Mastering the art of two-handing weapons in Elden Ring is key to decimating your foes. This guide breaks down the how and why, helping you harness this powerful technique.
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How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring
Why You Should Two-Hand in Elden Ring
The Downsides of Two-Handing
Best Weapons for Two-Handing
How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring
To two-hand a weapon, press and hold E on PC, Triangle on PlayStation, or Y on Xbox, then press your attack button. This selects either your left or right-hand weapon, depending on which you want to wield with two hands. If you've customized your controls, double-check your settings. This method also works for switching weapons while mounted, ideal for those who utilize multiple weapons or alternate between melee and magic. However, remember that if a weapon requires two-handing due to Strength requirements, you must initiate the two-handed stance *before* mounting your steed.
Why You Should Two-Hand in Elden Ring
Screenshot by The Escapist.Two-handing offers significant advantages. Primarily, it boosts your Strength by 50%, significantly increasing damage output, especially with Strength-scaling weapons. The move set often changes, too, with some weapons even altering damage type based on how they're wielded. This Strength bonus also unlocks weapons normally beyond your reach, allowing for more strategic build management. Finally, two-handing grants access to your weapon's Ash of War, bypassing any shield-based skills that might otherwise override it.
The Downsides of Using a Weapon in Two-Hands
Screenshot by The Escapist.While beneficial for Strength builds, two-handing has drawbacks. Attack patterns change, requiring adaptation and strategic planning. The trade-off between raw damage and situational effectiveness needs careful consideration. It's not always the optimal choice for Dexterity or other builds, so experimentation is key.
Best Weapons to Two-Hand in Elden Ring
Screenshot by The Escapist.Large, Strength-scaling weapons are ideal: Greatswords, Colossal Swords, Great Hammers, and Colossal Weapons all excel when two-handed. Consider the Two-Handed Sword Talisman (available in *Shadow of the Erdtree*) for further damage boosts to swords. Popular choices include the Greatsword, Zweihander, Fire Knight's Greatsword, and the Giant-Crusher (for non-sword options).
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-handing weapons in Elden Ring.
