The Game's Dodge Roll Deserves to Be Celebrated
Having spent time with this acclaimed title, or just about any 3D action game, you're probably well-versed in the fantastic mechanic called the “rolling dodge.” This avoidance maneuver lets your avatar to execute a front, lateral, or rearward tumble to avoid any enemy attacks and gain space from the bad guy. Seems useful, wouldn't you say?
The dodge roll, though, has gotten a lot of flak, and not only due to the tumbling; some have dubbed it dumb, a easy way out, and an unrealistic move — and sometimes, I see the point. Picture me somersaulting past hostile mobs in a well-known fantasy game — they can't hit me! But this game's rolling dodge stands as the roll to top all dodge rolls rolling dodges, and I'll tell you why.
For this particular game, the developers found a great way to counter all sentiments that the move is too easy: just grant every enemy overwhelming force, multiply it, and every Tarnished who dares come near them will be eternally grateful for their dodge-roll ability, I'm no exception. Given the intense difficulty, evading successfully seems like an accomplishment, not a cheat.
No other evasion method in Elden Ring matches this level of gratification and dependability, since rapid sprints don't cover much ground and defensive postures are easily broken by tough opponents. One player advised jumping as a go-to Elden Ring evasion method, but aside from not providing ideal movement, It wasn't clear to me taking a crushing hit could enhance my odds of overcoming challenges (lack of skill, maybe).
Mastering the Technique
Although the dodge roll grants reprieve in an otherwise brutal game, it isn't without skill. First of all, Elden Ring's dodge roll just activates a window of invulnerability following you let go of the dodge button, which hinders a quick, panicky escape from perilous circumstances. Furthermore, while it might move you aside from foes, it's significantly more useful to utilize it as a moment to move nearer, preferably behind the opponent, and land some hits. And, finally, it remains necessary to understand and anticipate opponent moves, because rolling prematurely of an extended wind-up may end your invincibility prior to the hit connecting… resulting in severe damage.
A Well-Designed Feature
While dodge-rolling in fast repetition might seem rather absurd (kudos to the Witcher anew), this isn't practically possible in this title. Of course, that still doesn't make it a realistic combat move — which is precisely why it would be dreadful to see it in a game like Kingdom Come: Deliverance — however, this is a flashy fantasy title we're talking about, thus why worry?
Comparable to any well-executed evasion move, the game's evasion sequence is spruced up with a small acrobatic jump at the beginning, giving it an energetic feel instead of plopping the player onto the ground. According to your loadout, the technique may seem super agile or relatively slow, yet it's always swifter and more seamless than the dodge rolls found in the earlier games. Certainly, you will stick your large weapon on the floor when wielding such equipment, but that's on you for failing to use alternative arms (I'm joking — don't play the game with a crossbow).
Ideal Equilibrium
The game's dodging mechanic creates the perfect balance 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 gain not only success, but satisfaction.
