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If you've played this acclaimed title, or just about any action-adventure title, chances are you're familiar with the glorious mechanic known as the “evasion roll.” This avoidance maneuver enables your hero to perform a front, lateral, or rearward ground roll to dodge all incoming damage and create distance from opponents. Seems useful, doesn't it?

The evasion roll, though, has attracted plenty of criticism, not simply as a result of the somersault; it's been labeled unintelligent, a easy way out, and an unrealistic move — and sometimes, I see the point. Picture me tumbling about local Doppler gangs in The Witcher 3 — can't touch this Geralt! But the title's evasion move is the dodge roll to outdo all previous dodge rolls, and here's the reason.

In Elden Ring's case, the developers found an excellent method to counter all sentiments suggesting the technique is too easy: simply give every enemy overwhelming force, triple that, and every Tarnished who dares come near them will appreciate deeply because of their evasion move, myself included. Given the intense difficulty, pulling off a perfect dodge seems like an accomplishment, not a cheat.

No other evasion method in Elden Ring approaches this level of gratification and consistency, since rapid sprints offer limited distance and guard stances are readily overcome by powerful foes. One player advised leaping as the primary game avoidance strategy, but in addition to lacking perfect repositioning, I didn't see how getting my skull smashed in might boost my prospects of overcoming challenges (lack of skill, maybe).

Learning the Move

While the dodge roll grants reprieve in a famously difficult title, it isn't without skill. To begin with, this title's rolling dodge merely initiates a frame of protection once you stop pressing the dodge button, which stops a hasty, frantic retreat from perilous circumstances. Furthermore, while it might transport you away from opponents, it's much better to employ it as a chance to advance, preferably behind the opponent, and land some hits. Lastly, it remains necessary to grasp and foresee enemy attacks, since evading too early of a prolonged preparation may end your invincibility ahead of the attack striking… resulting in severe damage.

A Well-Designed Feature

Even though rolling-dodging in quick succession might seem rather absurd (give it up for Geralt again), this isn't really an option in this title. Naturally, that fails to transform it into a realistic combat move — exactly the reason it would be dreadful to witness it in a title like a historical simulation — but this is a flashy fantasy title under discussion, thus why worry?

Comparable to any well-executed evasion move, this title's dodge motion is improved by a brief tumbling leap at the commencement, providing a dynamic sensation rather than placing the avatar onto the ground. According to your loadout, the technique may seem super agile or relatively slow, but it remains quicker and smoother than the evasion moves featured in the earlier games. True, you could plant your oversized sword in the dirt when wielding such equipment, but that's on you for failing to use ranged weapons (In jest — avoid using the game with projectile weapons).

Optimal Harmony

This title's evasion system establishes an ideal equilibrium between difficulty and chance, offering hope of victory while endangering that very prospect at the smallest error. Learn this skill, and you'll be rewarded with more than triumph, but satisfaction.