Unleash Your Inner Strength: A Comprehensive Guide to Two-Handing in Elden Ring
Elden Ring, FromSoftware’s sprawling open-world masterpiece, offers players a staggering array of weapons, armor, and combat styles. Among the foundational techniques, mastering the art of two-handing is crucial for maximizing damage output and adapting to various enemy encounters. Two-handing essentially alters your character’s grip on their weapon, sacrificing the ability to use a shield or off-hand armament for increased strength scaling and modified attack patterns. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of two-handing in Elden Ring, explain its benefits, and provide strategic insights to help you dominate the Lands Between.
## What is Two-Handing and Why Should You Use It?
Two-handing, in its simplest form, involves gripping your weapon with both hands. This seemingly minor adjustment significantly impacts your character’s attributes and combat capabilities. Here’s a breakdown of the key advantages of two-handing:
* **Increased Strength:** The most significant benefit of two-handing is the virtual increase in your character’s Strength stat. When you two-hand a weapon, your Strength is multiplied by 1.5. This boost allows you to wield weapons that you might otherwise be unable to due to insufficient Strength, and it also dramatically increases the weapon’s attack power.
* **Enhanced Damage:** The increase in Strength translates directly to higher damage output. This is particularly noticeable with weapons that scale well with Strength, such as colossal swords, great axes, and hammers. If you’re facing a tough boss or a heavily armored enemy, two-handing can be the key to breaking through their defenses and dealing substantial damage.
* **Modified Attack Animations and Movesets:** Two-handing often alters the weapon’s attack animations and moveset. These changes can include faster attacks, wider swings, and unique weapon arts. Experimenting with two-handing allows you to discover new strategies and adapt your combat style to different situations.
* **Improved Stance Breaking:** Stance breaking is a crucial mechanic in Elden Ring, allowing you to stagger enemies and open them up for critical attacks. Two-handing generally increases the amount of stance damage inflicted per attack, making it easier to break an enemy’s posture and land a devastating critical hit.
* **Blocking (With Limitations):** While you lose the ability to use a dedicated shield, two-handing still allows you to block attacks with your weapon. However, the block absorption and guard boost stats are typically much lower than those of a shield, meaning you’ll take more damage and stamina damage when blocking. This makes it a less reliable defensive option than using a shield, but it can be useful in a pinch.
## Step-by-Step Guide: How to Two-Hand Your Weapon
The process of two-handing a weapon in Elden Ring is straightforward, but it varies slightly depending on your platform:
**PlayStation (PS4/PS5):**
1. **Hold Triangle:** Press and hold the Triangle button on your controller. This will bring up the weapon selection menu.
2. **Press R1 (RB):** While holding Triangle, press the R1 button (or RB if using a PlayStation controller configuration). This will two-hand your right-hand weapon.
3. **Press L1 (LB):** To two-hand your left-hand weapon, hold Triangle and press the L1 button (or LB if using a PlayStation controller configuration).
**Xbox (Xbox One/Xbox Series X/S):**
1. **Hold Y:** Press and hold the Y button on your controller. This will bring up the weapon selection menu.
2. **Press RB:** While holding Y, press the RB button. This will two-hand your right-hand weapon.
3. **Press LB:** To two-hand your left-hand weapon, hold Y and press the LB button.
**PC (Keyboard and Mouse):**
1. **Hold E:** Press and hold the E key on your keyboard. This is the default key for the weapon selection menu.
2. **Left Click:** While holding E, left-click your mouse. This will two-hand your right-hand weapon.
3. **Right Click:** To two-hand your left-hand weapon, hold E and right-click your mouse.
**Important Notes:**
* **Weapon Availability:** You can only two-hand weapons that are currently equipped in your right or left-hand slots.
* **Returning to One-Handed Grip:** To return to a one-handed grip, simply repeat the two-handing process. Holding the appropriate button (Triangle/Y/E) and pressing R1/RB/Left Click or L1/LB/Right Click will toggle between the one-handed and two-handed grip.
* **Controller Configuration:** If you’ve customized your controller layout, the specific buttons required for two-handing may differ. Refer to your control settings to confirm the correct inputs.
* **Remember:** The game does a poor job of explaining this feature. It’s common for new players to miss this entirely.
## Mastering the Art: Advanced Two-Handing Techniques and Strategies
Once you understand the basics of two-handing, you can begin to incorporate it into your combat strategies. Here are some advanced techniques and tips to help you maximize its potential:
* **Dynamic Two-Handing:** Don’t be afraid to switch between one-handed and two-handed grips mid-combat. This allows you to adapt to different enemy behaviors and situations. For example, you might start a fight with a shield equipped for defense, then switch to two-handing to unleash a powerful attack when an opening appears.
* **Power Stancing with Two-Handed Weapons:** While you can’t power stance two different weapons while two-handing, you can two-hand two of the *same* weapons and then powerstance with them by pressing L1/LB/Left Mouse Button. This can deal incredible damage but leaves you very vulnerable.
* **Jump Attacks:** Two-handed jump attacks are particularly effective for dealing stance damage. The increased attack power and modified animations often result in a quicker stance break, allowing you to land a critical hit. Jump attacks can also be very effective against enemies with high poise.
* **Charged Heavy Attacks:** Two-handing significantly enhances the effectiveness of charged heavy attacks. These attacks deal massive damage and can easily stagger enemies, especially when combined with the increased stance damage from two-handing. Use charged heavy attacks strategically to punish enemy openings and control the flow of combat.
* **Weapon Arts (Ashes of War):** Two-handing affects the weapon art animations and effectiveness of some weapons. Experiment with different weapon arts while two-handing to discover new combos and strategies. Some weapon arts may become significantly more powerful or versatile when used in a two-handed stance.
* **Utilizing Weapon Skills:** Remember that Ashes of War are equipped on weapons. When you two-hand a weapon, you are using that weapon’s associated skill when pressing L2/LT/Right Click. This can be a powerful attack or defensive maneuver, and it is important to understand what skills your weapons possess and when to use them.
* **Poise Management:** While two-handing increases your damage output, it also reduces your defensive capabilities. Be mindful of your poise stat and avoid getting staggered by enemy attacks. Consider using armor with high poise or equipping talismans that increase your poise to improve your resistance to staggering.
* **Strategic Blocking:** As mentioned earlier, you can still block attacks with your weapon while two-handing, but it’s less effective than using a shield. Use this technique sparingly to mitigate damage in emergencies, but prioritize dodging and repositioning whenever possible.
* **Understanding Enemy Weaknesses:** Different enemies have different weaknesses. Some enemies are vulnerable to specific damage types (e.g., strike damage against armored opponents), while others are susceptible to certain status effects (e.g., bleed or frostbite). Experiment with different two-handed weapons and weapon arts to exploit enemy weaknesses and maximize your damage output.
* **Optimizing Your Build:** The effectiveness of two-handing is heavily dependent on your character’s build. Invest points into Strength to maximize your damage output with Strength-scaling weapons. Consider using talismans and armor that further enhance your Strength, attack power, or stance breaking capabilities.
## Recommended Weapons for Two-Handing
Elden Ring features a vast array of weapons that excel when used in a two-handed stance. Here are some of the most popular and effective options:
* **Colossal Swords:** These massive blades are designed for two-handed combat. They offer incredible damage potential, excellent stance breaking capabilities, and unique weapon arts. Examples include the Greatsword, Zweihander, and Starscourge Greatsword.
* **Greatswords:** A versatile option that balances damage, speed, and range. Greatswords are effective against a wide variety of enemies and situations. Popular choices include the Claymore, Knight’s Greatsword, and Banished Knight’s Greatsword.
* **Greataxes:** Greataxes offer exceptional damage output and stance breaking potential. They are particularly effective against heavily armored enemies and bosses. The Greataxe, Butchering Knife, and Executioner’s Greataxe are all solid options.
* **Hammers:** Hammers deal strike damage, which is highly effective against armored opponents. They also boast excellent stance breaking capabilities. Consider using the Great Club, Warpick, or Morning Star.
* **Colossal Weapons:** Similar to Colossal Swords but a broader category including clubs and other massive implements of destruction. These are very slow but deal massive damage. An example is the Giant-Crusher.
* **Twinblades (Two-Handed Power Stance):** While typically used one-handed, two twinblades can be power stanced for rapid attacks that deal bleed damage.
## When *Not* to Two-Hand
While two-handing offers significant advantages, it’s not always the optimal choice. Here are some situations where you might want to consider using a shield or dual-wielding instead:
* **Enemies with Rapid Attacks:** If you’re facing an enemy that attacks very quickly and relentlessly, a shield can provide much-needed protection. Blocking with a shield allows you to absorb damage and maintain your position, while two-handing leaves you vulnerable to being staggered.
* **Enemies with Unpredictable Attacks:** Some enemies have unpredictable attack patterns that are difficult to dodge consistently. In these situations, a shield can provide a safety net, allowing you to block attacks that you might otherwise miss.
* **Situations Requiring Quick Movement:** Two-handing can sometimes feel restrictive, especially when you need to move quickly to dodge attacks or reposition yourself. A shield or dual-wielding setup can offer greater mobility and flexibility.
* **When Support is Needed:** If playing co-operatively, it may be more beneficial to have a shield and healing spells available to support the team.
* **Exploring New Areas:** While exploring, having a shield can prevent you from getting ambushed and killed by enemies that you don’t see coming.
* **Enemies that Deal Elemental Damage:** Shields with high elemental resistance are extremely helpful against enemies that deal fire, magic, lightning, or holy damage. Two-handing in these situations leaves you vulnerable to significant damage.
## Tips for Using Two-Handing Effectively in Elden Ring
Here are some additional tips to help you use two-handing effectively in Elden Ring:
* **Experiment with different weapons and weapon arts.** The best way to find a two-handed weapon that suits your playstyle is to experiment with different options. Try out different weapons, weapon arts, and builds to discover what works best for you.
* **Practice your timing and spacing.** Two-handing requires precise timing and spacing. Practice your attacks and dodges to avoid getting hit by enemy attacks. Learn the attack patterns of different enemies so you can anticipate their moves and time your attacks accordingly.
* **Use charged heavy attacks strategically.** Charged heavy attacks are a powerful tool for dealing damage and staggering enemies. Use them strategically to punish enemy openings and control the flow of combat.
* **Be mindful of your stamina.** Two-handing can consume a lot of stamina, especially when using heavy weapons. Manage your stamina carefully to avoid running out in the middle of a fight. Consider using talismans or armor that increase your stamina or reduce stamina consumption.
* **Learn to parry (optional).** While two-handing doesn’t allow you to use a dedicated shield for parrying, you can still parry with some weapons. Parrying requires precise timing and can be risky, but it can also be a highly effective way to deflect enemy attacks and open them up for critical hits.
* **Don’t be afraid to switch back and forth.** Two-handing is not an all-or-nothing strategy. Don’t be afraid to switch back and forth between two-handing and one-handing depending on the situation. Adapt your combat style to the enemy you are facing and the environment you are in.
## Conclusion: Embrace the Power of Two-Handing
Two-handing is a powerful and versatile combat technique that can significantly enhance your capabilities in Elden Ring. By understanding the benefits of two-handing, mastering the controls, and incorporating advanced strategies into your gameplay, you can unleash your inner strength and overcome even the most challenging obstacles in the Lands Between. Experiment with different weapons, builds, and tactics to find what works best for you, and don’t be afraid to adapt your combat style to different situations. With practice and dedication, you’ll become a master of two-handed combat and a formidable force to be reckoned with in Elden Ring.
Now go forth, Tarnished, and wield your weapons with power and precision! The Elden Ring awaits!