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For those who have experienced this acclaimed title, or most other third-person combat game, chances are you're familiar with the fantastic technique referred to as the “rolling dodge.” This evasion technique allows your character to carry out a front, lateral, or rearward ground roll to evade incoming harm and move away from the bad guy. Appears practical, wouldn't you say?

The dodge roll, nevertheless, has attracted significant backlash, and not only because of the rolling; it's been labeled dumb, a easy way out, and an unbelievable technique — and in some cases, I agree. You should see me rolling around nearby enemy groups in a well-known fantasy game — untouchable! But the title's dodge roll is the dodge roll to top all dodge rolls rolling dodges, and let me explain.

For this particular game, the designers identified a great way to respond to all views claiming the maneuver is not challenging enough: simply give each opponent unreasonable strength, triple that, and each player character who approaches them will feel immensely thankful because of their evasion move, myself included. With so much on the line, successfully rolling to victory seems like an accomplishment, rather than a cheap trick.

No alternative avoidance technique in Elden Ring approaches this level of gratification and reliability, since rapid sprints don't cover much ground and guard stances are easily broken by tough opponents. Someone once recommended jumping as a go-to game evasion method, but in addition to lacking optimal placement, I didn't see how receiving a fatal blow would improve my chances of beating enemies (lack of skill, maybe).

Learning the Move

While the rolling dodge offers respite in an otherwise brutal game, it requires practice. Firstly, the game's dodge roll just activates a frame of protection after you let go of the evasion key, which hinders a quick, panicky escape from dangerous scenarios. Furthermore, while it might move you aside from opponents, it's far more effective to employ it as a chance to advance, ideally to their rear, and land some hits. Lastly, it remains necessary to grasp and foresee foe assaults, since evading too early of a long charging animation may end your invincibility before the blow lands… which will seriously hurt.

A Harmonious System

Although evasion-rolling in fast repetition could appear somewhat silly (give it up for Geralt again), this isn't really an option in the game. Of course, that fails to transform it into a realistic fighting maneuver — exactly the reason it would be dreadful to witness it in a title like a historical simulation — yet we're discussing a dazzling imaginative experience under discussion, thus why worry?

Comparable to any well-executed evasion move, the game's evasion sequence is improved by a brief tumbling leap at the start, providing a dynamic sensation rather than plopping the player downward. Based on your equipment, the maneuver might appear extremely nimble or moderately cumbersome, however, it's consistently faster and more fluid than the rolling dodges found in the previous titles. Certainly, you will stick your big blade into the ground while equipped with it, but that's your responsibility for avoiding ranged weapons (I'm joking — steer clear of the game using ranged options).

The Perfect Balance

Elden Ring's evasion system establishes an ideal equilibrium between difficulty and chance, offering hope of victory while threatening to take that hope away at the smallest error. Perfect this move, and you'll obtain not just victory, but gratification.