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Having spent time with this acclaimed title, or most other 3D action game, chances are you're acquainted with the wonderful technique known as the “dodge roll.” This avoidance maneuver lets your avatar to execute a front, lateral, or rearward ground roll to evade any enemy attacks and gain space from foes. Appears practical, doesn't it?

This rolling move, though, has received significant backlash, and not just due to the tumbling; it's been labeled foolish, a cheap tactic, and an implausible action — and in some cases, I concur. You should see me rolling around hostile mobs in a well-known fantasy game — they can't hit me! But Elden Ring's dodge roll is the dodge roll to surpass every other evasion moves, and here's the reason.

Regarding this title, the designers identified a clever approach to address all opinions that the move is overly simple: merely bestow all foes unreasonable strength, increase it further, and every Tarnished who dares come near them will feel immensely thankful thanks to their rolling skill, I'm no exception. Given the intense difficulty, evading successfully comes across as a triumph, rather than a cheap trick.

No alternative avoidance technique in this RPG matches this sense of satisfaction and dependability, because swift moves provide minimal movement and guard stances are readily overcome by tough opponents. Someone once recommended hopping as the main game dodging technique, but in addition to lacking ideal movement, I couldn't understand how receiving a fatal blow would improve my chances of defeating bosses (lack of skill, maybe).

Perfecting the Skill

Although the dodge roll provides relief in an incredibly challenging experience, it demands ability. To begin with, Elden Ring's rolling dodge only triggers a period of immunity following you let go of the evasion key, which hinders a quick, panicky escape from perilous circumstances. Furthermore, while it might carry you off from enemies, it's significantly more useful to employ it as a chance to move nearer, ideally to their rear, and land some hits. And, finally, you must still understand and anticipate foe assaults, as dodging at the start of an extended wind-up could conclude your immunity prior to the hit connecting… resulting in severe damage.

A Balanced Mechanic

While dodge-rolling in fast repetition could appear somewhat silly (credit to Geralt once more), this isn't practically possible in this title. Certainly, that fails to transform it into a believable battle technique — which is precisely why it would be dreadful to witness it in a title like a historical simulation — however, this is a spectacular magical game we're talking about, so who cares?

Like any proper dodge roll, this title's rolling animation is enhanced with a brief tumbling leap at the beginning, offering a lively impression instead of dropping the character downward. Based on your equipment, the move can feel super agile or moderately cumbersome, however, it's consistently faster and more fluid than the dodge rolls featured in Dark Souls. True, you may embed your large weapon into the ground if you're carrying one, but that's on you for avoiding a crossbow (In jest — avoid using the game with a crossbow).

Optimal Harmony

This title's dodging mechanic creates the perfect balance between difficulty and chance, granting chances of triumph while threatening to take that hope away at the slightest mistake. Master this technique, and you'll obtain not only success, but satisfaction.