Learn the enemy, not a universal timer
Use an isolated low-risk opponent to identify the start of its committed swing. Defend first, then punish the recovery with a short sequence. Long combos are unsafe until you know whether the target has a delayed follow-up or nearby allies can interrupt.
Preserve an exit
Keep enough stamina or equivalent combat resources to reposition. Camera control and spacing become part of defense when multiple opponents overlap. A parry guide can describe useful cues, but latency, animation variation, and difficulty settings mean your own confirmed timing is the final reference.