🔗 Share this article

Having spent time with this acclaimed title, or nearly any third-person combat game, you're probably well-versed in the wonderful feature referred to as the “dodge roll.” This avoidance maneuver enables your hero to execute a forward, sideways, or backward ground roll to evade any enemy attacks and gain space 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; it's been called unintelligent, a cheap tactic, and an unbelievable technique — and occasionally, I concur. Picture me tumbling about local Doppler gangs in a well-known fantasy game — they can't hit me! But Elden Ring's rolling dodge represents the evasion to top all dodge rolls rolling dodges, and here's the reason.

For this particular game, the creators discovered a great way to counter all sentiments suggesting the technique is not challenging enough: simply give every enemy overwhelming force, increase it further, and every Tarnished who approaches them will feel immensely thankful because of their evasion move, myself included. With so much on the line, evading successfully seems like an accomplishment, instead of an unfair advantage.

No alternative avoidance technique in Elden Ring comes close to this sense of satisfaction and reliability, since rapid sprints provide minimal movement and defensive postures get quickly shattered by powerful foes. A person once suggested hopping as the main game avoidance strategy, but besides failing to offer perfect repositioning, I couldn't understand how getting my skull smashed in might boost my prospects of overcoming challenges (lack of skill, maybe).

Perfecting the Skill

While the rolling dodge provides relief in an incredibly challenging experience, it demands ability. Firstly, Elden Ring's dodge roll only triggers a period of immunity after you stop pressing the roll control, which hinders a hasty, frantic retreat from perilous circumstances. Additionally, even though it can move you aside from opponents, it's far more effective to use it as an opportunity to get closer, ideally to their rear, and land some hits. Lastly, you must still understand and anticipate opponent moves, as dodging at the start of an extended wind-up could conclude your immunity ahead of the attack striking… causing significant harm.

A Well-Designed Feature

While dodge-rolling in rapid sequence might seem rather absurd (give it up for Geralt again), this isn't truly feasible in Elden Ring. Of course, that fails to transform it into a realistic fighting maneuver — exactly the reason it would be dreadful to see it in a game like Kingdom Come: Deliverance — however, this is a flashy fantasy title under discussion, thus why worry?

Similar to any respectable dodge roll, this title's dodge motion is spruced up with a small acrobatic jump at the start, giving it an energetic feel rather than dropping the character on the floor. Depending on your gear, the technique may seem incredibly quick or moderately cumbersome, however, it's consistently swifter and more seamless than the evasion moves featured in the previous titles. Certainly, you could plant your oversized sword in the dirt if you're carrying one, but that's your own fault for failing to use ranged weapons (I'm joking — don't play the game with a crossbow).

Optimal Harmony

This title's avoidance feature forms an optimal harmony between challenge and opportunity, offering hope of victory while threatening to take that hope away at the slightest mistake. Perfect this move, and you'll be rewarded with not only success, but satisfaction.