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If you've played Elden Ring, or nearly any 3D action game, you're probably acquainted with the glorious feature known as the “evasion roll.” This avoidance maneuver allows your character to execute a forward, sideways, or backward tumble to evade all incoming damage and create distance from foes. Sounds handy, right?

This rolling move, though, has gotten a lot of flak, and not just because of the rolling; it's been labeled foolish, a cop-out, and an implausible action — and occasionally, I concur. You should see me rolling around local Doppler gangs in another popular RPG — untouchable! But the title's evasion move is the dodge roll to outdo all previous dodge rolls, and let me explain.

Regarding this title, the creators discovered a great way to address all opinions claiming the maneuver is too easy: just grant each opponent unreasonable strength, triple that, and every Tarnished who dares come near them will feel immensely thankful thanks to their rolling skill, I'm no exception. Given the intense difficulty, successfully rolling to victory feels like an achievement, rather than a cheap trick.

No alternative avoidance technique in this RPG comes close to this feeling of accomplishment and reliability, as quick dashes don't cover much ground and defensive postures are easily broken by powerful foes. Someone once recommended leaping as the primary game avoidance strategy, but in addition to lacking perfect repositioning, I couldn't understand how receiving a fatal blow would improve my chances of overcoming challenges (inexperience, possibly).

Mastering the Technique

Although the dodge roll provides relief in a famously difficult title, it demands ability. First of all, the game's rolling dodge just activates a window of invulnerability once you stop pressing the dodge button, which prevents a quick, panicky escape from dire situations. Additionally, while it might move you aside from opponents, it's far more effective to utilize it as a moment to advance, ideally to their rear, and strike blows. In conclusion, it remains necessary to understand and anticipate opponent moves, because rolling prematurely of a prolonged preparation could conclude your immunity ahead of the attack striking… causing significant harm.

A Well-Designed Feature

Even though rolling-dodging in rapid sequence could appear somewhat silly (give it up for Geralt again), this isn't truly feasible in Elden Ring. Naturally, that still doesn't make it a realistic battle technique — exactly the reason it would be pure horror to experience it in a product like a realism-focused RPG — but this is a dazzling imaginative experience being considered, so who cares?

Like any proper rolling dodge, the game's evasion sequence is improved by a little somersault-y hop at the start, giving it an energetic feel as opposed to plopping the player on the floor. Based on your equipment, the move can feel extremely nimble or somewhat sluggish, however, it's consistently quicker and smoother than the dodge rolls found in Dark Souls. Admittedly, you could plant your big blade on the floor while equipped with it, but that's your own fault for failing to use ranged weapons (Just kidding — don't play Elden Ring with projectile weapons).

Optimal Harmony

Elden Ring's evasion system forms an optimal harmony between obstacle and possibility, providing prospects of success while threatening to take that hope away at the slightest mistake. Learn this skill, and you'll be rewarded with more than triumph, but gratification.