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If you've played this acclaimed title, or most other third-person combat game, you're probably acquainted with the fantastic feature known as the “dodge roll.” This avoidance maneuver allows your character to execute a front, lateral, or rearward tumble to dodge all incoming damage and move away from foes. Appears practical, wouldn't you say?

The evasion roll, however, has attracted a lot of flak, and not only because of the rolling; some have dubbed it dumb, a easy way out, and an implausible action — and occasionally, I see the point. You should see me tumbling about local Doppler gangs in a well-known fantasy game — untouchable! But the title's rolling dodge stands as the roll to surpass every other evasion moves, and here's the reason.

In Elden Ring's case, the designers identified a great way to address all opinions that the move is too easy: merely bestow every enemy unreasonable strength, multiply it, and all heroes who ventures close them will appreciate deeply thanks to their rolling skill, me included. When the stakes are this high, evading successfully comes across as a triumph, not a cheat.

No different defensive move in this RPG comes close to this sense of satisfaction and reliability, as quick dashes don't cover much ground and guard stances are readily overcome by powerful foes. Someone once recommended leaping as the primary game avoidance strategy, but in addition to lacking ideal movement, I couldn't understand how taking a crushing hit might boost my prospects of defeating bosses (skill issue, perhaps).

Learning the Move

But even though the dodge roll grants reprieve in a famously difficult title, it demands ability. To begin with, the game's rolling dodge just activates a period of immunity following you release the roll control, which stops a rapid, fearful withdrawal from dire situations. Furthermore, although it may carry you off from opponents, it's much better to utilize it as a moment to advance, ideally to their rear, and deliver attacks. In conclusion, it remains necessary to comprehend and predict enemy attacks, as dodging at the start of a prolonged preparation could conclude your immunity ahead of the attack striking… which will seriously hurt.

A Harmonious System

Even though rolling-dodging in fast repetition might seem rather absurd (give it up for Geralt again), this isn't practically possible in this title. Of course, that doesn't render it a plausible fighting maneuver — which is precisely why it would be pure horror to experience it in a product like a realism-focused RPG — but this is a dazzling imaginative experience being considered, therefore, it doesn't matter?

Like any proper evasion move, this title's dodge motion is spruced up with a small acrobatic jump at the start, providing a dynamic sensation instead of dropping the character on the floor. According to your loadout, the technique may seem super agile or relatively slow, but it remains quicker and smoother than the evasion moves used in the previous titles. True, you could plant your big blade in the dirt while equipped with it, but that's your own fault for avoiding alternative arms (Just kidding — steer clear of Elden Ring with a crossbow).

Optimal Harmony

This title's avoidance feature establishes an ideal equilibrium between obstacle and possibility, offering hope of victory while risking the loss of that hope at the smallest error. Learn this skill, and you'll gain not only success, but satisfaction.