The Game's Evasion Move Warrants to Be Celebrated

For those who have experienced this acclaimed title, or nearly any third-person combat game, chances are you're well-versed in the glorious feature called the “evasion roll.” This avoidance maneuver enables your hero to carry out a forward, sideways, or backward ground roll to avoid any enemy attacks and create distance from the bad guy. Seems useful, doesn't it?

The dodge roll, though, has attracted significant backlash, not simply as a result of the somersault; some have dubbed it unintelligent, a cheap tactic, and an unbelievable technique — and sometimes, I concur. Just imagine me somersaulting past nearby enemy groups in another popular RPG — they can't hit me! But the title's dodge roll stands as the roll to outdo all previous evasion moves, and I'll tell you why.

Regarding this title, the designers identified a great way to respond to all views suggesting the technique is overly simple: simply give every enemy overwhelming force, increase it further, and all heroes who dares come near them will be eternally grateful because of their evasion move, myself included. Given the intense difficulty, pulling off a perfect dodge feels like an achievement, instead of an unfair advantage.

No different defensive move in Elden Ring comes close to this level of gratification and consistency, as quick dashes provide minimal movement and blocking attempts get quickly shattered by powerful foes. One player advised hopping as the main game avoidance strategy, but aside from not providing perfect repositioning, It wasn't clear to me getting my skull smashed in could enhance my odds of overcoming challenges (lack of skill, maybe).

Learning the Move

While the dodge roll provides relief in an incredibly challenging experience, it isn't without skill. To begin with, the game's dodge roll merely initiates a window of invulnerability following you release the dodge button, which prevents a quick, panicky escape from perilous circumstances. Moreover, while it might carry you off from opponents, it's much better to utilize it as a moment to advance, ideally to their rear, and strike blows. Lastly, you still need grasp and foresee foe assaults, as dodging at the start of a long charging animation might terminate your protection prior to the hit connecting… causing significant harm.

A Well-Designed Feature

While dodge-rolling in fast repetition might seem rather absurd (credit to Geralt once more), this isn't truly feasible in this title. Of course, that still doesn't make it a believable battle technique — the very cause why it would be pure horror to see it in a game like a historical simulation — however, this is a spectacular magical game under discussion, so who cares?

Similar to any respectable dodge roll, the game's rolling animation is enhanced with a little somersault-y hop at the beginning, providing a dynamic sensation as opposed to placing the avatar onto the ground. According to your loadout, the move can feel extremely nimble or relatively slow, but it remains quicker and smoother than the rolling dodges used in the earlier games. Admittedly, you may embed 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 with a crossbow).

The Perfect Balance

The game's evasion system forms an optimal harmony between challenge and opportunity, providing prospects of success while risking the loss of that hope at the smallest error. Learn this skill, and you'll be rewarded with more than triumph, but gratification.

Mr. Stephen Day
Mr. Stephen Day

A seasoned journalist specializing in royal affairs with over a decade of experience covering British monarchy events.