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For those who have experienced the popular action RPG, or nearly any action-adventure title, you're likely well-versed in the wonderful technique called the “dodge roll.” This avoidance maneuver allows your character to perform a front, lateral, or rearward ground roll to evade incoming harm and create distance from foes. Seems useful, doesn't it?

The evasion roll, however, has gotten plenty of criticism, and not just as a result of the somersault; it's been called unintelligent, a cheap tactic, and an unbelievable technique — and occasionally, I agree. Picture me rolling around nearby enemy groups in a well-known fantasy game — untouchable! But the title's evasion move is the dodge roll to surpass every other evasion moves, and let me explain.

For this particular game, the developers found an excellent method to respond to all views that the move is not challenging enough: simply give all foes unreasonable strength, increase it further, and every Tarnished who ventures close them will be eternally grateful for their dodge-roll ability, me included. With so much on the line, pulling off a perfect dodge comes across as a triumph, instead of an unfair advantage.

No other evasion method in Elden Ring matches this feeling of accomplishment and consistency, since rapid sprints offer limited distance and defensive postures are easily broken by tough opponents. One player advised jumping as a go-to Elden Ring avoidance strategy, but aside from not providing optimal placement, I didn't see how receiving a fatal blow might boost my prospects of overcoming challenges (inexperience, possibly).

Mastering the Technique

While the dodge roll grants reprieve in an otherwise brutal game, it requires practice. To begin with, this title's dodge roll only triggers a window of invulnerability following you stop pressing the roll control, which stops a rapid, fearful withdrawal from dire situations. Furthermore, while it might move you aside from enemies, it's significantly more useful to employ it as a chance to get closer, preferably behind the opponent, and deliver attacks. And, finally, it remains necessary to understand and anticipate opponent moves, since evading too early of an extended wind-up could conclude your immunity prior to the hit connecting… resulting in severe damage.

A Balanced Mechanic

Although evasion-rolling in rapid sequence could appear somewhat silly (kudos to the Witcher anew), this isn't really an option in Elden Ring. Certainly, that fails to transform it into a plausible combat move — which is precisely why it would be terrifying to see it in a game like a realism-focused RPG — however, this is a dazzling imaginative experience being considered, so who cares?

Comparable to any well-executed dodge roll, the game's rolling animation is improved by a small acrobatic jump at the beginning, providing a dynamic sensation rather than placing the avatar on the floor. According to your loadout, the move can feel incredibly quick or somewhat sluggish, however, it's consistently faster and more fluid than the rolling dodges found in Dark Souls. True, you will stick your oversized sword into the ground while equipped with it, but that's on you for avoiding a crossbow (I'm joking — avoid using Elden Ring with a crossbow).

Ideal Equilibrium

This title's evasion system forms an optimal harmony between obstacle and possibility, providing prospects of success while threatening to take that hope away at the smallest error. Perfect this move, and you'll obtain not just victory, but gratification.