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Having spent time with this acclaimed title, or nearly any third-person combat game, you're likely familiar with the glorious technique referred to as the “evasion roll.” This evasion technique lets your avatar to perform a forward, sideways, or backward tumble to avoid any enemy attacks and create distance from foes. Sounds handy, doesn't it?

The evasion roll, though, has received plenty of criticism, and not only as a result of the somersault; it's been labeled unintelligent, a cheap tactic, and an unrealistic move — and occasionally, I agree. Picture me rolling around hostile mobs in The Witcher 3 — untouchable! But Elden Ring's dodge roll represents the evasion to surpass every other rolling dodges, and here's the reason.

In Elden Ring's case, the developers found a great way to counter all sentiments suggesting the technique is overly simple: merely bestow every enemy unreasonable strength, increase it further, and every Tarnished who ventures close them will be eternally grateful because of their evasion move, me included. With so much on the line, evading successfully comes across as a triumph, not a cheat.

No different defensive move in the game comes close to this level of gratification and consistency, because swift moves provide minimal movement and defensive postures are easily broken by tough opponents. Someone once recommended jumping as a go-to game evasion method, but aside from not providing perfect repositioning, I couldn't understand how receiving a fatal blow might boost my prospects of overcoming challenges (lack of skill, maybe).

Learning the Move

Although the dodge roll offers respite in a famously difficult title, it demands ability. To begin with, this title's dodge roll merely initiates a window of invulnerability following you stop pressing the dodge button, which stops a rapid, fearful withdrawal from dangerous scenarios. Moreover, although it may move you aside from enemies, it's much better to utilize it as a moment to move nearer, preferably behind the opponent, and land some hits. Lastly, you still need comprehend and predict foe assaults, because rolling prematurely of a prolonged preparation might terminate your protection prior to the hit connecting… causing significant harm.

A Balanced Mechanic

Although evasion-rolling in rapid sequence may look a bit ridiculous (kudos to the Witcher anew), this isn't really an option in the game. Certainly, that doesn't render it a plausible battle technique — exactly the reason it would be terrifying to witness it in a title like a historical simulation — however, this is a spectacular magical game being considered, so who cares?

Comparable to any well-executed rolling dodge, the game's rolling animation is enhanced with a brief tumbling leap at the start, giving it an energetic feel instead of placing the avatar on the floor. According to your loadout, the technique may seem extremely nimble or moderately cumbersome, however, it's consistently swifter and more seamless than the dodge rolls found in the earlier games. Admittedly, you could plant your big blade on the floor when wielding such equipment, but that's your own fault for avoiding ranged weapons (I'm joking — don't play Elden Ring with a crossbow).

Optimal Harmony

This title's evasion system forms an optimal harmony between difficulty and chance, granting chances of triumph while threatening to take that hope away at the tiniest misstep. Learn this skill, and you'll be rewarded with not just victory, but fulfillment.