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If you've played the popular action RPG, or nearly any third-person combat game, chances are you're familiar with the wonderful technique referred to as the “evasion roll.” This defensive move lets your avatar to perform a front, lateral, or rearward tumble to evade all incoming damage and gain space from foes. Seems useful, doesn't it?

The dodge roll, though, has attracted significant backlash, and not just because of the rolling; it's been called unintelligent, a easy way out, and an unbelievable technique — and occasionally, I agree. Picture me tumbling about nearby enemy groups in The Witcher 3 — can't touch this Geralt! But the title's evasion move is the dodge roll to top all dodge rolls dodge rolls, and let me explain.

In Elden Ring's case, the designers identified a clever approach to address all opinions that the move is too easy: merely bestow all foes overwhelming force, triple that, and each player character who ventures close them will appreciate deeply for their dodge-roll ability, myself included. Given the intense difficulty, pulling off a perfect dodge comes across as a triumph, rather than a cheap trick.

No different defensive move in the game approaches this level of gratification and dependability, as quick dashes don't cover much ground and defensive postures are readily overcome by powerful foes. Someone once recommended hopping as the main game avoidance strategy, but aside from not providing optimal placement, It wasn't clear to me receiving a fatal blow might boost my prospects of overcoming challenges (inexperience, possibly).

Mastering the Technique

Although the dodge roll grants reprieve in an incredibly challenging experience, it requires practice. Firstly, this title's rolling dodge only triggers a period of immunity following you release the evasion key, which prevents a hasty, frantic retreat from dire situations. Furthermore, even though it can carry you off from enemies, it's much better to utilize it as a moment to move nearer, ideally to their rear, and deliver attacks. In conclusion, you must still 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 Harmonious System

While dodge-rolling in rapid sequence could appear somewhat silly (kudos to the Witcher anew), this isn't really an option in this title. Naturally, that still doesn't make it a believable battle technique — exactly the reason it would be pure horror to witness it in a title like a realism-focused RPG — however, this is a spectacular magical game under discussion, therefore, it doesn't matter?

Similar to any respectable rolling dodge, the game's rolling animation is spruced up with a little somersault-y hop at the beginning, offering a lively impression instead of dropping the character onto the ground. Depending on your gear, the move can feel super agile or relatively slow, however, it's consistently quicker and smoother than the rolling dodges found in the previous titles. Admittedly, you will stick your big blade in the dirt while equipped with it, but that's on you for failing to use alternative arms (In jest — don't play Elden Ring with projectile weapons).

The Perfect Balance

The game's evasion system creates the perfect balance between challenge and opportunity, offering hope of victory while endangering that very prospect at the smallest error. Learn this skill, and you'll be rewarded with more than triumph, but satisfaction.