild.

Naw man. Use it. My first time through the game I was having a hard time with a certain boss in a graveyard. I discovered parrying and it changed my life. There's just something incredibly satisfying about blowing that guy's asshole out with a well-placed shot.

Some people have a problem with it but I love finding ways to make difficult games easier. Sometimes that just means getting good or it means and getting good at doing one really effective skill.

I use it whenever possible, especially coupled with Caryll Runes that replenish health and bullets which become invaluable for dungeons. Having said that, parry/riposte is another a risk/reward mechanic in your toolkit. I've personally died many times attempting it where using dodge would've been the safer, albeit slower, route, but I still say the risk is worth it.

Depends on the boss, in Bloodborne it is your only defense option in certain situations so its not particularly scummy in any way (in Souls depending on the boss its the ultimate cheese since you're kind of reducing the game to an elaborate QTE instead of a spacing/movement thing); just try it when you need to but don't rely on it too much for bosses. Though certain regular enemies in BB you should probably always parry.