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For those who have experienced this acclaimed title, or nearly any 3D action game, you're likely well-versed in the fantastic mechanic referred to as the “rolling dodge.” This avoidance maneuver enables your hero to execute a front, lateral, or rearward somersault to dodge any enemy attacks and gain space from opponents. Seems useful, right?

The evasion roll, nevertheless, has gotten significant backlash, and not only due to the tumbling; some have dubbed it dumb, a cop-out, and an implausible action — and sometimes, I concur. You should see me tumbling about nearby enemy groups in a well-known fantasy game — untouchable! But the title's dodge roll represents the evasion to surpass every other rolling dodges, and I'll tell you why.

Regarding this title, the designers identified a clever approach to address all opinions that the move is overly simple: simply give each opponent overwhelming force, increase it further, and all heroes who dares come near them will be eternally grateful for their dodge-roll ability, I'm no exception. Given the intense difficulty, 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 dependability, as quick dashes don't cover much ground and guard stances are readily overcome by tough opponents. A person once suggested hopping as the main game evasion method, but in addition to lacking perfect repositioning, I didn't see how taking a crushing hit might boost my prospects of overcoming challenges (skill issue, perhaps).

Mastering the Technique

But even though the dodge roll grants reprieve in an otherwise brutal game, it isn't without skill. To begin with, this title's evasion move merely initiates a window of invulnerability following you stop pressing the dodge button, which stops a hasty, frantic retreat from dire situations. Furthermore, although it may transport you away from opponents, it's significantly more useful to utilize it as a moment to move nearer, ideally to their rear, and deliver attacks. In conclusion, you must still grasp and foresee opponent moves, because rolling prematurely of a long charging animation could conclude your immunity before the blow lands… which will seriously hurt.

A Balanced Mechanic

Although evasion-rolling in rapid sequence might seem rather absurd (give it up for Geralt again), this isn't truly feasible in the game. Naturally, that fails to transform it into a believable battle technique — exactly the reason it would be terrifying to witness it in a title like a realism-focused RPG — however, this is a dazzling imaginative experience being considered, so who cares?

Like any proper evasion move, the game's evasion sequence is spruced up with a little somersault-y hop at the start, giving it an energetic feel rather than dropping the character onto the ground. According to your loadout, the move can feel extremely nimble or relatively slow, however, it's consistently swifter and more seamless than the evasion moves featured in the previous titles. True, you could plant your big blade in the dirt when wielding such equipment, but that's your own fault for not just playing alternative arms (I'm joking — don't play Elden Ring using ranged options).

Optimal Harmony

Elden Ring's evasion system forms an optimal harmony between obstacle and possibility, offering hope of victory while endangering that very prospect at the tiniest misstep. Perfect this move, and you'll gain not just victory, but fulfillment.