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For those who have experienced Elden Ring, or most other action-adventure title, you're likely well-versed in the glorious feature known as the “evasion roll.” This avoidance maneuver allows your character to perform a front, lateral, or rearward ground roll to avoid incoming harm and create distance from opponents. Appears practical, doesn't it?

The dodge roll, though, has received plenty of criticism, not simply because of the rolling; it's been called unintelligent, a cheap tactic, and an unbelievable technique — and occasionally, I see the point. You should see me somersaulting past local Doppler gangs in The Witcher 3 — untouchable! But this game's dodge roll stands as the roll to surpass every other evasion moves, and let me explain.

In Elden Ring's case, the developers found a clever approach to counter all sentiments that the move is not challenging enough: simply give all foes overwhelming force, multiply it, and each player character who approaches them will appreciate deeply for their dodge-roll ability, myself included. Given the intense difficulty, evading successfully feels like an achievement, instead of an unfair advantage.

No different defensive move in Elden Ring approaches this feeling of accomplishment and consistency, as quick dashes provide minimal movement and defensive postures are easily broken by strong enemies. Someone once recommended leaping as the primary Elden Ring evasion method, but besides failing to offer optimal placement, I couldn't understand how getting my skull smashed in could enhance my odds of beating enemies (inexperience, possibly).

Mastering the Technique

Although the dodge roll grants reprieve in an incredibly challenging experience, it demands ability. Firstly, Elden Ring's dodge roll merely initiates a window of invulnerability after you let go of the roll control, which prevents a quick, panicky escape from dangerous scenarios. Furthermore, although it may transport you away from opponents, it's significantly more useful to utilize it as a moment to advance, preferably behind the opponent, and deliver attacks. In conclusion, you must still understand and anticipate foe assaults, as dodging at the start of a prolonged preparation might terminate your protection prior to the hit connecting… resulting in severe damage.

A Balanced Mechanic

While dodge-rolling in rapid sequence could appear somewhat silly (credit to Geralt once more), this isn't truly feasible in this title. Naturally, that still doesn't make it a realistic battle technique — the very cause why it would be dreadful to experience it in a product like a realism-focused RPG — yet we're discussing a dazzling imaginative experience we're talking about, thus why worry?

Comparable to any well-executed dodge roll, Elden Ring's evasion sequence is spruced up with a little somersault-y hop at the start, providing a dynamic sensation instead of placing the avatar on the floor. Depending on your gear, the move can feel extremely nimble or somewhat sluggish, yet it's always faster and more fluid than the evasion moves featured in Dark Souls. True, you may embed your oversized sword in the dirt if you're carrying one, but that's your own fault for avoiding ranged weapons (In jest — avoid using the game using ranged options).

The Perfect Balance

This title's dodging mechanic creates the perfect balance between challenge and opportunity, granting chances of triumph while threatening to take that hope away at the slightest mistake. Learn this skill, and you'll obtain not only success, but gratification.