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Having spent time with the popular action RPG, or nearly any third-person combat game, chances are you're well-versed in the glorious mechanic called the “evasion roll.” This defensive move enables your hero to perform a front, lateral, or rearward ground roll to dodge all incoming damage and move away from the bad guy. Seems useful, right?

The dodge roll, however, has received a lot of flak, and not only as a result of the somersault; it's been called dumb, a cheap tactic, and an implausible action — and sometimes, I see the point. Picture me tumbling about hostile mobs in a well-known fantasy game — untouchable! But Elden Ring's evasion move represents the evasion to top all dodge rolls dodge rolls, and let me explain.

In Elden Ring's case, the creators discovered a great way to address all opinions claiming the maneuver is too easy: just grant every enemy overwhelming force, triple that, and all heroes who dares come near them will feel immensely thankful for their dodge-roll ability, me included. With so much on the line, successfully rolling to victory comes across as a triumph, instead of an unfair advantage.

No alternative avoidance technique in Elden Ring comes close to this feeling of accomplishment and reliability, as quick dashes provide minimal movement and guard stances get quickly shattered by strong enemies. Someone once recommended jumping as a go-to Elden Ring dodging technique, but in addition to lacking ideal movement, I couldn't understand how taking a crushing hit might boost my prospects of defeating bosses (inexperience, possibly).

Mastering the Technique

But even though the rolling dodge provides relief in an otherwise brutal game, it isn't without skill. To begin with, the game's rolling dodge only triggers a frame of protection once you let go of the dodge button, which stops a quick, panicky escape from dangerous scenarios. Moreover, although it may carry you off from opponents, it's significantly more useful to utilize it as a moment to move nearer, optimally at their back, and strike blows. In conclusion, you still need understand and anticipate foe assaults, because rolling prematurely of a prolonged preparation could conclude your immunity ahead of the attack striking… which will seriously hurt.

A Harmonious System

While dodge-rolling in rapid sequence could appear somewhat silly (give it up for Geralt again), this isn't practically possible in the game. Certainly, that fails to transform it into a believable fighting maneuver — which is precisely why it would be pure horror to experience it in a product like a realism-focused RPG — yet we're discussing a dazzling imaginative experience being considered, therefore, it doesn't matter?

Comparable to any well-executed evasion move, the game's dodge motion is enhanced with a small acrobatic jump at the beginning, providing a dynamic sensation as opposed to dropping the character onto the ground. Based on your equipment, the move can feel incredibly quick or relatively slow, yet it's always faster and more fluid than the dodge rolls found in the previous titles. Admittedly, you may embed your oversized sword into the ground while equipped with it, but that's your responsibility for not just playing a crossbow (Just kidding — avoid using Elden Ring with projectile weapons).

Optimal Harmony

The game's avoidance feature creates the perfect balance between challenge and opportunity, granting chances of triumph while threatening to take that hope away at the tiniest misstep. Master this technique, and you'll obtain more than triumph, but satisfaction.