Having spent time with the popular action RPG, or just about any 3D action game, chances are you're familiar with the wonderful technique referred to as the “dodge roll.” This evasion technique allows your character to perform a front, lateral, or rearward ground roll to dodge any enemy attacks and move away from opponents. Sounds handy, wouldn't you say?
This rolling move, however, has attracted plenty of criticism, not simply as a result of the somersault; it's been called dumb, a cheap tactic, and an unbelievable technique — and sometimes, I see the point. Just imagine me somersaulting past nearby enemy groups in The Witcher 3 — they can't hit me! But the title's dodge roll stands as the roll to top all dodge rolls dodge rolls, and here's the reason.
Regarding this title, the creators discovered a clever approach to counter all sentiments that the move is too easy: just grant all foes excessive power, increase it further, and all heroes who approaches them will be eternally grateful thanks to their rolling skill, myself included. With so much on the line, evading successfully comes across as a triumph, instead of an unfair advantage.
No alternative avoidance technique in this RPG comes close to this level of gratification and consistency, because swift moves offer limited distance and blocking attempts are easily broken by tough opponents. One player advised jumping as a go-to Elden Ring dodging technique, but besides failing to offer perfect repositioning, It wasn't clear to me receiving a fatal blow would improve my chances of defeating bosses (skill issue, perhaps).
Learning the Move
But even though the dodge roll provides relief in an otherwise brutal game, it isn't without skill. First of all, Elden Ring's dodge roll merely initiates a frame of protection after you stop pressing the roll control, which stops a hasty, frantic retreat from dire situations. Furthermore, while it might transport you away from foes, it's much better to employ it as a chance to get closer, preferably behind the opponent, and deliver attacks. And, finally, it remains necessary to grasp and foresee foe assaults, as dodging at the start of a long charging animation might terminate your protection ahead of the attack striking… resulting in severe damage.
A Well-Designed Feature
While dodge-rolling in quick succession might seem rather absurd (kudos to the Witcher anew), this isn't really an option in this title. Certainly, that doesn't render it a believable fighting maneuver — the very cause why it would be terrifying to experience it in a product like a historical simulation — but this is a dazzling imaginative experience being considered, therefore, it doesn't matter?
Similar to any respectable evasion move, the game's evasion sequence is spruced up with a brief tumbling leap at the beginning, offering a lively impression rather than plopping the player onto the ground. According to your loadout, the move can feel super agile or somewhat sluggish, however, it's consistently faster and more fluid than the evasion moves used in the earlier games. Admittedly, you could plant your oversized sword on the floor when wielding such equipment, but that's your responsibility for failing to use ranged weapons (I'm joking — don't play the game with projectile weapons).
The Perfect Balance
Elden Ring's dodging mechanic forms an optimal harmony between obstacle and possibility, providing prospects of success while threatening to take that hope away at the slightest mistake. Master this technique, and you'll obtain not only success, but gratification.
