How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

Mastering the art of two-handing weapons in *Elden Ring* can significantly enhance your combat prowess, allowing you to decimate foes with greater force. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the mechanics of two-handing, the compelling reasons to adopt this technique, potential drawbacks, and the best weapons to wield in this manner.

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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 initiate two-handing a weapon in Elden Ring, hold down E on PC, triangle on PlayStation, or Y on Xbox, followed by pressing the attack button for your desired weapon. Be mindful of your control settings; if you've customized them, ensure you're using the correct inputs. This technique not only applies on foot but also seamlessly transitions to horseback combat, allowing you to switch weapons or alternate between melee and magic effortlessly. However, remember that for weapons requiring two hands due to Strength prerequisites, you must engage two-hand mode before mounting your steed.

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

Why You Should Two-Hand in Elden Ring

The advantages of two-handing weapons in Elden Ring are manifold. Primarily, it amplifies your damage output by boosting your Strength stat by 50 percent, making Strength-scaling weapons particularly devastating. Moreover, two-handing can alter a weapon's move set, sometimes changing the damage type, which adds versatility to your arsenal. It also enables you to wield heavier weapons that might be otherwise inaccessible, maintaining a balanced Strength stat while still handling greatswords with ease.

Additionally, two-handing enhances the utility of your Ashes of War. If you're using a sword and shield setup, your right-hand weapon's skill might be overshadowed by the shield's default action, like parry. By two-handing, you ensure that you can access and utilize your weapon's unique Ash of War, thereby optimizing your combat strategy.

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 requires adaptation, as your attacks may function differently, necessitating a strategic approach based on your surroundings. Sometimes, sacrificing raw damage for a more situational attack can be beneficial.

Furthermore, if your build focuses on Dexterity or other attributes, two-handing might not be the optimal choice. Experimentation is key to determining what works best for your playstyle.

Best Weapons to Two-Hand in Elden Ring

For those looking to maximize their two-handing potential in Elden Ring, large weapons that scale with Strength are ideal. With the release of Shadow of the Erdtree, consider equipping the Two-Handed Sword Talisman to further boost your damage when wielding swords in this manner.

Recommended weapons for two-handing include Greatswords and Colossal Swords, as well as Great Hammers and other Colossal Weapons. Notable choices are the Greatsword, Zweihander, Fire Knight's Greatsword, and for non-sword options, the Giant-Crusher.

And that's the complete guide on 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.