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Having spent time with this acclaimed title, or nearly any third-person combat game, you're likely familiar with the wonderful feature referred to as the “dodge roll.” This avoidance maneuver enables your hero to carry out a forward, sideways, or backward ground roll to avoid any enemy attacks and move away from the bad guy. Seems useful, right?

This rolling move, however, has received significant backlash, not simply due to the tumbling; it's been called foolish, a cheap tactic, and an implausible action — and in some cases, I agree. You should see me somersaulting past local Doppler gangs in a well-known fantasy game — can't touch this Geralt! But the title's rolling dodge stands as the roll to surpass every other rolling dodges, and here's the reason.

In Elden Ring's case, the creators discovered an excellent method to respond to all views suggesting the technique is too easy: simply give all foes unreasonable strength, increase it further, and all heroes who ventures close them will feel immensely thankful thanks to their rolling skill, myself included. With so much on the line, pulling off a perfect dodge seems like an accomplishment, not a cheat.

No other evasion method in this RPG approaches this feeling of accomplishment and reliability, because swift moves provide minimal movement and guard stances are easily broken by powerful foes. A person once suggested leaping as the primary game avoidance strategy, but aside from not providing ideal movement, I couldn't understand how taking a crushing hit would improve my chances of defeating bosses (skill issue, perhaps).

Perfecting the Skill

But even though the rolling dodge offers respite in an otherwise brutal game, it demands ability. To begin with, Elden Ring's rolling dodge merely initiates a period of immunity following you release the roll control, which hinders a quick, panicky escape from dangerous scenarios. Additionally, even though it can carry you off from foes, it's far more effective to utilize it as a moment to get closer, preferably behind the opponent, and land some hits. And, finally, it remains necessary to understand and anticipate enemy attacks, as dodging at the start of an extended wind-up could conclude your immunity before the blow lands… which will seriously hurt.

A Balanced Mechanic

Although evasion-rolling in fast repetition may look a bit ridiculous (kudos to the Witcher anew), this isn't truly feasible in the game. Naturally, that doesn't render it a believable battle technique — which is precisely why it would be pure horror to experience it in a product like Kingdom Come: Deliverance — yet we're discussing a spectacular magical game we're talking about, so who cares?

Similar to any respectable dodge roll, Elden Ring's dodge motion is enhanced with a brief tumbling leap at the beginning, giving it an energetic feel as opposed to dropping the character on the floor. According to your loadout, the maneuver might appear incredibly quick or moderately cumbersome, yet it's always quicker and smoother than the evasion moves featured in Dark Souls. True, you may embed your oversized sword in the dirt if you're carrying one, but that's your own fault for avoiding a crossbow (I'm joking — steer clear of Elden Ring with a crossbow).

The Perfect Balance

Elden Ring's dodging mechanic creates the perfect balance between challenge and opportunity, offering hope of victory while threatening to take that hope away at the tiniest misstep. Perfect this move, and you'll be rewarded with not just victory, but fulfillment.