Mastering the Basics of Combat in Elden Ring
Today, we'll be diving into the basics of combat in Elden Ring. This guide is perfect for newcomers to the game or those who haven’t played any Soulsborne games before. If you are a dollar warrior, it is a smart way to buy some Elden Ring Runes gold coins to exchange for powerful equipment to help you quickly get out of the novice village. If that sounds like you, you're in the right place! Let's get started.
Lock-Ons
By clicking the right stick in Elden Ring, you can lock onto the enemy right in front of you. Doing so will change your left and right character movements to a strafe, allowing you to circle the enemy you're fighting. It also forces the camera to always point at the enemy. While locking on isn't essential, getting into the habit of doing this is a huge step towards improving at the game, especially for beginners.
Blocking
In Elden Ring, you hold L1 to block. For your primary attack, you press R1. Because of this, some players refer to primary attacks as R1s. The most basic form of combat involves walking up to an enemy, locking on, using your block to deflect an attack, and then mashing R1 to attack the enemy. This method works well for low-level enemies, particularly at the beginning of the game.
Rolling
The Souls franchise is famous for its dodge roll. To perform a roll, tap B or Circle, depending on your controller, and hold the left stick in the direction you want to roll. Doing this while locked onto an enemy makes it easier to dodge most simple attacks. The dodge roll is crucial because it has invincibility frames (iframes), meaning your character is completely immune to all damage for a short period during the roll animation. Mastering the dodge roll will significantly enhance your combat skills.
Guard Counters and Staggers
One of the most exciting new mechanics in Elden Ring is the guard counter. When fighting an enemy, walk up to it while holding L1 to block. If you successfully deflect an attack, hit R2 immediately after to perform a guard counter. This attack is much more powerful than normal attacks, deals more damage, and may even stagger the enemy. Guard counters are particularly effective in the early game and are easy to execute, making them a highly recommended move for beginners.
Ripostes
After staggering an enemy, you have a few seconds to perform a riposte. To do this, stand directly in front of the enemy and press R1. If you struggle with this, it's often due to pressing too many buttons. If you get the opportunity to riposte after button mashing, wait a second or two before pressing R1 to make it more consistent. Ripostes are extremely powerful and deal significant damage.
Strong Attacks and Charged Attacks
Pressing R2 performs a strong attack, which covers more distance and deals more damage than R1 attacks but takes longer to execute. Holding down R2 charges your attack, increasing its damage further but making the execution time even longer. Timing is key when using strong and charged attacks, as they leave you vulnerable.
Jump Attacks
Jump attacks are new to Elden Ring and can be very useful. Jumping and pressing R2 is a great way to close the distance and potentially stagger the enemy. Jumping R1 attacks are ideal for taking out flying enemies due to their speed.
Two-Handing Weapons
By holding down Y or Triangle and pressing R1, you can wield your right-hand weapon with two hands. Conversely, holding down Y or Triangle and pressing L1 lets you wield your left-hand weapon with two hands. Two-handing a weapon increases the damage of primary and secondary attacks but takes longer to execute and leaves you more vulnerable since you can't use a shield. This technique is particularly useful against enemies with smaller shields or high poise.
Backstabs
Backstabs have been a hallmark of the Souls franchise since the beginning and remain very powerful. To perform a backstab, lock onto an enemy, strafe around it until it attacks, and then move behind it to press R1. You can also sneak up behind an enemy by clicking in the left stick and performing a backstab when lined up with their back. With practice, backstabs can become a consistent and effective tactic.
Ashes of War
Each weapon in the game has its own unique weapon art or Ash of War, performed by pressing L2. These often consume a little FP and vary depending on the weapon. You can find unique Ashes of War around the world and change them at Sites of Grace. These attacks are often powerful and versatile, making them essential to master for effective combat.
Conclusion
If you're struggling with any fights in Elden Ring, try incorporating the moves discussed in this guide. Often, an enemy can be easier to defeat by using the right move at the right time. This guide covers the most basic principles of combat, but mastering these basics can make you an absolute beast in the game. With practice, you'll flow between these moves efficiently and become an Elden Lord in no time. If players don't want to spend too much time dealing with enemies in the levels, they can choose to elden ring items buy on the MMOexp platform in exchange for powerful equipment to help them fight their way through the game.