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Having spent time with the popular action RPG, or most other third-person combat game, you're likely well-versed in the wonderful technique known as the “rolling dodge.” This defensive move enables your hero to execute a front, lateral, or rearward ground roll to evade any enemy attacks and move away from opponents. Appears practical, right?

The evasion roll, however, has received a lot of flak, and not only due to the tumbling; it's been labeled foolish, a cop-out, and an unrealistic move — and occasionally, I agree. Picture me somersaulting past hostile mobs in The Witcher 3 — can't touch this Geralt! But this game's rolling dodge stands as the roll to top all dodge rolls rolling dodges, and let me explain.

For this particular game, the developers found a great way to counter all sentiments claiming the maneuver is not challenging enough: merely bestow each opponent overwhelming force, increase it further, and every Tarnished who approaches them will be eternally grateful thanks to their rolling skill, I'm no exception. Given the intense difficulty, pulling off a perfect dodge comes across as a triumph, rather than a cheap trick.

No different defensive move in Elden Ring comes close to this sense of satisfaction and reliability, as quick dashes offer limited distance and guard stances get quickly shattered by strong enemies. One player advised jumping as a go-to game avoidance strategy, but aside from not providing optimal placement, I didn't see how getting my skull smashed in would improve my chances of defeating bosses (skill issue, perhaps).

Mastering the Technique

Although this evasion move offers respite in a famously difficult title, it requires practice. To begin with, the game's rolling dodge only triggers a window of invulnerability after you let go of the dodge button, which stops a hasty, frantic retreat from dangerous scenarios. Moreover, while it might carry you off from opponents, it's significantly more useful to use it as an opportunity to get closer, ideally to their rear, and land some hits. In conclusion, you still need understand and anticipate opponent moves, as dodging at the start of a prolonged preparation could conclude your immunity prior to the hit connecting… resulting in severe damage.

A Well-Designed Feature

While dodge-rolling in rapid sequence may look a bit ridiculous (give it up for Geralt again), this isn't really an option in this title. Of course, that fails to transform it into a plausible battle technique — the very cause 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, so who cares?

Similar to any respectable dodge roll, this title's rolling animation is improved by a small acrobatic jump at the beginning, giving it an energetic feel as opposed to placing the avatar on the floor. According to your loadout, the move can feel super agile or moderately cumbersome, however, it's consistently faster and more fluid than the rolling dodges featured in the previous titles. True, you could plant your big blade on the floor when wielding such equipment, but that's on you for avoiding alternative arms (Just kidding — don't play the game using ranged options).

Ideal Equilibrium

Elden Ring's avoidance feature forms an optimal harmony between obstacle and possibility, offering hope of victory while endangering that very prospect at the smallest error. Learn this skill, and you'll gain more than triumph, but fulfillment.