How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

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

This guide delves into the mechanics and strategic advantages of two-handing weapons in Elden Ring, helping you maximize damage and overcome challenges.

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

How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

To wield weapons with two hands, press and hold E on PC, Triangle on PlayStation, or Y on Xbox, then initiate an attack. This applies to both your left and right-hand weapons. Note that if your control scheme is customized, verify these default settings haven't been altered. This technique also works while mounted, offering seamless weapon switching between melee combat and magic. However, weapons requiring two-handed use due to Strength requirements must be two-handed before mounting your steed.

Why Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring?

Two-handing offers significant benefits. Primarily, it boosts your Strength stat by 50%, significantly increasing damage output, especially with Strength-scaling weapons. Moreover, it often alters the weapon's moveset, potentially modifying damage types depending on the weapon and wielding style. This Strength boost also unlocks access to weapons that would otherwise be un wieldy, allowing for more build flexibility. Finally, it optimizes Ash of War usage, preventing unintended shield skill activation when using a sword and shield.

Drawbacks of Two-Handed Weaponry

While beneficial for Strength builds, two-handing has drawbacks. Attack patterns change, requiring adaptation and strategic planning. The damage increase might not always outweigh the loss of a shield's defensive capabilities. Experimentation is crucial to determine its suitability for your specific build, as it's less ideal for Dexterity-focused builds.

Best Weapons for Two-Handed Combat

Generally, large Strength-scaling weapons excel when two-handed. Greatswords, Colossal Swords, Great Hammers, and Colossal Weapons are prime candidates. Consider the Two-Handed Sword Talisman (available in Shadow of the Erdtree) for enhanced damage with swords. Top choices include the Greatsword, Zweihander, Fire Knight's Greatsword, and the Giant-Crusher (for non-sword 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 two-handed weapon combat in Elden Ring.