For those who have experienced this acclaimed title, or just about any third-person combat game, you're probably familiar with the fantastic mechanic referred to as the “dodge roll.” This evasion technique allows your character to perform a front, lateral, or rearward somersault to avoid incoming harm and create distance from foes. Seems useful, wouldn't you say?
The evasion roll, though, has attracted significant backlash, and not only as a result of the somersault; it's been called foolish, a cheap tactic, and an unrealistic move — and sometimes, I see the point. Just imagine me somersaulting past nearby enemy groups in The Witcher 3 — can't touch this Geralt! But the title's rolling dodge stands as the roll to surpass every other evasion moves, and I'll tell you why.
Regarding this title, the designers identified a clever approach to address all opinions suggesting the technique is not challenging enough: just grant every enemy excessive power, multiply it, and all heroes who ventures close them will be eternally grateful for their dodge-roll ability, me included. Given the intense difficulty, pulling off a perfect dodge comes across as a triumph, instead of an unfair advantage.
No alternative avoidance technique in this RPG approaches this sense of satisfaction and consistency, because swift moves provide minimal movement and defensive postures are readily overcome by powerful foes. One player advised leaping as the primary Elden Ring avoidance strategy, but besides failing to offer ideal movement, It wasn't clear to me receiving a fatal blow might boost my prospects of beating enemies (lack of skill, maybe).
Learning the Move
While this evasion move provides relief in an incredibly challenging experience, it isn't without skill. First of all, the game's rolling dodge just activates a frame of protection after you stop pressing the evasion key, which prevents a quick, panicky escape from dire situations. Additionally, even though it can carry you off from enemies, it's far more effective to use it as an opportunity to move nearer, ideally to their rear, and strike blows. Lastly, you must still understand and anticipate foe assaults, because rolling prematurely of an extended wind-up might terminate your protection before the blow lands… resulting in severe damage.
A Balanced Mechanic
While dodge-rolling in quick succession could appear somewhat silly (credit to Geralt once more), this isn't practically possible in this title. Of course, that still doesn't make it a realistic battle technique — exactly the reason it would be pure horror to witness it in a title like a historical simulation — however, this is a dazzling imaginative experience under discussion, thus why worry?
Comparable to any well-executed dodge roll, the game's evasion sequence is spruced up with a small acrobatic jump at the start, giving it an energetic feel instead of plopping the player downward. According to your loadout, the move can feel super agile or somewhat sluggish, however, it's consistently quicker and smoother than the dodge rolls featured in the previous titles. Admittedly, you could plant your big blade on the floor while equipped with it, but that's on you for not just playing alternative arms (I'm joking — avoid using Elden Ring with a crossbow).
The Perfect Balance
The game's dodging mechanic forms an optimal harmony between difficulty and chance, providing prospects of success while risking the loss of that hope at the slightest mistake. Perfect this move, and you'll gain more than triumph, but satisfaction.
