Everything You Need to Know About Two-Handing Weapons in Elden Ring

Download Article

Get the most out of those big, powerful weapons

Written by Travis Boylls

Last Updated: December 4, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

• How to Two-Hand in Elden Ring
|
• Advantages of Two-Handing
|
• Disadvantages of Two-Handing
|
• Best Two-Handed Weapons
|
• Tips

|Show more |Show less

Like previous FromSoft games, Elden Ring gives you the option to change your stance and hold your weapon with one hand or with two hands. There are many benefits and disadvantages to two-handing a weapon. This wikiHow article teaches you everything you need to know about two-handing weapons in Elden Ring.

Two-Hand a Weapon in Elden Ring

• On Playstation, press and hold Triangle and then press R1 or L1, depending on if you want to two-hand the weapon in your right or left hand.
• On Xbox press and hold Y and then press RB or LB, depending on if you want to two-hand the weapon in your right or left hand.
• On PC, press and hold E and then right-click or left-click, depending on if you want to two-hand the weapon in your right or left hand.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

How to Two-Hand in Elden Ring

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Press and hold △ and press R1 or L1 on Playstation. Press R1 to two-hand the weapon or shield in your right weapon slot. Press L1 to two-hand the weapon or shield in your left weapon slot.
2. 
   2
   Press and hold Y and press RB or LB on Xbox. Press RB to two-hand the weapon or shield in your right weapon slot. Press LB to two-hand the weapon or shield in your left weapon slot.
   Advertisement
3. 
   3
   Press and hold E and right-click or left-click on PC. Right-click to two-hand the weapon or shield in your right weapon slot. Left-click to two-hand the weapon or shield in your left weapon slot.
Advertisement

Section 2 of 4:

Advantages of Two-Handing

Download Article

1. 
   1
   You don't need as much strength to carry weapons. Two-handing gives you a 1.5x strength modifier. This means that if a sword requires 30 strength to wield, you can two-hand it with 20 strength. If you have less than 20 strength, you won't be able to effectively wield the weapon, even with two hands.
2. 
   2
   You do more damage. The 1.5x strength modifier also applies to the damage you do. It's also more effective at breaking an enemy's guard.
3. 
   3
   Some weapons have different attacks. Some weapons have different modes and different attacks when wielded with two hands instead of one.
4. 
   4
   You can lighten your equipment load. Since you'll be carrying your weapon with two hands, you can remove the shield from your other hand. This will lighten your equipment load.
Advertisement

Section 3 of 4:

Disadvantages of Two-Handing

Download Article

1. 
   1
   You can't carry a shield. Since you'll be using both your hands to carry your weapon, you can't carry a shield at the same time. This will lower your defenses and leave you more open to attack.
2. 
   2
   Blocking isn't as effective. You can still block while two-handing a weapon, but it won't be as effective. You'll receive more damage than you would if you were to block with a shield.
3. 
   3
   You'll need to depend on rolling more. You'll need to get good and practice the timing of your rolls in order to prevent damage.
4. 
   4
   Your attacks are slightly slower. Since you're putting more power into your attacks, there is a slightly slower wind-up and recovery for each attack.
Advertisement

Section 4 of 4:

Best Two-Handed Weapons

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Greatswords. Greatswords are large, powerful swords that do a great deal of damage. Using them with two hands allows you to wield them without as much strength. They also have different attacks when wielded with two hands. You can do a powerful overhead attack instead of a vertical attack.
2. 
   2
   Collosal weapons. Collosal weapons require high levels of strength and stamina to wield. Wielding them with two hands allows you to wield them with 50% less strength. They also tend to have greater range, which allows you to keep your distance so that you don't get attacked since you're not carrying a shield.
3. 
   3
   Fists and claws. When two-handing fists and claws, you get a two-handed move set. This essentially allows you to duel-wield your fists and claws.
4. 
   4
   Bows. Bows needed to be two-handed by default. While you can use them with one hand, they're not as effective.
5. 
   5
   Crossbows. Unlike bows, crossbows can be welded effectively with one hand. However, using two hands allows you to aim and zoom in.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Tips

• Try the samurai class. If you plan on playing a two-handed game, try selecting the samurai class at the start of the game. This glass greatly benefits from switching between one-handed and two-handed.
  Thanks

  Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Equip heavier armor when two-handing. Since you can't carry a shield while two-handing, unequip your shield to lighten your equipment load. Use the excess carrying capacity to equip heavier armor to protect yourself from attacks.
  Thanks

  Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Get good at rolling and dodging. Since you won't be able to block or parry with a shield while two-handing, your best defense against attacks is to roll and dodge. Practice rolling and get good at the timing.
  Thanks

  Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Advertisement