🔗 Share this article

For those who have experienced the popular action RPG, or nearly any action-adventure title, you're probably familiar with the fantastic feature known as the “dodge roll.” This evasion technique enables your hero to perform a forward, sideways, or backward tumble to avoid all incoming damage and create distance from the bad guy. Sounds handy, wouldn't you say?

The evasion roll, nevertheless, has received significant backlash, and not only because of the rolling; some have dubbed it dumb, a cop-out, and an implausible action — and occasionally, I see the point. Just imagine me tumbling about hostile mobs in another popular RPG — they can't hit me! But the title's rolling dodge is the dodge roll to top all dodge rolls rolling dodges, and let me explain.

For this particular game, the creators discovered an excellent method to counter all sentiments claiming the maneuver is overly simple: merely bestow every enemy unreasonable strength, increase it further, and each player character who approaches them will appreciate deeply for their dodge-roll ability, me included. Given the intense difficulty, evading successfully seems like an accomplishment, not a cheat.

No other evasion method in this RPG matches this level of gratification and reliability, since rapid sprints offer limited distance and guard stances are readily overcome by powerful foes. One player advised leaping as the primary game evasion method, but aside from not providing optimal placement, I didn't see how getting my skull smashed in might boost my prospects of beating enemies (lack of skill, maybe).

Mastering the Technique

Although the rolling dodge grants reprieve in an otherwise brutal game, it requires practice. To begin with, the game's evasion move just activates a window of invulnerability once you let go of the dodge button, which stops a rapid, fearful withdrawal from dangerous scenarios. Moreover, while it might carry you off from opponents, it's much better to utilize it as a moment to move nearer, ideally to their rear, and deliver attacks. In conclusion, you still need comprehend and predict opponent moves, since evading too early of a long charging animation may end your invincibility ahead of the attack striking… resulting in severe damage.

A Well-Designed Feature

Although evasion-rolling in rapid sequence might seem rather absurd (kudos to the Witcher anew), this isn't really an option in Elden Ring. Of course, that still doesn't make it a believable combat move — the very cause why it would be terrifying to witness it in a title like Kingdom Come: Deliverance — but this is a dazzling imaginative experience being considered, therefore, it doesn't matter?

Comparable to any well-executed evasion move, the game's dodge motion is improved by a little somersault-y hop at the beginning, providing a dynamic sensation rather than plopping the player on the floor. Depending on your gear, the move can feel super agile or somewhat sluggish, however, it's consistently swifter and more seamless than the rolling dodges featured in the previous titles. Admittedly, you could plant your large weapon into the ground when wielding such equipment, but that's on you for not just playing a crossbow (Just kidding — steer clear of the game with projectile weapons).

Optimal Harmony

The game's evasion system establishes an ideal equilibrium between challenge and opportunity, offering hope of victory while endangering that very prospect at the smallest error. Learn this skill, and you'll gain not only success, but gratification.