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If you've played this acclaimed title, or just about any third-person combat game, you're probably well-versed in the glorious technique called the “evasion roll.” This defensive move enables your hero to execute a front, lateral, or rearward ground roll to evade all incoming damage and create distance from foes. Appears practical, right?

This rolling move, though, has received a lot of flak, and not just because of the rolling; some have dubbed it dumb, a cheap tactic, and an unrealistic move — and occasionally, I agree. Picture me somersaulting past local Doppler gangs in another popular RPG — untouchable! But this game's evasion move stands as the roll to outdo all previous evasion moves, and let me explain.

Regarding this title, the developers found a great way to address all opinions that the move is too easy: just grant every enemy excessive power, increase it further, and all heroes who ventures close them will appreciate deeply for their dodge-roll ability, me included. With so much on the line, pulling off a perfect dodge comes across as a triumph, not a cheat.

No other evasion method in the game matches this level of gratification and reliability, since rapid sprints offer limited distance and guard stances get quickly shattered by strong enemies. A person once suggested hopping as the main game dodging technique, but besides failing to offer ideal movement, I didn't see how getting my skull smashed in would improve my chances of overcoming challenges (skill issue, perhaps).

Perfecting the Skill

While this evasion move offers respite in an otherwise brutal game, it requires practice. Firstly, Elden Ring's evasion move just activates a window of invulnerability after you release the roll control, which hinders a quick, panicky escape from perilous circumstances. Moreover, while it might transport you away from enemies, it's much better to utilize it as a moment to move nearer, ideally to their rear, and strike blows. Lastly, you must still grasp and foresee enemy attacks, because rolling prematurely of a long charging animation could conclude your immunity ahead of the attack striking… causing significant harm.

A Harmonious System

While dodge-rolling in quick succession might seem rather absurd (credit to Geralt once more), this isn't practically possible in the game. Of course, that doesn't render it a plausible battle technique — which is precisely why it would be terrifying to experience it in a product like a historical simulation — but this is a dazzling imaginative experience we're talking about, so who cares?

Comparable to any well-executed dodge roll, Elden Ring's evasion sequence is improved by a brief tumbling leap 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 extremely nimble or moderately cumbersome, but it remains swifter and more seamless than the rolling dodges featured in the previous titles. Admittedly, you will stick your big blade into the ground when wielding such equipment, but that's your own fault for avoiding alternative arms (Just kidding — steer clear of the game with projectile weapons).

The Perfect Balance

This title's evasion system forms an optimal harmony between difficulty and chance, providing prospects of success while threatening to take that hope away at the tiniest misstep. Perfect this move, and you'll be rewarded with not only success, but gratification.