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Having spent time with Elden Ring, or most other action-adventure title, chances are you're well-versed in the glorious mechanic referred to as the “dodge roll.” This evasion technique enables your hero to perform a forward, sideways, or backward somersault to evade incoming harm and gain space from foes. Appears practical, right?

This rolling move, however, has gotten a lot of flak, and not only because of the rolling; it's been called unintelligent, a easy way out, and an unbelievable technique — and in some cases, I concur. Picture me tumbling about nearby enemy groups in another popular RPG — they can't hit me! But the title's rolling dodge stands as the roll to surpass every other evasion moves, and here's the reason.

Regarding this title, the designers identified a clever approach to respond to all views claiming the maneuver is too easy: merely bestow all foes unreasonable strength, multiply it, and each player character who dares come near them will be eternally grateful for their dodge-roll ability, me included. Given the intense difficulty, evading successfully seems like an accomplishment, instead of an unfair advantage.

No other evasion method in Elden Ring comes close to this level of gratification and consistency, as quick dashes provide minimal movement and guard stances get quickly shattered by strong enemies. A person once suggested leaping as the primary Elden Ring dodging technique, but in addition to lacking ideal movement, I couldn't understand how receiving a fatal blow might boost my prospects of defeating bosses (lack of skill, maybe).

Learning the Move

Although the rolling dodge offers respite in an otherwise brutal game, it demands ability. To begin with, Elden Ring's dodge roll merely initiates a frame of protection following you stop pressing the roll control, which prevents a hasty, frantic retreat from perilous circumstances. Additionally, although it may move you aside from foes, it's much better to utilize it as a moment to advance, ideally to their rear, and deliver attacks. Lastly, you still need comprehend and predict enemy attacks, as dodging at the start of a prolonged preparation may end your invincibility before the blow lands… which will seriously hurt.

A Harmonious System

While dodge-rolling in fast repetition may look a bit ridiculous (give it up for Geralt again), this isn't truly feasible in Elden Ring. Of course, that still doesn't make it a plausible battle technique — the very cause why it would be pure horror to see it in a game like a realism-focused RPG — yet we're discussing a spectacular magical game being considered, thus why worry?

Comparable to any well-executed dodge roll, the game's dodge motion is spruced up with a brief tumbling leap at the start, giving it an energetic feel rather than plopping the player downward. According to your loadout, the technique may seem super agile or somewhat sluggish, but it remains faster and more fluid than the evasion moves found in Dark Souls. Admittedly, you may embed your big blade in the dirt while equipped with it, but that's your own fault for avoiding a crossbow (In jest — don't play the game with a crossbow).

Ideal Equilibrium

Elden Ring's evasion system forms an optimal harmony between difficulty and chance, granting chances of triumph while endangering that very prospect at the smallest error. Perfect this move, and you'll gain not just victory, but satisfaction.