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If you've played Elden Ring, or just about any third-person combat game, you're likely familiar with the wonderful feature referred to as the “rolling dodge.” This evasion technique lets your avatar to carry out a forward, sideways, or backward tumble to dodge incoming harm and create distance from foes. Sounds handy, wouldn't you say?

This rolling move, nevertheless, has gotten plenty of criticism, not simply due to the tumbling; some have dubbed it foolish, a cop-out, and an implausible action — and occasionally, I concur. Just imagine me tumbling about local Doppler gangs in a well-known fantasy game — can't touch this Geralt! But Elden Ring's dodge roll represents the evasion to outdo all previous evasion moves, and let me explain.

For this particular game, the developers found an excellent method to counter all sentiments that the move is too easy: merely bestow each opponent overwhelming force, triple that, and all heroes who ventures close them will appreciate deeply because of their evasion move, myself included. When the stakes are this high, pulling off a perfect dodge comes across as a triumph, not a cheat.

No other evasion method in Elden Ring comes close to this feeling of accomplishment and dependability, as quick dashes provide minimal movement and defensive postures get quickly shattered by tough opponents. Someone once recommended jumping as a go-to Elden Ring evasion method, but aside from not providing perfect repositioning, I couldn't understand how receiving a fatal blow might boost my prospects of overcoming challenges (inexperience, possibly).

Learning the Move

Although the dodge roll provides relief in an otherwise brutal game, it demands ability. To begin with, this title's rolling dodge just activates a window of invulnerability after you release the roll control, which prevents a rapid, fearful withdrawal from perilous circumstances. Furthermore, while it might transport you away from opponents, it's much better to use it as an opportunity to advance, optimally at their back, and deliver attacks. And, finally, you must still grasp and foresee enemy attacks, since evading too early of a long charging animation might terminate your protection before the blow lands… which will seriously hurt.

A Balanced Mechanic

Although evasion-rolling in fast repetition could appear somewhat silly (give it up for Geralt again), this isn't truly feasible in Elden Ring. Naturally, that doesn't render it a believable combat move — exactly the reason it would be terrifying to witness it in a title like a realism-focused RPG — however, this is a spectacular magical game we're talking about, so who cares?

Similar to any respectable dodge roll, the game's rolling animation is spruced up with a brief tumbling leap at the commencement, giving it an energetic feel as opposed to dropping the character on the floor. Depending on your gear, the technique may seem super agile or somewhat sluggish, but it remains swifter and more seamless than the evasion moves featured in the previous titles. True, you will stick your oversized sword on the floor if you're carrying one, but that's your responsibility for failing to use a crossbow (I'm joking — steer clear of the game with projectile weapons).

Optimal Harmony

The game's evasion system creates the perfect balance between challenge and opportunity, offering hope of victory while threatening to take that hope away at the smallest error. Learn this skill, and you'll be rewarded with not just victory, but satisfaction.