Mastering Two-Handed Combat in Elden Ring

Mastering the art of wielding a weapon with two hands in *Elden Ring* can significantly enhance your combat effectiveness, allowing you to dominate your foes. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the mechanics of two-handing weapons, the advantages it offers, 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 weapons in Elden Ring, you'll need to hold E on PC, triangle on PlayStation, or Y on Xbox, and then press the attack button for either your left or right-hand weapon, depending on which you wish to wield with both hands. If you've customized your control settings, ensure you haven't altered these default inputs.

These controls also facilitate weapon switching while mounted, which is particularly useful for players who frequently alternate between different weapons or switch between melee and magic. Remember, if a weapon's Strength requirement necessitates two-handing, you must do so before mounting your horse. While on horseback, you won't be two-handing unless you've set it up beforehand.

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

Why You Should Two-Hand in Elden Ring

There are compelling reasons to opt for two-handing in Elden Ring. Primarily, it boosts your Strength by 50 percent, significantly increasing the damage output of Strength-scaling weapons. This can be a game-changer in combat, allowing you to deliver more powerful blows.

Additionally, two-handing often alters a weapon's move set, potentially changing the damage type and offering new combat strategies. It also enables you to wield heavier weapons that you might not be able to use one-handed, maintaining a balanced Strength stat while still handling formidable arms like greatswords.

Moreover, two-handing your right-hand weapon grants direct access to its Ash of War, enhancing your combat versatility. This is particularly useful if you're using a sword and shield setup, as it bypasses the default weapon skill of the shield, allowing you to utilize your preferred Ash of War more effectively.

The Downsides of Using a Weapon in Two-Hands

While two-handing is advantageous for Strength builds in Elden Ring, it's not without its drawbacks. The change in attack patterns can take some getting used to, and you'll need to adapt your strategy to your surroundings. Sometimes, sacrificing a bit of damage for a more situationally effective attack can be beneficial.

Two-handing is primarily suited for Strength-focused builds, so if you're pursuing a Dexterity or other type of build, you might find it less advantageous. Experimentation is key to determining what works best for your playstyle.

Best Weapons to Two-Hand in Elden Ring

When it comes to two-handing, large weapons that scale with Strength are your top choices in Elden Ring. With the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, consider equipping the Two-Handed Sword Talisman to further enhance your damage output when wielding a sword with two hands.

For weapon recommendations, Greatswords and Colossal Swords are excellent options, as are Great Hammers and other Colossal Weapons. Any weapon that scales well with Strength will serve you well. Personal favorites include the Greatsword, Zweihander, and Fire Knight's Greatsword. If you're looking for a non-sword option, the Giant-Crusher is a formidable choice.

And that's a comprehensive guide on how to two-hand weapons in Elden Ring.

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.