How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

Mastering Two-Handed Weaponry in Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide

This guide delves into the art of two-handing weapons in Elden Ring, exploring its benefits, drawbacks, and optimal weapon choices. We'll cover the mechanics, strategic advantages, and potential downsides to help you make informed decisions in combat.

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How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring | Why Two-Hand in Elden Ring | Downsides of Two-Handing | Best Weapons for Two-Handing

How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

To wield weapons with both hands in Elden Ring, press and hold E on PC, Triangle on PlayStation, or Y on Xbox, then initiate an attack. This applies to either your left or right-hand weapon, depending on your preference. Remember to check your control settings if you've customized them. This method also works for weapon switching while mounted, facilitating seamless transitions between melee and magic or different weapon types. However, if a weapon requires two-handing due to Strength requirements, you must initiate the two-handed stance before mounting your steed.

Why Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring?

Two-handing offers significant advantages. Primarily, it boosts your Strength by 50%, significantly enhancing damage output, especially with Strength-scaling weapons. Furthermore, the move set often changes, sometimes altering damage type depending on the weapon and how it's wielded. This Strength increase also allows access to weapons otherwise unavailable, optimizing build flexibility. Finally, two-handing grants direct access to your weapon's Ash of War, unlike when using a shield, maximizing combat utility.

Downsides of Two-Handed Weaponry

While beneficial for Strength builds, two-handing has drawbacks. Attack patterns change, requiring adaptation and strategic planning. The trade-off between raw damage and situational effectiveness should be considered. It's less ideal for Dexterity or other non-Strength builds. Experimentation is key to finding the right approach for your playstyle.

Best Weapons for Two-Handed Combat

Generally, large, Strength-scaling weapons are optimal for two-handing. Since the Shadow of the Erdtree update, the Two-Handed Sword Talisman provides a damage boost when wielding swords in this manner. Greatswords, Colossal Swords, Great Hammers, and Colossal Weapons are excellent choices. Consider weapons like the Greatsword, Zweihander, Fire Knight's Greatsword, or the Giant-Crusher for varied playstyles.

Elden Ring is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

Update: This article was updated on 1/27/25 by Liam Nolan to provide more insight into two-handed weapon combat in Elden Ring.