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Having spent time with this acclaimed title, or just about any third-person combat game, you're likely well-versed in the fantastic technique called the “evasion roll.” This avoidance maneuver lets your avatar to perform a forward, sideways, or backward ground roll to dodge any enemy attacks and gain space from opponents. Appears practical, doesn't it?

The evasion roll, though, has received significant backlash, not simply because of the rolling; some have dubbed it unintelligent, a cheap tactic, and an unrealistic move — and occasionally, I concur. You should see me tumbling about local Doppler gangs in another popular RPG — they can't hit me! But this game's rolling dodge stands as the roll to top all dodge rolls evasion moves, and here's the reason.

Regarding this title, the designers identified a great way to counter all sentiments suggesting the technique is too easy: merely bestow all foes excessive power, multiply it, and each player character who approaches them will feel immensely thankful because of their evasion move, me included. With so much on the line, evading successfully feels like an achievement, rather than a cheap trick.

No other evasion method in Elden Ring comes close to this feeling of accomplishment and consistency, since rapid sprints offer limited distance and defensive postures are easily broken by powerful foes. Someone once recommended hopping as the main game avoidance strategy, but in addition to lacking ideal movement, I couldn't understand how receiving a fatal blow could enhance my odds of overcoming challenges (lack of skill, maybe).

Perfecting the Skill

But even though this evasion move grants reprieve in an incredibly challenging experience, it demands ability. Firstly, the game's dodge roll only triggers a window of invulnerability following you release the roll control, which prevents a hasty, frantic retreat from dire situations. Additionally, while it might move you aside from enemies, it's much better to utilize it as a moment to advance, preferably behind the opponent, and deliver attacks. And, finally, it remains necessary to comprehend and predict enemy attacks, as dodging at the start of an extended wind-up could conclude your immunity before the blow lands… which will seriously hurt.

A Well-Designed Feature

Even though rolling-dodging in fast repetition may look a bit ridiculous (kudos to the Witcher anew), this isn't practically possible in Elden Ring. Naturally, that still doesn't make it a realistic battle technique — the very cause why it would be terrifying to experience it in a product like Kingdom Come: Deliverance — yet we're discussing a flashy fantasy title being considered, therefore, it doesn't matter?

Similar to any respectable evasion move, the game's dodge motion is enhanced with a brief tumbling leap at the beginning, offering a lively impression rather than placing the avatar downward. Based on your equipment, the technique may seem super agile or relatively slow, yet it's always faster and more fluid than the dodge rolls used in the earlier games. Admittedly, you will stick your big blade on the floor if you're carrying one, but that's your responsibility for failing to use ranged weapons (Just kidding — avoid using Elden Ring using ranged options).

The Perfect Balance

The game's evasion system establishes an ideal equilibrium between challenge and opportunity, offering hope of victory while threatening to take that hope away at the smallest error. Perfect this move, and you'll be rewarded with more than triumph, but satisfaction.