Mastering Two-Handed Combat in Elden Ring

Mastering the art of wielding a weapon with two hands in *Elden Ring* can be a game-changer, significantly boosting your ability to dominate your foes. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the mechanics of two-handing, its advantages, potential drawbacks, and the best weapons to use for this technique.

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How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden RingWhy You Should Two-Hand in Elden RingThe Downsides of Using a Weapon in Two-HandsBest Weapons to Two-Hand in Elden Ring How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

To two-hand a weapon in Elden Ring, you'll need to press and hold the E key on PC, the triangle button on PlayStation, or the Y button on Xbox, followed by pressing the attack button for the weapon you wish to wield with both hands. It's crucial to verify these controls if you've customized your control scheme away from the default settings.

This technique is also applicable while mounted, allowing for seamless weapon switching between melee and magical options. Remember, if your weapon requires two hands due to its Strength requirements, you must begin two-handing before mounting your horse, as the game doesn't recognize two-handing once you're already mounted.

Related: How to Get Out of Roundtable Hold in Elden Ring

Why You Should Two-Hand in Elden Ring

Screenshot by The Escapist. There are compelling reasons to opt for two-handing in Elden Ring. Primarily, it boosts your Strength by 50%, significantly enhancing the damage output of Strength-based weapons. This boost not only amplifies your attack power but also alters the weapon's move set, potentially changing the damage type, which can be tactically advantageous.

Moreover, two-handing allows you to wield weapons that might otherwise be too heavy for your character, making it easier to manage your Strength stats while still using powerful weapons like greatswords. Additionally, it improves the efficiency of your Ashes of War, ensuring you can utilize your weapon's special skills without interference from a shield's default skill.

The Downsides of Using a Weapon in Two-Hands

Screenshot by The Escapist. While two-handing is a potent strategy for Strength builds in Elden Ring, it's not without its drawbacks. The change in attack patterns can require adaptation, and in certain scenarios, a less damaging but more situationally effective attack might be preferable.

For players focusing on Dexterity or other non-Strength builds, two-handing might not be the optimal choice. It's essential to experiment and find what suits your playstyle best.

Best Weapons to Two-Hand in Elden Ring

Screenshot by The Escapist. When considering the best weapons for two-handing in Elden Ring, focus on those that scale well with Strength. With the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, equipping the Two-Handed Sword Talisman can further enhance your damage output when wielding a sword with two hands.

Ideal choices include Greatswords, Colossal Swords, Great Hammers, and other Colossal Weapons. Specifically, the Greatsword, Zweihander, and Fire Knight's Greatsword are highly recommended, with the Giant-Crusher being an excellent non-sword option.

And that's how to effectively two-hand weapons in Elden Ring, enhancing your combat prowess and strategic options.

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 how to two-hand weapons in Elden Ring.