Home News How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

Author : Eric Mar 06,2025

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

This guide delves into the mechanics and strategies of two-handing weapons in Elden Ring, exploring its advantages, drawbacks, and optimal weapon choices.

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

How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

To wield weapons with both hands in Elden Ring, press and hold E on PC, Triangle on PlayStation, or Y on Xbox, then initiate an attack. This applies to both left and right-hand weapons. Note that if you've customized your controls, verify these default settings. This method also works while mounted, allowing for seamless weapon switching between melee and magic, but remember that weapons requiring two hands due to Strength requirements must be two-handed before mounting.

Why Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring?

Scorpion River Catacombs entrance in Elden Ring.

Screenshot by The Escapist.
Two-handing significantly boosts damage output. Your Strength stat receives a 50% increase, amplifying the effectiveness of Strength-scaling weapons. Moreover, the attack animations often change, sometimes altering damage type. This allows access to weapons otherwise unfeasible, maintaining manageable Strength stats while still wielding powerful weapons. Finally, two-handing ensures your equipped Ash of War is from the weapon in your main hand, rather than a shield.

The Downsides of Two-Handing

Smithscript Hammer in Elden Ring.

Screenshot by The Escapist.
While beneficial for Strength builds, two-handing presents trade-offs. Attack patterns change, demanding adjustment and strategic planning. The damage increase might not always outweigh the loss of a shield's defensive capabilities. Experimentation is key to determine its suitability for different build types.

Best Weapons for Two-Handing in Elden Ring

Church of the Bud in Elden Ring.

Screenshot by The Escapist.
Generally, large Strength-scaling weapons excel when two-handed. Greatswords, Colossal Swords, Great Hammers, and Colossal Weapons are prime candidates. Consider the Two-Handed Sword Talisman (available in Shadow of the Erdtree) for an additional damage boost to swords. Popular choices include the Greatsword, Zweihander, Fire Knight's Greatsword, and the Giant-Crusher for non-sword options.

Conclusion

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of two-handed combat in Elden Ring. Experimentation and understanding the nuances will unlock its full potential.

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.

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