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Having spent time with Elden Ring, or just about any 3D action game, chances are you're well-versed in the wonderful feature referred to as the “dodge roll.” This avoidance maneuver allows your character to execute a forward, sideways, or backward tumble to avoid incoming harm and create distance from foes. Appears practical, right?

The dodge roll, nevertheless, has attracted a lot of flak, and not only because of the rolling; some have dubbed it unintelligent, a cop-out, and an unbelievable technique — and in some cases, I agree. Just imagine me rolling around local Doppler gangs in The Witcher 3 — they can't hit me! But the title's dodge roll represents the evasion to surpass every other rolling dodges, and let me explain.

For this particular game, the designers identified an excellent method to counter all sentiments that the move is overly simple: merely bestow each opponent unreasonable strength, increase it further, and each player character who approaches them will be eternally grateful for their dodge-roll ability, me included. With so much on the line, evading successfully comes across as a triumph, rather than a cheap trick.

No other evasion method in the game comes close to this level of gratification and reliability, because swift moves don't cover much ground and defensive postures are easily broken by strong enemies. One player advised jumping as a go-to game avoidance strategy, but in addition to lacking ideal movement, It wasn't clear to me receiving a fatal blow might boost my prospects of defeating bosses (skill issue, perhaps).

Perfecting the Skill

But even though this evasion move grants reprieve in an otherwise brutal game, it demands ability. To begin with, Elden Ring's dodge roll merely initiates a window of invulnerability following you release the evasion key, which hinders a hasty, frantic retreat from dire situations. Moreover, while it might move you aside from opponents, it's significantly more useful to utilize it as a moment to get closer, optimally at their back, and deliver attacks. Lastly, it remains necessary to grasp and foresee opponent moves, since evading too early of a prolonged preparation could conclude your immunity before the blow lands… resulting in severe damage.

A Balanced Mechanic

While dodge-rolling in rapid sequence may look a bit ridiculous (credit to Geralt once more), this isn't practically possible in this title. Naturally, that still doesn't make it a realistic battle technique — which is precisely why it would be terrifying to experience it in a product like a historical simulation — however, this is a spectacular magical game being considered, therefore, it doesn't matter?

Comparable to any well-executed dodge roll, Elden Ring's dodge motion is spruced up with a small acrobatic jump at the beginning, offering a lively impression as opposed to dropping the character onto the ground. According to your loadout, the move can feel incredibly quick or moderately cumbersome, yet it's always faster and more fluid than the evasion moves found in the earlier games. True, you may embed your oversized sword in the dirt if you're carrying one, but that's your responsibility for failing to use alternative arms (I'm joking — steer clear of Elden Ring with a crossbow).

The Perfect Balance

Elden Ring's evasion system creates the perfect balance between obstacle and possibility, providing prospects of success while endangering that very prospect at the tiniest misstep. Perfect this move, and you'll obtain more than triumph, but satisfaction.