What is the Benefit of 2 Handing in Elden Ring?
In Elden Ring, the art of wielding a weapon with both hands has become a popular practice among players. This playstyle, known as dual-wielding or two-handing, offers several advantages that can greatly enhance one’s combat experience. In this article, we’ll delve into the benefits of two-handing in Elden Ring and explore why it’s an attractive choice for many players.
Additional Attack Power
_The simplest and most obvious reason is that two-handing a weapon grants you additional attack power_. (Source: gamespot.com)**
Two-handing a weapon in Elden Ring increases the damage dealt by your attacks. This is because you’re dedicating both hands to inflicting damage, allowing for more powerful strikes. Depending on the weapon and circumstances, this additional attack power can be substantial, leading to faster enemy defeats.
Different Attacks and Combat Styles
When you two-hand a melee weapon, your moveset changes, and you have access to different attacks, which can be more enjoyable and effective in certain situations. (Source: vintageisthenewold.com)
While two-handing a melee weapon, you’ll discover new attack animations and effects. These changes can be exciting and refreshing, offering additional combat options to suit specific situations. For example, a two-handed sword attack might have a wider area of effect, while a two-handed axe attack could have increased knockback or stun.
Increased Ranged Damage
Dual-wielding a bow and a melee weapon allows you to deal ranged damage between melee attacks, making enemies more vulnerable to your full arsenal. (Source: cbr.com)
When you two-hand a melee weapon, your ranged damage output increases when using a bow. This is because you’re concentrating your focus on dealing damage and have fewer distractions. Having a reliable ranged option makes enemies more susceptible to damage, as they’ll need to constantly reposition and avoid your attacks.
Enhanced Mobility
Two-handing with a sword and shield lets you maintain a high defense while still dealing significant damage, making you a more formidable opponent. (Source: gamerant.com)
When you two-hand a melee weapon, you typically sacrifice some mobility for raw power. However, in Elden Ring, a well-timed shield bash or two-handed swing can still enable you to quickly reposition and catch enemies off guard. This balance between power and mobility makes two-handing an attractive choice.
Best Weapon Combos for Two-Handing
| Weapon Pair | Description | Stats | Pros/Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wing of Astel & Scavenger’s Curved Sword | Combination of fast, high-piercing damage and stable, heavy-hitting force | +15 Strength & Dexterity | Excellent synergy, high damage output. |
| Magma Blade & Beastman’s Curved Sword | Unlocked by defeating the Magma Wyrm, offering +20 Strength & Dexterity | High damage output, fast attacks. | |
| Serpent-God’s Curved Sword & Mantis Blade | Lightweight, agile, and formidable | +10 Strength, +15 Dexterity, high damage output | Exceptional mobility, high burst damage. |
New Player-Friendly Builds
The bow-sword build is an accessible and fun option for newcomers, allowing them to manage enemy groups and deal precise damage. (Source: cbr.com)
For new players, two-handing with a bow and a melee weapon can be an excellent beginner-friendly build. This build allows you to thin out enemy groups with ranged fire and then close the distance for a melee finish.
Conclusion
In Elden Ring, two-handing a weapon offers many benefits, including increased attack power, different attacks, increased ranged damage, and enhanced mobility. By exploiting these advantages, you’ll become a formidable opponent in the world of Elden Ring. Whether you prefer the fast-paced action of dual-wielding or the stability of two-handing, there’s a combination that suits your playstyle.