🔗 Share this article

If you've played this acclaimed title, or just about any action-adventure title, you're probably well-versed in the glorious technique referred to as the “dodge roll.” This defensive move lets your avatar to perform a forward, sideways, or backward somersault to avoid all incoming damage and move away from foes. Seems useful, doesn't it?

This rolling move, nevertheless, has received plenty of criticism, not simply because of the rolling; it's been labeled unintelligent, a easy way out, and an implausible action — and sometimes, I agree. You should see me rolling around local Doppler gangs in a well-known fantasy game — they can't hit me! But the title's evasion move represents the evasion to top all dodge rolls rolling dodges, and let me explain.

For this particular game, the designers identified an excellent method to address all opinions suggesting the technique is overly simple: simply give all foes overwhelming force, multiply it, and each player character who dares come near them will feel immensely thankful thanks to their rolling skill, I'm no exception. Given the intense difficulty, successfully rolling to victory feels like an achievement, rather than a cheap trick.

No different defensive move in Elden Ring approaches this sense of satisfaction and consistency, as quick dashes don't cover much ground and blocking attempts get quickly shattered by strong enemies. One player advised hopping as the main game avoidance strategy, but besides failing to offer optimal placement, It wasn't clear to me receiving a fatal blow could enhance my odds of overcoming challenges (skill issue, perhaps).

Mastering the Technique

But even though the rolling dodge provides relief in a famously difficult title, it demands ability. First of all, the game's evasion move merely initiates a frame of protection after you stop pressing the dodge button, which hinders a quick, panicky escape from dire situations. Additionally, while it might transport you away from foes, it's much better to utilize it as a moment to advance, optimally at their back, and deliver attacks. In conclusion, it remains necessary to grasp and foresee opponent moves, as dodging at the start of an extended wind-up may end your invincibility prior to the hit connecting… which will seriously hurt.

A Balanced Mechanic

Although evasion-rolling in fast repetition could appear somewhat silly (give it up for Geralt again), this isn't truly feasible in Elden Ring. Of course, that fails to transform it into a believable combat move — the very cause why it would be dreadful to experience it in a product like a realism-focused RPG — but this is a spectacular magical game we're talking about, thus why worry?

Comparable to any well-executed evasion move, this title's rolling animation is enhanced with a little somersault-y hop at the beginning, providing a dynamic sensation rather than plopping the player on the floor. According to your loadout, the maneuver might appear extremely nimble or moderately cumbersome, yet it's always faster and more fluid than the rolling dodges used in the previous titles. Admittedly, you will stick your big blade on the floor if you're carrying one, but that's your responsibility for avoiding alternative arms (In jest — steer clear of the game using ranged options).

The Perfect Balance

Elden Ring's dodging mechanic forms an optimal harmony between challenge and opportunity, granting chances of triumph while endangering that very prospect at the tiniest misstep. Learn this skill, and you'll be rewarded with not just victory, but satisfaction.