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 delve into the mechanics of two-handing weapons, explore the advantages and potential drawbacks, and recommend the best weapons 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.

This method also facilitates 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. Once mounted, you won't be able to initiate two-handing unless it was already active.

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 boost can transform your attacks, making them more potent.

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 might otherwise be beyond your Strength capabilities, allowing you to maintain a balanced build while still using formidable weapons 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, such as parry, and lets you utilize the sword's unique abilities.

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 altered move set can affect how your attacks function, requiring you to adapt to these changes and consider your combat environment carefully. Sometimes, sacrificing some 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

For optimal two-handing in Elden Ring, focus on large weapons that scale well with Strength. With the Shadow of the Erdtree update, consider equipping the Two-Handed Sword Talisman to further enhance your damage output when wielding swords with two hands.

Recommended weapons for two-handing include Greatswords and Colossal Swords, as well as Great Hammers and other Colossal Weapons. Any weapon that scales with Strength can be effective, but standout choices include the Greatsword, Zweihander, and Fire Knight's Greatsword. For those not focused on swords, the Giant-Crusher is an excellent alternative.

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.