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Having spent time with the popular action RPG, or nearly any action-adventure title, you're likely familiar with the glorious technique referred to as the “evasion roll.” This defensive move lets your avatar to carry out a front, lateral, or rearward somersault to avoid incoming harm and create distance from foes. Appears practical, wouldn't you say?

This rolling move, though, has gotten significant backlash, not simply because of the rolling; it's been labeled foolish, a cheap tactic, and an unbelievable technique — and sometimes, I agree. Picture me somersaulting past local Doppler gangs in The Witcher 3 — untouchable! But this game's evasion move is the dodge roll to top all dodge rolls evasion moves, and here's the reason.

In Elden Ring's case, the designers identified a clever approach to counter all sentiments suggesting the technique is not challenging enough: simply give every enemy unreasonable strength, triple that, and every Tarnished who approaches them will feel immensely thankful thanks to their rolling skill, myself included. When the stakes are this high, evading successfully seems like an accomplishment, instead of an unfair advantage.

No other evasion method in the game matches this sense of satisfaction and dependability, since rapid sprints provide minimal movement and defensive postures get quickly shattered by strong enemies. A person once suggested hopping as the main game dodging technique, but in addition to lacking perfect repositioning, I couldn't understand how getting my skull smashed in would improve my chances of overcoming challenges (inexperience, possibly).

Mastering the Technique

While the rolling dodge provides relief in an otherwise brutal game, it isn't without skill. To begin with, this title's dodge roll just activates a window of invulnerability after you stop pressing the dodge button, which hinders a hasty, frantic retreat from dire situations. Moreover, while it might transport you away from enemies, it's significantly more useful to utilize it as a moment to get closer, preferably behind the opponent, and land some hits. And, finally, it remains necessary to understand and anticipate opponent moves, as dodging at the start of an extended wind-up could conclude your immunity prior to the hit connecting… resulting in severe damage.

A Harmonious System

While dodge-rolling in rapid sequence could appear somewhat silly (give it up for Geralt again), this isn't really an option in this title. Naturally, that fails to transform it into a believable battle technique — the very cause why it would be terrifying to witness it in a title like a realism-focused RPG — but this is a flashy fantasy title under discussion, so who cares?

Like any proper evasion move, this title's rolling animation is spruced up with a brief tumbling leap at the beginning, providing a dynamic sensation as opposed to placing the avatar on the floor. Depending on your gear, the technique may seem extremely nimble or relatively slow, but it remains faster and more fluid than the evasion moves used in Dark Souls. True, you could plant your oversized sword into the ground if you're carrying one, but that's your responsibility for not just playing a crossbow (In jest — steer clear of Elden Ring with a crossbow).

Optimal Harmony

The game's avoidance feature establishes an ideal equilibrium between obstacle and possibility, providing prospects of success while endangering that very prospect at the tiniest misstep. Perfect this move, and you'll obtain not only success, but satisfaction.