How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

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

This guide delves into the art of two-handing weapons in Elden Ring, explaining the mechanics, benefits, drawbacks, and optimal weapon choices. Let's explore why and how to wield your weapons with two hands.

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

How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

To two-hand a weapon, press and hold E (PC), Triangle (PlayStation), or Y (Xbox), then initiate an attack with your desired weapon (left or right hand). Note that altered control schemes may deviate from these defaults. This technique also functions while mounted, allowing for seamless weapon switching between melee and magic. However, weapons requiring two-handed use due to Strength requirements must be two-handed before mounting.

Why Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring?

Two-handing offers significant advantages:

• Increased Damage: Your Strength stat receives a 50% boost, significantly amplifying damage, especially with Strength-scaling weapons.
• Altered Movesets: Some weapons gain modified attack patterns and damage types when two-handed.
• Accessibility: Two-handing allows wielding weapons that would otherwise be inaccessible due to Strength limitations, optimizing stat allocation.
• Ash of War Access: Using a shield prevents access to your right-hand weapon's Ash of War. Two-handing bypasses this, unlocking valuable combat skills.

Downsides of Two-Handed Weaponry

While beneficial for Strength builds, two-handing has drawbacks:

• Attack Pattern Changes: Altered attack animations require adaptation and strategic planning.
• Build Compatibility: May not be optimal for Dexterity or other non-Strength-focused builds. Experimentation is key.

Best Weapons for Two-Handed Combat

Large, Strength-scaling weapons are ideal. The Two-Handed Sword Talisman (available in Shadow of the Erdtree) further enhances damage output. Greatswords, Colossal Swords, Great Hammers, and Colossal Weapons are all excellent choices. Consider the Greatsword, Zweihander, Fire Knight's Greatsword, and Giant-Crusher as strong contenders.

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.