🔗 Share this article

For those who have experienced Elden Ring, or just about any 3D action game, you're probably acquainted with the fantastic technique known as the “rolling dodge.” This defensive move allows your character to carry out a front, lateral, or rearward somersault to avoid any enemy attacks and create distance from the bad guy. Appears practical, right?

This rolling move, though, has received plenty of criticism, and not just as a result of the somersault; some have dubbed it foolish, a cheap tactic, and an unrealistic move — and in some cases, I see the point. Just imagine me tumbling about local Doppler gangs in The Witcher 3 — they can't hit me! But Elden Ring's rolling dodge is the dodge roll to outdo all previous evasion moves, and let me explain.

For this particular game, the creators discovered a clever approach to address all opinions that the move is too easy: simply give each opponent excessive power, increase it further, and each player character who dares come near them will feel immensely thankful for their dodge-roll ability, me included. With so much on the line, evading successfully seems like an accomplishment, rather than a cheap trick.

No different defensive move in the game approaches this level of gratification and reliability, since rapid sprints offer limited distance and defensive postures are readily overcome by strong enemies. One player advised hopping as the main Elden Ring evasion method, but in addition to lacking ideal movement, I couldn't understand how getting my skull smashed in could enhance my odds of defeating bosses (lack of skill, maybe).

Learning the Move

Although this evasion move provides relief in a famously difficult title, it isn't without skill. Firstly, this title's evasion move merely initiates a frame of protection once you stop pressing the roll control, which prevents a hasty, frantic retreat from perilous circumstances. Additionally, even though it can transport you away from foes, it's significantly more useful to use it as an opportunity to advance, optimally at their back, and strike blows. And, finally, you still need grasp and foresee opponent moves, because rolling prematurely of a prolonged preparation may end your invincibility before the blow lands… causing significant harm.

A Balanced Mechanic

Although evasion-rolling in fast repetition might seem rather absurd (credit to Geralt once more), this isn't truly feasible in Elden Ring. Of course, that fails to transform it into a realistic battle technique — exactly the reason it would be dreadful to see it in a game like Kingdom Come: Deliverance — yet we're discussing a spectacular magical game being considered, thus why worry?

Like any proper rolling dodge, Elden Ring's dodge motion is improved by a small acrobatic jump at the commencement, offering a lively impression as opposed to dropping the character downward. Based on your equipment, the maneuver might appear incredibly quick or moderately cumbersome, however, it's consistently faster and more fluid than the rolling dodges featured in the previous titles. Certainly, you will stick your oversized sword into the ground when wielding such equipment, but that's your responsibility for not just playing alternative arms (I'm joking — avoid using the game with projectile weapons).

The Perfect Balance

The game's dodging mechanic creates the perfect balance between difficulty and chance, granting chances of triumph while endangering that very prospect at the smallest error. Perfect this move, and you'll obtain not only success, but gratification.