🔗 Share this article

For those who have experienced this acclaimed title, or most other action-adventure title, you're likely familiar with the glorious technique called the “evasion roll.” This avoidance maneuver enables your hero to execute a forward, sideways, or backward tumble to evade incoming harm and move away from the bad guy. Appears practical, right?

This rolling move, though, has attracted a lot of flak, and not just as a result of the somersault; some have dubbed it foolish, a cop-out, and an unrealistic move — and sometimes, I concur. You should see me tumbling about nearby enemy groups in a well-known fantasy game — they can't hit me! But Elden Ring's rolling dodge stands as the roll to top all dodge rolls rolling dodges, and let me explain.

In Elden Ring's case, the designers identified an excellent method to respond to all views claiming the maneuver is overly simple: merely bestow every enemy unreasonable strength, increase it further, and each player character who approaches them will appreciate deeply for their dodge-roll ability, I'm no exception. When the stakes are this high, pulling off a perfect dodge comes across as a triumph, rather than a cheap trick.

No alternative avoidance technique in Elden Ring matches this sense of satisfaction and consistency, since rapid sprints don't cover much ground and guard stances are easily broken by strong enemies. Someone once recommended jumping as a go-to game evasion method, but in addition to lacking optimal placement, I couldn't understand how taking a crushing hit would improve my chances of beating enemies (skill issue, perhaps).

Learning the Move

Although the rolling dodge grants reprieve in an otherwise brutal game, it demands ability. Firstly, Elden Ring's rolling dodge only triggers a window of invulnerability following you let go of the roll control, which hinders a quick, panicky escape from dire situations. Additionally, while it might carry you off from opponents, it's far more effective to utilize it as a moment to move nearer, optimally at their back, and land some hits. Lastly, it remains necessary to grasp and foresee opponent moves, as dodging at the start of an extended wind-up might terminate your protection ahead of the attack striking… resulting in severe damage.

A Harmonious System

While dodge-rolling in fast repetition might seem rather absurd (kudos to the Witcher anew), this isn't truly feasible in the game. Certainly, that still doesn't make it a believable battle technique — exactly the reason it would be terrifying to experience it in a product like a realism-focused RPG — however, this is a spectacular magical game being considered, so who cares?

Comparable to any well-executed evasion move, this title's rolling animation is improved by a brief tumbling leap at the beginning, providing a dynamic sensation as opposed to dropping the character onto the ground. Based on your equipment, the maneuver might appear super agile or relatively slow, but it remains swifter and more seamless than the dodge rolls used in Dark Souls. Admittedly, you will stick your large weapon in the dirt when wielding such equipment, but that's your own fault for not just playing alternative arms (I'm joking — steer clear of Elden Ring with a crossbow).

Ideal Equilibrium

The game's avoidance feature creates the perfect balance between obstacle and possibility, offering hope of victory while endangering that very prospect at the tiniest misstep. Master this technique, and you'll be rewarded with not only success, but gratification.