In the treacherous realm of Elden Ring, mastering the art of combat is paramount for survival. Among the many techniques that warriors can employ, parrying and two-handing weapons are indispensable skills that can elevate your chances of victory. Whether you seek to deflect enemy attacks with precision or wield the power of your weapons with unmatched force, this guide will delve into these essential techniques to empower you on your perilous journey through the Lands Between.
Parrying is a defensive maneuver that allows you to deflect enemy attacks, creating an opening for a swift counterattack. Timing is crucial in the art of parrying, as your shield must meet the incoming strike at the precise moment of impact. If executed successfully, the enemy’s attack will be deflected, leaving them momentarily stunned. This brief window of opportunity provides an ideal moment to retaliate with your own attack, potentially inflicting significant damage or interrupting their attack pattern.
Two-handing a weapon is a power stance that grants you increased strength and allows you to wield larger weapons with greater effectiveness. By holding your weapon with both hands, you sacrifice the ability to use a shield, but in return, you gain access to unique attack animations and enhanced damage output. Two-handing certain weapons, such as colossal swords or halberds, unlocks powerful charged attacks that can devastate enemies or break through their defenses. However, it is important to note that while you wield the weapon two-handed, you will be more vulnerable to enemy attacks as your shield is no longer available for protection.
Mastering the Art of Parrying
Parrying is an essential combat mechanic in Elden Ring that allows you to deflect enemy attacks and create openings for counterattacks. To successfully parry, you must time your block precisely when an enemy attack is incoming. If executed correctly, you will deflect the attack and stagger the enemy, providing you with a brief window to retaliate.
To perform a parry, you must first equip a weapon or shield with the Parry skill. Once equipped, you can initiate a parry by pressing the Block button as an enemy attack is about to hit you. The timing for parrying is crucial and can take practice to master. If you parry too early, you will simply block the attack. If you parry too late, you will be hit by the attack.
Parrying is a high-risk, high-reward technique that can be extremely effective against certain enemies. However, it requires precise timing and can be difficult to pull off consistently. With practice and patience, you can master the art of parrying and become a formidable opponent in Elden Ring.
Timing the Parry
The key to successful parrying is timing. You must press the Block button just as the enemy attack is about to hit you. The timing window is very small, so it takes practice to get it right. If you parry too early, you will simply block the attack. If you parry too late, you will be hit by the attack.
There are a few different ways to improve your timing. One is to practice against weak enemies that have slow attacks. This will give you a chance to experiment with the timing without having to worry about getting killed. Another way to improve your timing is to watch the enemy’s attack animations. Each enemy has a unique attack pattern, so it’s important to learn the timing for each one.
| Attack | Timing |
|---|---|
| Sword Slash | Just as the sword is about to hit you |
| Thrust | Just as the thrust is about to hit you |
| Sweep | Just as the sweep is about to hit you |
Unveiling Two-Handed Weaponry
Emphasize the power and versatility of wielding weapons with both hands in Elden Ring.
Explain that two-handing a weapon increases its damage output and stance, making it ideal for aggressive combat and powerful attacks.
Discuss the tactical advantages of two-handing weapons, such as increased stability and the ability to break through enemy defenses.
| Benefits of Two-Handing |
|---|
| Increased damage output |
| Improved stance for more effective attacks |
| Increased stability |
| Ability to break through enemy defenses |
Timing is Everything: The Essence of Parrying
Parrying is a vital technique in Elden Ring, allowing you to deflect enemy attacks and open up opportunities for devastating counters. Mastering the timing is crucial, as a successful parry requires you to activate it at the precise moment the enemy’s weapon is about to strike. To improve your parrying skills, practice on weaker enemies, observe the attack patterns of different opponents, and experiment with different timing windows.
The timing window for parrying varies slightly depending on the weapon and shield you’re using. Generally, the optimal moment to parry is just before the enemy’s weapon makes contact with yours. It’s recommended to start practicing by parrying slower attacks, such as those from large enemies, and gradually move on to faster attacks as your confidence grows.
Advanced Parrying Techniques
Once you’ve mastered the basics of parrying, you can explore more advanced techniques to further enhance your defensive capabilities. One such technique is “guard-cancelling,” which involves using the parry animation to interrupt an ongoing guard and transition into a more advantageous position. This can be used to parry multiple attacks in quick succession or to bait an enemy into attacking while you’re already prepared to parry.
Another advanced technique is “perfect parrying,” which occurs when you parry an enemy’s attack at the absolute last moment. Perfect parries grant a brief window of opportunity to initiate a critical riposte, causing significant damage to the enemy. Perfect parrying is extremely difficult to pull off consistently, but it can be a game-changer in challenging encounters.
| Parrying Technique | Description |
|---|---|
| Standard Parry | Parrying an enemy’s attack with a shield or weapon |
| Guard-Cancelling | Using the parry animation to interrupt an ongoing guard |
| Perfect Parry | Parrying an enemy’s attack at the last possible moment |
Positioning and Reflexes: Essential Elements for Success
Mastering the art of parrying or two-handing a weapon in Elden Ring requires two fundamental skills: precise positioning and lightning-fast reflexes. Let us delve into these crucial elements.
Positioning
Positioning is critical for both parrying and two-handing. For parrying, you need to position yourself close enough to your opponent to successfully block their attacks. For two-handing, optimal positioning allows you to swing your weapon with maximum power and range.
Reflexes
Reflexes are equally vital. Parrying requires split-second timing to activate your shield or weapon art at the precise moment of your opponent’s attack. Two-handing demands rapid button inputs to execute complex combos and punish enemy openings.
Here’s a table summarizing the key aspects of positioning and reflexes for parrying and two-handing:
| Parrying | Two-Handing | |
|---|---|---|
| Positioning | Close to opponent, optimal blocking angle | Strategic positioning for maximum swing power and range |
| Reflexes | Split-second timing for parry activation | Rapid button inputs for combos and punishes |
Refining these skills through practice is crucial. Engage in combat with weaker enemies or practice against a friend to hone your timing and reflexes. As you become more proficient, you’ll find yourself effortlessly parrying and two-handing with deadly precision.
How to Parry
Parrying is a technique that allows you to deflect an enemy’s attack and leave them open to a counterattack. To parry, hold the L2 button and press the R2 button just as an enemy’s attack is about to hit you. The timing can be tricky, but with practice you’ll be able to parry most attacks.
How to Two-Hand a Weapon
Two-handing a weapon increases your strength and allows you to use certain attacks that are not available when one-handing the weapon. To two-hand a weapon, press the Triangle button while holding the weapon.
Unlocking Two-Handed Stances
There are three different two-handed stances that you can unlock for each weapon. The first stance is unlocked by default, and the other two stances are unlocked by finding the corresponding Ash of War.
Once you have found an Ash of War, you can equip it to a weapon at a Site of Grace. To equip an Ash of War, select the weapon in your inventory, then select the “Ash of War” tab. From there, you can select the Ash of War that you want to equip.
Knight’s Resolve Ash of War
The Knight’s Resolve Ash of War grants the following bonuses when two-handing a weapon:
| Bonus | Effect |
|---|---|
| Strength | +10% |
| Dexterity | +5% |
| Guard Boost | +10% |
Royal Knight’s Resolve Ash of War
The Royal Knight’s Resolve Ash of War grants the following bonuses when two-handing a weapon:
| Bonus | Effect |
|---|---|
| Strength | +15% |
| Dexterity | +10% |
| Guard Boost | +15% |
Lion’s Claw Ash of War
The Lion’s Claw Ash of War grants the following bonuses when two-handing a weapon:
| Bonus | Effect |
|---|---|
| Strength | +20% |
| Dexterity | +15% |
| Guard Boost | +20% |
Increased Damage Potential: The Power of Two Hands
Wielding a weapon with two hands significantly enhances your damage output, making it a crucial technique for maximizing your combat prowess. By combining both hands on the weapon, you increase the force and momentum behind your attacks, resulting in more substantial damage inflicted upon your foes.
The damage boost varies depending on the weapon, but it generally ranges from a 10% to a 50% increase. This enhancement can be particularly advantageous when facing formidable enemies or bosses that require every ounce of damage potential.
To two-hand a weapon, simply press the Y or Triangle button when the weapon is equipped. Your character will automatically shift into a two-handed stance, enabling you to unleash more powerful attacks.
Stat Buffs and Special Abilities
In addition to the increased damage, two-handing a weapon also provides certain stat bonuses and special abilities. Some weapons, when wielded in two hands, may grant additional strength, dexterity, or intelligence attributes, further augmenting your combat capabilities.
Furthermore, some unique weapons possess special abilities that are only activated when two-handed. These abilities can range from increased critical hit chance to unleashing devastating area-of-effect attacks. Experimenting with different two-handed weapons allows you to discover their hidden potential and tailor your combat style accordingly.
Weapon Stability and Guarding
It’s important to note that two-handing a weapon affects its stability and guarding capabilities. Weapons with lower stability have a higher chance of being staggered or deflected when attacked, making them more vulnerable to enemy retaliation. Additionally, two-handing a weapon prevents you from utilizing a shield for defense, so consider your surroundings and adjust your strategy accordingly.
| Weapon Type | Stability |
|—|—|
| Small Swords | Low |
| Straight Swords | Medium |
| Greatswords | High |
| Colossal Swords | Very High |
| Hammers | Very High |
| Axes | High |
| Spears | Medium |
| Daggers | Low |
Enhancing Stamina Consumption
Mastering the art of parrying and two-handing weapons in Elden Ring enhances both your defensive and offensive capabilities. By understanding the mechanics behind these techniques, you can optimize your stamina usage and maximize your combat effectiveness. Here’s a comprehensive guide to parrying, two-handing, and managing stamina consumption in Elden Ring:
Parrying
Parrying involves successfully blocking an enemy attack at just the right moment, deflecting it harmlessly. This technique can be immensely valuable against quick and agile enemies, allowing you to retaliate with a powerful counterattack. To parry effectively, you’ll need to equip a shield or a weapon with a parry skill and press the specified button (usually L2 on PlayStation controllers) just before the enemy’s attack connects. Timing is crucial, as parrying too early or too late will result in an ineffective block or a broken shield.
Two-Handing a Weapon
Two-handing a weapon increases both its damage output and your strength. To two-hand a weapon, simply hold the Y/Triangle button (while wielding it) to switch your grip. This technique is ideal for heavy weapons or weapons that scale well with strength. However, it comes at the cost of blocking with your shield, as you’ll only be able to hold the weapon in both hands.
Enhancing Stamina Consumption
Stamina management is crucial in Elden Ring, especially during prolonged encounters or when performing demanding actions like parrying or two-handing. Here are some tips to enhance your stamina consumption:
1. Level Up Your Endurance
As you level up, prioritize leveling your Endurance stat. This will increase your maximum stamina capacity, allowing you to perform more actions before exhausting your stamina.
2. Use Stamina-Enhancing Items
Various items in Elden Ring can replenish or enhance your stamina, such as Greenburst Crystals and Stamina-Boosting Cracked Pots. Keep a stock of these items to assist you in battle.
3. Equip Stamina-Enhancing Talismans
Certain talismans, such as the Viridian Amber Medallion, can passively boost your stamina regeneration. Equip these talismans to increase your endurance during combat.
4. Manage Your Attacks
Carefully manage your attacks to avoid unnecessary stamina consumption. Use lighter attacks or charge heavy attacks partially to conserve stamina.
5. Dodge Instead of Blocking
Whenever possible, dodge enemy attacks instead of blocking them. Dodging uses less stamina and allows you to reposition yourself effectively.
6. Optimize Your Gear
The weight of your armor and weapons affects your stamina consumption. Optimize your gear to balance protection with stamina efficiency.
7. Practice and Patience
Mastering parrying and two-handing weapons takes practice and patience. Engage in combat regularly to develop your timing, stamina management skills, and overall戦闘 prowess.
Optimizing Weapon Combinations for Two-Handed Mastery
Two-handing weapons in Elden Ring offers distinct gameplay advantages by increasing their power and changing movesets. Certain weapon combinations can be highly effective for two-handed combat, unlocking unique synergies and maximizing damage potential.
| Weapon Type | Effective Combinations |
|---|---|
| Straight Swords | Uchigatana + Wakizashi |
| Greatswords | Bloodhound’s Fang + Hoarfrost Stomp |
| Axes | Hoslow’s Axe + Golden Vow |
| Hammers | Great Club + Stone Barrage |
| Claws | Godskin Peeler + Raptor of the Mists |
| Spears and Halberds | Vyke’s War Spear + Flame of the Redmanes |
| Greatspears | Guardian’s Swordspear + Lion’s Claw |
| Fists and Claws | Status-inflicting buffs + Bestial Sling |
Additional Considerations for Two-Handed Combat
When optimizing weapon combinations for two-handed combat, consider the following factors:
- Weapon Scaling:** Weapons with high scaling for Strength or Dexterity will benefit more from two-handing.
- Weapon Moveset:** Two-handing transforms some weapon movesets, potentially making them more versatile or powerful.
- Combo Synergies:** Pairing weapons with complementary movesets can create powerful combos.
- Attribute Distribution:** Allocate sufficient Strength or Dexterity to wield weapons effectively two-handed.
- Buff Synergies:** Buffs that enhance physical damage, such as Golden Vow, can significantly increase the effectiveness of two-handed weapons.
Overcoming Two-Handed Weapon Drawbacks
Two-handing a weapon in Elden Ring provides significant benefits in damage output and poise damage. However, it also comes with drawbacks that can be mitigated with careful play and equipment choices.
1. Weighing the Benefits and Drawbacks
Before opting for a two-handed stance, consider the following advantages and disadvantages:
Benefits Drawbacks Increased damage output Reduced shield protection Improved poise damage Limited parry options 2. Improving Balance and Recovery
As two-handed weapons tend to be heavy, using talismans or armor that increases poise can help prevent staggering during attacks. Additionally, equipping weapons with faster recovery speeds allows for quicker follow-up attacks after missing.
3. Adapting Parry Styles
While two-handing precludes shield parries, it’s possible to utilize weapon parries instead. This requires timing and practice, but can be effective against fast attacks.
4. Enhancing Mobility
Two-handed weapons limit mobility, making it important to choose weapons with a longer reach to compensate. Additionally, equipment that increases stamina or reduces equipment load can improve overall agility.
5. Arming Lightweight Shields
equipping a lightweight shield can provide a small amount of protection without sacrificing the benefits of two-handing. However, timing attacks carefully to capitalize on the shield’s limited blocking ability is essential.
6. Utilizing Buffs and Consumables
Spells, talismans, and items that enhance poise, damage absorption, or recovery can offset the drawbacks of two-handing.
7. Selecting Weapons with Useful Skills
Some weapons possess skills that complement their two-handed use. These can include evasive maneuvers, crowd control abilities, or damage-boosting effects.
8. Using Two-Weapon Combinations
Equipping a lighter off-hand weapon can provide a balance between damage output and versatility. This allows for parry options, quick attacks, or a second damage type.
9. Timing Attacks Carefully
Two-handing emphasizes careful attack timing to maximize damage while minimizing vulnerablity. This requires studying enemy attack patterns, spacing, and animation cues.
How to Parry
Parrying is a crucial technique in Elden Ring combat, allowing you to deflect enemy attacks and create an opening for your own counterattack. To parry, hold the L2 button and press the Attack button (R1 or R2) just before an enemy attack connects. Timing is crucial, as parrying too early or too late will result in your character being hit.
When you parry an attack, your character will perform a riposte, dealing significant damage. Depending on the enemy attacked, the riposte animation and damage will vary. Mastering parrying can turn the tide of battle, especially against aggressive enemies.
How to Two Hand a Weapon
Two-handing a weapon alters your character’s stance and stat bonuses. To two-hand a weapon, press and hold the Triangle (PlayStation) or Y (Xbox) button while holding a weapon. Two-handing a weapon increases your strength by 50% and Dexterity by 10%, making it ideal for strength-based builds.
Two-handing also changes your attack animations, often increasing their speed and power. However, it makes you more vulnerable to interruptions and reduces your ability to block and parry.
Advanced Techniques: Finesse and Fluidity
1. Guard Counters
Guard countering allows you to retaliate immediately after blocking an enemy attack. After blocking an attack, press the Attack button (R1 or R2) to perform a guard counter. The timing is slightly more lenient than parrying, making it easier to execute.
2. Jump Attacks
Jump attacks add verticality to your combat options. Press the Jump button (X on PlayStation, A on Xbox) while pressing the Attack button to perform a jump attack. Jump attacks can hit enemies that are slightly above or behind you and stagger them for a follow-up attack.
3. Critical Hits
Critical hits deal significantly more damage than regular attacks. You can perform critical hits by attacking an enemy from behind or while they are staggered. Critical hits are essential for maximizing damage output and eliminating enemies quickly.
4. Weapon Arts
Weapon Arts are special abilities unique to each weapon. To use a Weapon Art, press the L2 button followed by the Weapon Art button (R1 or R2). Weapon Arts offer a variety of effects, including damage over time, healing, or defensive buffs.
5. Buffing and Debuffing
Buffs and debuffs are status effects that can enhance your character or weaken enemies. Buffs can increase damage output, defense, or healing, while debuffs can slow down enemies or reduce their damage. Use buffs and debuffs strategically to gain an edge in combat.
6. Stance Switching
Some weapons allow you to switch between different stances. Each stance offers different attack patterns and animations, allowing you to adapt to different combat situations. Experiment with different stances to find the ones that suit your playstyle.
7. Guard Breaking
Guard breaking allows you to break through an enemy’s guard, leaving them open for a critical hit. To guard break, press the Attack button (R1 or R2) repeatedly while holding the block button (L1 or LB). Guard breaking is effective against enemies with heavy armor or shields.
8. Backstabs
Backstabs are a stealth attack that deals massive damage. To perform a backstab, approach an enemy from behind and press the Attack button (R1 or R2) while they are unaware of your presence. Backstabs can be challenging to execute in combat but are incredibly rewarding.
9. Ripostes
Ripostes are special attacks that can be performed after parrying an enemy attack. Different weapons and parry timing will determine the type of riposte performed. Ripostes often deal significant damage and can be used to end fights quickly.
10. True Combos
True combos are a sequence of attacks that cannot be interrupted by an enemy’s actions. They are typically performed by chaining multiple attacks together in a specific order. Mastering true combos allows you to maximize damage output and keep enemies locked in a stun lock.
Advanced Techniques
Description
Guard Counters Retaliate after blocking an attack Jump Attacks Attack from above or behind Critical Hits Deal massive damage from behind or when staggered Weapon Arts Use special abilities unique to each weapon Buffing and Debuffing Enhance your character or weaken enemies with status effects Stance Switching Change attack patterns and animations Guard Breaking Break through an enemy’s guard Backstabs Deal massive damage from behind Ripostes Attack after parrying True Combos Uninterruptable sequences of attacks Elden Ring: Mastering Parrying and Two-Handing Weapons
Elden Ring offers players a vast arsenal of weapons and techniques to conquer its formidable challenges. Among them, parrying and two-handing weapons stand out as essential combat mechanics that can significantly enhance both offense and defense. This guide will provide detailed instructions on how to execute these techniques effectively.
Parrying: A Skill of Precision
Parrying is a defensive maneuver that involves using a weapon or shield to deflect incoming attacks, creating an opening for a counterattack. To parry, press the block button (L1 on PlayStation or LB on Xbox) just as an enemy’s attack is about to hit your weapon. Timing is crucial, as parrying too early or too late will result in the attack connecting.
Once the attack is successfully parried, the enemy will be stunned for a brief moment, allowing you to follow up with a powerful riposte. Ripostes deal significantly more damage than regular attacks and can be chained together to create devastating combos.
Two-Handing Weapons: Unleashing Maximum Power
Two-handing a weapon grants the player significant benefits in terms of attack power and reach. By holding the two-hand button (Triangle on PlayStation or Y on Xbox) while wielding a weapon, players can unleash the following advantages:
- Increased Damage: Two-handing a weapon greatly increases its base damage output, making it ideal for dealing heavy blows to enemies.
- Extended Reach: When two-handed, some weapons gain increased reach, allowing players to attack from a greater distance.
- Faster Attack Speed: Certain weapons experience a slight increase in attack speed when two-handed, enabling more rapid strikes.
People Also Ask: Elden Ring How To Parry Or Two Hand A Weapon
How do you parry in Elden Ring?
To parry in Elden Ring, press the block button (L1 on PlayStation or LB on Xbox) just as an enemy’s attack is about to hit your weapon.
How do you two-hand a weapon in Elden Ring?
To two-hand a weapon in Elden Ring, hold the two-hand button (Triangle on PlayStation or Y on Xbox) while wielding a weapon.
What are the benefits of parrying in Elden Ring?
Parrying allows players to deflect enemy attacks and stun them momentarily, creating an opening for a counterattack.
What are the benefits of two-handing a weapon in Elden Ring?
Two-handing a weapon increases its damage, reach, and sometimes its attack speed.
- Weapon Moveset:** Two-handing transforms some weapon movesets, potentially making them more versatile or powerful.
