The Game's Rolling Dodge Deserves Recognition
If you've played this acclaimed title, or nearly any 3D action game, you're probably well-versed in the glorious feature called the “rolling dodge.” This avoidance maneuver lets your avatar to perform a forward, sideways, or backward tumble to avoid any enemy attacks and move away from the bad guy. Sounds handy, wouldn't you say?
This rolling move, nevertheless, has attracted plenty of criticism, and not only due to the tumbling; some have dubbed it foolish, a cheap tactic, and an unbelievable technique — and occasionally, I see the point. Just imagine me tumbling about hostile mobs in The Witcher 3 — untouchable! But this game's rolling dodge is the dodge roll to surpass every other dodge rolls, and here's the reason.
For this particular game, the creators discovered a great way to address all opinions that the move is too easy: simply give every enemy overwhelming force, triple that, and each player character who ventures close them will feel immensely thankful for their dodge-roll ability, me included. With so much on the line, successfully rolling to victory feels like an achievement, rather than a cheap trick.
No alternative avoidance technique in the game matches this level of gratification and dependability, as quick dashes offer limited distance and guard stances get quickly shattered by powerful foes. One player advised jumping as a go-to Elden Ring avoidance strategy, but in addition to lacking optimal placement, It wasn't clear to me taking a crushing hit could enhance my odds of overcoming challenges (lack of skill, maybe).
Learning the Move
While the rolling dodge provides relief in an incredibly challenging experience, it demands ability. Firstly, this title's rolling dodge merely initiates a frame of protection once you let go of the evasion key, which stops a rapid, fearful withdrawal from dire situations. Additionally, even though it can transport you away from opponents, it's far more effective to use it as an opportunity to get closer, ideally to their rear, and strike blows. And, finally, you still need comprehend and predict opponent moves, as dodging at the start of a long charging animation could conclude your immunity ahead of the attack striking… which will seriously hurt.
A Balanced Mechanic
Although evasion-rolling in quick succession might seem rather absurd (credit to Geralt once more), this isn't really an option in Elden Ring. Of course, that fails to transform it into a realistic battle technique — the very cause why it would be terrifying to see it in a game like a historical simulation — but this is a flashy fantasy title we're talking about, so who cares?
Comparable to any well-executed dodge roll, this title's evasion sequence is enhanced with a small acrobatic jump at the start, offering a lively impression rather than plopping the player downward. Based on your equipment, the technique may seem extremely nimble or moderately cumbersome, however, it's consistently faster and more fluid than the dodge rolls found in the earlier games. Certainly, you will stick your oversized sword into the ground while equipped with it, but that's on you for avoiding ranged weapons (I'm joking — don't play Elden Ring with projectile weapons).
Optimal Harmony
Elden Ring's evasion system establishes an ideal equilibrium between obstacle and possibility, granting chances of triumph while threatening to take that hope away at the tiniest misstep. Learn this skill, and you'll be rewarded with more than triumph, but gratification.
