Mastering the art of wielding weapons with two hands in *Elden Ring* can significantly enhance your combat effectiveness, allowing you to decimate your foes with greater power. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the mechanics of two-handing, the strategic 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*, hold the E key on PC, the triangle button on PlayStation, or the Y button on Xbox, then press the attack button corresponding to your desired weapon. Remember, if you've customized your control settings, ensure you're familiar with any changes from the default configuration.
This technique is also useful when you're on horseback, allowing seamless weapon switching between melee and magic. However, if your weapon requires two hands due to Strength requirements, make sure to start two-handing before mounting your steed, as you won't be able to initiate two-handing while already on horseback.
Related: How to Get Out of Roundtable Hold in Elden Ring
Why You Should Two-Hand in Elden Ring
Screenshot by The Escapist.
Two-handing weapons in *Elden Ring* offers several compelling benefits. Primarily, it boosts your Strength by 50%, which significantly amplifies the damage output of Strength-scaling weapons. This increase can turn your strikes into devastating blows, crucial for overcoming formidable enemies.
Moreover, two-handing often alters the weapon's move set, which can change the damage type and provide tactical advantages in different combat scenarios. The Strength boost also enables you to wield heavier weapons that would otherwise be inaccessible, allowing you to maintain a lower Strength stat while still handling greatswords with ease.
Additionally, two-handing your right-hand weapon allows more efficient use of Ashes of War. If you're using a sword and shield setup, two-handing the sword grants access to its unique weapon skill, enhancing your combat versatility and effectiveness.
The Downsides of Using a Weapon in Two-Hands
Screenshot by The Escapist.
While two-handing is advantageous for Strength builds in *Elden Ring*, it's not without its drawbacks. The altered attack patterns can take time to master, so consider the environmental context of your battles. Sometimes, sacrificing some damage for a more situational attack can be beneficial.
If you're not focusing on a Strength build, such as Dexterity or other specialized builds, two-handing might not be the optimal choice. Experimentation is key to finding what works best for your playstyle.
Best Weapons to Two-Hand in Elden Ring
Screenshot by The Escapist.
For two-handing, opt for large weapons that scale well with Strength. With the *Shadow of the Erdtree* expansion, consider equipping the Two-Handed Sword Talisman to boost your damage when wielding swords in this manner.
Recommended weapons include Greatswords and Colossal Swords, as well as Great Hammers and other Colossal Weapons. Among these, the Greatsword, Zweihander, and Fire Knight’s Greatsword are top choices, while the Giant-Crusher stands out for those not focused solely on swords.
And that's everything you need to know about mastering two-handed combat 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.
