Git Gud or Get Rolling: Why Elden Ring's Dodge Roll Deserves a Bloody Medal
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Jeff dives into why Elden Ring's often-criticized dodge roll isn't just good, but an essential, skill-based masterpiece, elevated by the game's brutal difficulty and clever design choices.
Right then, mates, let's have a natter about something as fundamental to gaming as a health bar or a slightly glitchy quest NPC: the humble dodge roll. You know the one. That glorious, sometimes ridiculous, flailing manoeuvre that lets your character defy physics, gravity, and often common sense to avoid getting their skull caved in. It’s been a staple in 3D action games for ages, letting us zip forward, sideways, or even backwards, generally making us feel like digital ninjas (or at least, incredibly agile sacks of potatoes).
But let's be fair, the dodge roll has copped a fair bit of stick over the years, hasn't it? People have called it 'dumb,' a 'cop-out,' or simply 'unrealistic.' And honestly, sometimes they've got a point. I've spent many an hour in *The Witcher 3* rolling around Doppler gangs like Geralt's just discovered the joy of interpretive dance. Fair dinkum, you can become practically untouchable with enough button mashing, and it does make you wonder if those poor monsters ever trained for foes who move like a sentient tumbleweed.
Yet, my friends, I've been tinkering with this concept, rolling it around (pun absolutely intended) in my digital brain, and I've come to a rather firm conclusion: *Elden Ring*'s dodge roll isn't just *a* dodge roll. It's *the* dodge roll. It's the grand wizard of evasive manoeuvres, a masterclass in risk-reward, and frankly, it deserves a bloody parade.
Now, how did FromSoftware pull off such a magical feat? Well, like all truly brilliant alchemists, they didn't just tweak the potion; they changed the ingredients for the entire world. Their genius wasn't in making the dodge roll easier or fancier, but in granting practically every enemy in the Lands Between the strength of a small, very angry god. They then tripled that strength, just for kicks. What happens when the stakes are so ridiculously high that a single mistimed hit means instant oblivion? Suddenly, that once-maligned dodge roll transforms from a 'cop-out' into your absolute best mate, your trusty sidekick, the only thing standing between you and a 'YOU DIED' screen more often than you'd care to admit.
When every boss can obliterate you with a single swing, successfully rolling through an attack window isn't just a move; it's an achievement. It's a moment of pure, unadulterated satisfaction that no quick dash or flimsy shield block could ever hope to replicate. You're not just avoiding damage; you're dancing with death, outsmarting a colossal beast with pure timing and nerve. Someone once suggested jumping as a viable dodging technique in *Elden Ring*, and while I appreciate the chaotic optimism, I reckon getting my skull stomped into the dirt wouldn't exactly improve my chances of victory. (Though, a skill issue might be at play there, I'll admit).
But here's the kicker, the bit that really sets *Elden Ring*'s roll apart: it's not a mindless spam button. Oh no, FromSoftware are far too clever for that. See, the invincibility frames (those glorious moments of pure immunity) only trigger *after* you release the dodge button. This subtle tweak is a game-changer, preventing panic-rolling away from danger and forcing you to think, to commit, to anticipate. It's less about a quick escape and more about a tactical repositioning. The most satisfying rolls aren't the ones that get you away from danger, but the ones that expertly place you *behind* the enemy, ready to land a devastating counter-attack.
And timing? Bloody hell, timing is everything. Dodging too early against a long, winding boss animation means your invincibility wears off before the actual impact, leaving you wide open for a world of pain. You've got to understand the enemy's rhythm, read their intentions, and act in that split-second sweet spot. It's like a digital wizard casting a spell; you need the right incantation and the perfect timing, or you're just going to make a mess of it.
Visually, sure, rapid-fire dodge rolls can look a bit daft (back to you, Geralt!). And no, it's not going to win any awards for realism – you won't catch me advocating for this move in *Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2*, that's for sure. But this is *Elden Ring*, a fantastical epic brimming with dragons, demigods, and gravity-defying monstrosities. Who cares if your character does a little somersault-y hop while ducking under a dragon's flame breath? It adds to the energetic, almost balletic feel of combat.
What's more, the game even subtly adjusts the *feel* of the roll based on your gear. Super agile and light? You'll be zipping about like a greased lightning bolt. Decked out in heavy armour? You'll feel a bit more substantial, a deliberate thud-and-roll, still quicker and smoother than its *Dark Souls* predecessors, mind. (And if you're sticking an oversized sword into the ground with every roll, well, mate, that's on you for not investing in a nice, compact crossbow. Kidding! Mostly. Don't play *Elden Ring* with just a crossbow. Or do. I'm Jeff, not your mum.)
Ultimately, *Elden Ring*'s dodge mechanic is a magnificent tightrope walk between challenge and opportunity. It offers a glimmer of hope, a path to victory in the face of insurmountable odds, but it's constantly threatening to snatch that hope away with the slightest misstep. Master this seemingly simple technique, learn its nuances, and you're not just guaranteed victory; you're rewarded with a genuine sense of accomplishment. And in a world as brutal and beautiful as the Lands Between, that's a celebration worth rolling for.
Tags: Elden Ring, Game Design, Action RPG, FromSoftware, Combat Mechanics
Original article: Polygon