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If you've played Elden Ring, or nearly any 3D action game, you're probably familiar with the fantastic technique called the “evasion roll.” This defensive move enables your hero to carry out a forward, sideways, or backward tumble to evade any enemy attacks and create distance from the bad guy. Appears practical, wouldn't you say?

The evasion roll, though, has received plenty of criticism, and not just because of the rolling; it's been labeled foolish, a easy way out, and an unrealistic move — and in some cases, I agree. Just imagine me somersaulting past hostile mobs in a well-known fantasy game — they can't hit me! But the title's rolling dodge is the dodge roll to outdo all previous dodge rolls, and let me explain.

For this particular game, the developers found an excellent method to counter all sentiments that the move is not challenging enough: simply give each opponent overwhelming force, multiply it, and every Tarnished who ventures close them will appreciate deeply for their dodge-roll ability, myself included. With so much on the line, evading successfully comes across as a triumph, instead of an unfair advantage.

No alternative avoidance technique in Elden Ring approaches this level of gratification and reliability, as quick dashes provide minimal movement and guard stances are readily overcome by strong enemies. One player advised hopping as the main Elden Ring evasion method, but besides failing to offer perfect repositioning, I didn't see how receiving a fatal blow would improve my chances of overcoming challenges (lack of skill, maybe).

Learning the Move

While this evasion move provides relief in a famously difficult title, it requires practice. To begin with, this title's dodge roll merely initiates a period of immunity following you stop pressing the dodge button, which hinders a quick, panicky escape from dire situations. Moreover, even though it can carry you off from foes, it's far more effective to employ it as a chance to get closer, optimally at their back, and land some hits. And, finally, you must still comprehend and predict enemy attacks, as dodging at the start of an extended wind-up may end your invincibility before the blow lands… resulting in severe damage.

A Well-Designed Feature

Although evasion-rolling in quick succession may look a bit ridiculous (kudos to the Witcher anew), this isn't practically possible in the game. Of course, that still doesn't make it a plausible battle technique — the very cause why it would be terrifying to see it in a game like a historical simulation — however, this is a spectacular magical game being considered, thus why worry?

Comparable to any well-executed dodge roll, this title's dodge motion is enhanced with a brief tumbling leap at the beginning, offering a lively impression as opposed to plopping the player onto the ground. Depending on your gear, the move can feel super agile or relatively slow, but it remains quicker and smoother than the evasion moves found in Dark Souls. Certainly, you may embed your oversized sword on the floor when wielding such equipment, but that's your own fault for failing to use alternative arms (I'm joking — steer clear of the game using ranged options).

Ideal Equilibrium

Elden Ring's avoidance feature establishes an ideal equilibrium between challenge and opportunity, granting chances of triumph while threatening to take that hope away at the slightest mistake. Master this technique, and you'll gain more than triumph, but satisfaction.