Mastering Two-Handed Combat in Elden Ring

Mastering the art of wielding a weapon in two hands can significantly enhance your combat prowess in *Elden Ring*, making it a formidable strategy for decimating foes. In this guide, we'll delve into the mechanics of two-handing weapons, the advantages it offers, potential drawbacks, and the best weapons to utilize 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 wield a weapon with two hands in Elden Ring, press and hold E on PC, triangle on PlayStation, or Y on Xbox, then press the attack button for the weapon you want to use in your left or right hand. If you've customized your controls, ensure you haven't altered these default settings.

This method also facilitates weapon switching while on horseback, ideal for players who juggle multiple weapons or alternate between melee and magic. Note that if a weapon's Strength requirement necessitates two-handing, you must do so before mounting your horse. Once on horseback, you won't be able to switch to two-handing unless it was already set before mounting.

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

Why You Should Two-Hand in Elden Ring

There are compelling reasons to two-hand weapons in Elden Ring. The primary advantage is increased damage output. Two-handing boosts your Strength by 50 percent, enhancing the effectiveness of Strength-scaling weapons and making each hit more impactful.

Additionally, two-handing often alters the weapon's moveset, potentially changing the damage type based on how you wield it. This Strength boost also enables you to use heavier weapons that you might not be able to handle with one hand, allowing you to maintain a lower Strength stat while still wielding formidable weapons like greatswords.

Moreover, two-handing your right-hand weapon grants direct access to its Ashes of War, enhancing your combat versatility. Without two-handing, using a sword and shield setup might default your weapon skill to the shield, limiting your options.

The Downsides of Using a Weapon in Two-Hands

While two-handing can be a boon for Strength builds in Elden Ring, it does come with some drawbacks. The altered attack patterns require time to master, and you may need to adjust your combat strategy based on your surroundings. Sometimes, sacrificing a bit of damage for a more situationally effective attack is worthwhile.

If you're not focusing on a Strength build, such as a Dexterity or hybrid build, two-handing might not be as beneficial. Experimentation is key to finding what works best for your playstyle.

Best Weapons to Two-Hand in Elden Ring

For optimal two-handing in Elden Ring, opt for large weapons that scale well with Strength. With the Shadow of the Erdtree update, consider equipping the Two-Handed Sword Talisman to amplify your damage when wielding a sword in two hands.

Recommended weapons for two-handing include Greatswords, Colossal Swords, Great Hammers, and other Colossal Weapons. Specifically, the Greatsword, Zweihander, and Fire Knight's Greatsword are excellent choices. For those not focused on swords, the Giant-Crusher is a powerful alternative.

And that's how to effectively 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.