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Having spent time with the popular action RPG, or just about any third-person combat game, you're probably familiar with the wonderful technique known as the “rolling dodge.” This evasion technique enables your hero to carry out a front, lateral, or rearward ground roll to avoid incoming harm and move away from foes. Seems useful, right?

The evasion roll, nevertheless, has attracted plenty of criticism, and not just due to the tumbling; it's been called unintelligent, a easy way out, and an unbelievable technique — and occasionally, I see the point. Just imagine me somersaulting past hostile mobs in a well-known fantasy game — can't touch this Geralt! But this game's rolling dodge stands as the roll to outdo all previous dodge rolls, and I'll tell you why.

In Elden Ring's case, the creators discovered a great way to counter all sentiments suggesting the technique is not challenging enough: simply give every enemy unreasonable strength, increase it further, and all heroes who ventures close them will appreciate deeply because of their evasion move, I'm no exception. When the stakes are this high, evading successfully seems like an accomplishment, instead of an unfair advantage.

No alternative avoidance technique in this RPG matches this sense of satisfaction and consistency, since rapid sprints provide minimal movement and blocking attempts are readily overcome by tough opponents. A person once suggested leaping as the primary game dodging technique, but in addition to lacking perfect repositioning, I didn't see how getting my skull smashed in would improve my chances of beating enemies (lack of skill, maybe).

Perfecting the Skill

While the rolling dodge provides relief in an incredibly challenging experience, it requires practice. To begin with, the game's dodge roll just activates a period of immunity once you stop pressing the dodge button, which prevents a hasty, frantic retreat from dangerous scenarios. Furthermore, although it may move you aside from opponents, it's much better to use it as an opportunity to advance, optimally at their back, and strike blows. Lastly, you must still understand and anticipate enemy attacks, since evading too early of a prolonged preparation could conclude your immunity prior to the hit connecting… resulting in severe damage.

A Harmonious System

While dodge-rolling in quick succession could appear somewhat silly (credit to Geralt once more), this isn't really an option in Elden Ring. Certainly, that doesn't render it a believable fighting maneuver — the very cause why it would be dreadful to see it in a game like a historical simulation — yet we're discussing a dazzling imaginative experience under discussion, thus why worry?

Comparable to any well-executed dodge roll, Elden Ring's evasion sequence is enhanced with a little somersault-y hop at the beginning, giving it an energetic feel rather than dropping the character downward. Based on your equipment, the maneuver might appear incredibly quick or relatively slow, however, it's consistently swifter and more seamless than the rolling dodges found in the earlier games. Admittedly, you could plant your oversized sword in the dirt if you're carrying one, but that's your responsibility for not just playing a crossbow (In jest — steer clear of Elden Ring with a crossbow).

The Perfect Balance

The game's dodging mechanic creates the perfect balance between challenge and opportunity, granting chances of triumph while endangering that very prospect at the slightest mistake. Perfect this move, and you'll be rewarded with not just victory, but satisfaction.