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For those who have experienced Elden Ring, or most other action-adventure title, you're probably acquainted with the glorious technique known as the “evasion roll.” This avoidance maneuver lets your avatar to execute a front, lateral, or rearward tumble to dodge any enemy attacks and move away from opponents. Sounds handy, doesn't it?

The dodge roll, though, has gotten plenty of criticism, and not only due to the tumbling; it's been labeled dumb, a cheap tactic, and an unrealistic move — and sometimes, I concur. Just imagine me rolling around local Doppler gangs in a well-known fantasy game — untouchable! But this game's rolling dodge is the dodge roll to outdo all previous dodge rolls, and let me explain.

Regarding this title, the creators discovered an excellent method to respond to all views claiming the maneuver is too easy: just grant every enemy overwhelming force, triple that, and every Tarnished who dares come near them will feel immensely thankful thanks to their rolling skill, I'm no exception. Given the intense difficulty, evading successfully seems like an accomplishment, not a cheat.

No different defensive move in Elden Ring comes close to this feeling of accomplishment and consistency, since rapid sprints provide minimal movement and defensive postures are readily overcome by tough opponents. One player advised hopping as the main game dodging technique, but aside from not providing perfect repositioning, I didn't see how getting my skull smashed in might boost my prospects of defeating bosses (lack of skill, maybe).

Learning the Move

Although the dodge roll provides relief in a famously difficult title, it isn't without skill. Firstly, the game's rolling dodge only triggers a window of invulnerability following you let go of the dodge button, which hinders a rapid, fearful withdrawal from dire situations. Furthermore, although it may transport you away from enemies, it's significantly more useful to utilize it as a moment to move nearer, ideally to their rear, and strike blows. In conclusion, you must still understand and anticipate foe assaults, because rolling prematurely of an extended wind-up might terminate your protection before the blow lands… resulting in severe damage.

A Balanced Mechanic

While dodge-rolling in rapid sequence could appear somewhat silly (give it up for Geralt again), this isn't really an option in Elden Ring. Certainly, that fails to transform it into a plausible battle technique — the very cause why it would be pure horror to witness it in a title like Kingdom Come: Deliverance — however, this is a dazzling imaginative experience being considered, thus why worry?

Like any proper evasion move, this title's evasion sequence is enhanced with a small acrobatic jump at the start, providing a dynamic sensation as opposed to placing the avatar onto the ground. Based on your equipment, the technique may seem super agile or moderately cumbersome, but it remains quicker and smoother than the dodge rolls featured in the previous titles. Admittedly, you will stick your large weapon into the ground if you're carrying one, but that's your responsibility for failing to use ranged weapons (Just kidding — avoid using Elden Ring with a crossbow).

The Perfect Balance

This title's dodging mechanic forms an optimal harmony between obstacle and possibility, offering hope of victory while endangering that very prospect at the slightest mistake. Learn this skill, and you'll gain more than triumph, but satisfaction.