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Having spent time with the popular action RPG, or nearly any action-adventure title, chances are you're familiar with the wonderful feature known as the “rolling dodge.” This defensive move lets your avatar to perform a forward, sideways, or backward tumble to evade incoming harm and gain space from opponents. Sounds handy, wouldn't you say?

This rolling move, however, has gotten a lot of flak, and not just due to the tumbling; it's been called unintelligent, a cheap tactic, and an unrealistic move — and sometimes, I agree. You should see me tumbling about nearby enemy groups in The Witcher 3 — untouchable! But the title's rolling dodge is the dodge roll to top all dodge rolls dodge rolls, and let me explain.

For this particular game, the designers identified a great way to respond to all views that the move is too easy: merely bestow all foes excessive power, multiply it, and every Tarnished who approaches them will appreciate deeply thanks to their rolling skill, myself included. Given the intense difficulty, successfully rolling to victory seems like an accomplishment, instead of an unfair advantage.

No alternative avoidance technique in the game approaches this level of gratification and reliability, because swift moves offer limited distance and defensive postures are readily overcome by tough opponents. Someone once recommended hopping as the main game evasion method, but besides failing to offer optimal placement, It wasn't clear to me taking a crushing hit might boost my prospects of beating enemies (skill issue, perhaps).

Mastering the Technique

Although this evasion move grants reprieve in a famously difficult title, it demands ability. To begin with, this title's dodge roll only triggers a window of invulnerability after you let go of the roll control, which stops a rapid, fearful withdrawal from dire situations. Furthermore, even though it can carry you off from foes, it's significantly more useful to use it as an opportunity to advance, ideally to their rear, and strike blows. Lastly, you still need comprehend and predict opponent moves, because rolling prematurely of a long charging animation could conclude your immunity before the blow lands… causing significant harm.

A Harmonious System

While dodge-rolling in fast repetition may look a bit ridiculous (give it up for Geralt again), this isn't truly feasible in the game. Naturally, that doesn't render it a realistic battle technique — which is precisely why it would be terrifying to experience it in a product like a realism-focused RPG — however, this is a flashy fantasy title we're talking about, therefore, it doesn't matter?

Like any proper rolling dodge, this title's dodge motion is spruced up with a little somersault-y hop at the start, providing a dynamic sensation rather than plopping the player downward. According to your loadout, the technique may seem incredibly quick or moderately cumbersome, but it remains faster and more fluid than the rolling dodges featured in the earlier games. Certainly, you may embed your large weapon in the dirt while equipped with it, but that's on you for failing to use ranged weapons (I'm joking — don't play Elden Ring using ranged options).

The Perfect Balance

The game's evasion system creates the perfect balance between challenge and opportunity, offering hope of victory while risking the loss of that hope at the slightest mistake. Learn this skill, and you'll be rewarded with more than triumph, but fulfillment.