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If you've played the popular action RPG, or just about any action-adventure title, you're probably acquainted with the glorious feature called the “dodge roll.” This avoidance maneuver enables your hero to carry out a forward, sideways, or backward tumble to avoid incoming harm and move away from the bad guy. Sounds handy, right?

This rolling move, however, has attracted plenty of criticism, and not just because of the rolling; it's been labeled foolish, a cop-out, and an implausible action — and sometimes, I concur. Just imagine me tumbling about nearby enemy groups in another popular RPG — they can't hit me! But the title's dodge roll represents the evasion to surpass every other evasion moves, and I'll tell you why.

In Elden Ring's case, the designers identified a clever approach to respond to all views claiming the maneuver is too easy: merely bestow every enemy overwhelming force, triple that, and each player character who ventures close them will feel immensely thankful thanks to their rolling skill, me included. With so much on the line, pulling off a perfect dodge feels like an achievement, rather than a cheap trick.

No other evasion method in Elden Ring comes close to this feeling of accomplishment and dependability, because swift moves offer limited distance and guard stances get quickly shattered by powerful foes. A person once suggested leaping as the primary game dodging technique, but aside from not providing optimal placement, I didn't see how getting my skull smashed in might boost my prospects of overcoming challenges (skill issue, perhaps).

Perfecting the Skill

While this evasion move grants reprieve in a famously difficult title, it requires practice. To begin with, Elden Ring's evasion move just activates a period of immunity once you release the evasion key, which hinders a hasty, frantic retreat from dire situations. Furthermore, even though it can transport you away from enemies, it's much better to use it as an opportunity to advance, ideally to their rear, and deliver attacks. Lastly, you must still grasp and foresee opponent moves, as dodging at the start of a long charging animation may end your invincibility ahead of the attack striking… causing significant harm.

A Well-Designed Feature

Even though rolling-dodging in rapid sequence might seem rather absurd (credit to Geralt once more), this isn't truly feasible in this title. Of course, that fails to transform it into a realistic combat move — which is precisely why it would be terrifying to experience it in a product like a historical simulation — yet we're discussing a flashy fantasy title we're talking about, thus why worry?

Comparable to any well-executed dodge roll, the game's rolling animation is spruced up with a little somersault-y hop at the commencement, offering a lively impression as opposed to plopping the player on the floor. Depending on your gear, the move can feel incredibly quick or relatively slow, yet it's always quicker and smoother than the rolling dodges found in the previous titles. Certainly, you will stick your big blade in the dirt while equipped with it, but that's your own fault for not just playing ranged weapons (Just kidding — avoid using Elden Ring with a crossbow).

The Perfect Balance

This title's avoidance feature forms an optimal harmony between difficulty and chance, providing prospects of success while endangering that very prospect at the smallest error. Master this technique, and you'll gain not just victory, but gratification.