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If you've played the popular action RPG, or most other 3D action game, you're probably acquainted with the wonderful feature known as the “dodge roll.” This evasion technique allows your character to perform a front, lateral, or rearward ground roll to evade any enemy attacks and create distance from foes. Appears practical, wouldn't you say?

The evasion roll, however, has gotten significant backlash, and not only because of the rolling; it's been called unintelligent, a cop-out, and an unrealistic move — and sometimes, I concur. Picture me rolling around local Doppler gangs in The Witcher 3 — can't touch this Geralt! But Elden Ring's dodge roll represents the evasion to surpass every other 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: just grant all foes overwhelming force, increase it further, and every Tarnished who dares come near them will appreciate deeply thanks to their rolling skill, me included. With so much on the line, evading successfully comes across as a triumph, instead of an unfair advantage.

No different defensive move in this RPG approaches this sense of satisfaction and consistency, since rapid sprints provide minimal movement and guard stances get quickly shattered by tough opponents. One player advised leaping as the primary game evasion method, but in addition to lacking ideal movement, I didn't see how receiving a fatal blow might boost my prospects of defeating bosses (inexperience, possibly).

Perfecting the Skill

But even though this evasion move offers respite in an otherwise brutal game, it demands ability. First of all, the game's dodge roll just activates a frame of protection after you release the roll control, which stops a quick, panicky escape from dire situations. Moreover, although it may transport you away from opponents, it's far more effective to utilize it as a moment to advance, ideally to their rear, and land some hits. And, finally, it remains necessary to comprehend and predict enemy attacks, as dodging at the start of a prolonged preparation may end your invincibility ahead of the attack striking… which will seriously hurt.

A Well-Designed Feature

Although evasion-rolling in rapid sequence may look a bit ridiculous (give it up for Geralt again), this isn't really an option in this title. Certainly, that fails to transform it into a realistic fighting maneuver — the very cause why it would be pure horror to see it in a game like Kingdom Come: Deliverance — yet we're discussing a flashy fantasy title being considered, so who cares?

Similar to any respectable rolling dodge, the game's evasion sequence is improved by a little somersault-y hop at the commencement, providing a dynamic sensation rather than placing the avatar on the floor. According to your loadout, the technique may seem super agile or somewhat sluggish, yet it's always swifter and more seamless than the rolling dodges featured in the previous titles. Certainly, you may embed your oversized sword on the floor while equipped with it, but that's your own fault for not just playing alternative arms (Just kidding — don't play Elden Ring using ranged options).

Ideal Equilibrium

The game's avoidance feature forms an optimal harmony between difficulty and chance, granting chances of triumph while threatening to take that hope away at the smallest error. Perfect this move, and you'll obtain not just victory, but satisfaction.