MMOEXP-How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring – Complete Guide

In Elden Ring, combat isn,t just about swinging a sword or smashing with a hammer-it,s about knowing how to wield your weapons to their fullest potential. One of the most important mechanics in this regard is two-handing. Far from being a cosmetic choice, two-handing fundamentally changes how your weapon behaves, opening up new damage potential, attack animations, and strategic options. But it also comes with trade-offs, most notably the loss of your shield. Understanding when and how to Elden Ring Runes two-hand is crucial for any Tarnished seeking to dominate the battlefield.

The Basics of Two-Handing

Two-handing in Elden Ring is simple in concept: you hold your weapon with both hands instead of pairing it with a shield or another weapon. Most weapons-including swords, axes, spears, and colossal weapons-can be two-handed, though some specialty items like claws or fist weapons are naturally single-handed.

The act of two-handing is more than a change in grip-it alters several key aspects of gameplay:

Increased Damage Output Perhaps the most obvious benefit of two-handing is damage scaling. Weapons in Elden Ring scale based on your stats-Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, or Arcane, depending on the weapon type. When you two-hand, your effective stat scaling improves. For example, two-handing a Strength-based Greatsword effectively increases your Strength for damage calculations by about 50%, letting you hit much harder than you could one-handed.

Unlocking New Attack Animations Two-handing can also unlock new moves and weapon arts. Many weapons have a unique two-handed strong attack or weapon skill that is inaccessible while holding a shield. These attacks often cover larger areas, knock back enemies, or deliver multiple consecutive hits, giving you a versatile toolkit for crowd control or boss fights.

Meeting Stat Requirements Some weapons have hefty stat requirements that make them impossible to wield one-handed early in the game. Two-handing can let you meet these requirements temporarily, letting you use heavier weapons earlier without needing to level your stats immediately. This opens up more strategic options in weapon choice, allowing you to experiment with weapons outside your usual build.

The Trade-Off: Losing Your Shield

While two-handing has numerous advantages, it,s not without drawbacks. Most notably, you lose access to your shield, which means:

No Blocking – Shields are vital for reducing incoming damage. Two-handing leaves you vulnerable to attacks that would normally be mitigated.

No Parrying – Parrying with a shield allows for powerful counterattacks, but this option is unavailable when two-handing.

Increased Risk – Boss fights, PvP duels, or areas with fast enemies require precise timing and dodging. Without a shield, your reliance on mobility and spacing becomes critical.

Because of this, two-handing is most effective in scenarios where:

You can safely dodge or roll through attacks.

You,re fighting enemies with predictable patterns.

You need to maximize damage output, especially for stagger-heavy or critical-hit strategies.

When to Two-Hand

Two-handing is situational, and knowing when to switch from one-handed to two-handed can make a huge difference. Some recommended scenarios include:

Against High-HP Enemies or Bosses If your goal is breaking poise or staggering a tough foe, two-handing can dramatically increase your damage per hit. Weapons like Ultra Greatswords, Colossal Hammers, and Spears benefit immensely from this approach.

For Aggressive Builds Melee builds that prioritize dodging over blocking often rely on two-handed weapons. High-damage, high-momentum swings punish enemies quickly, making the loss of a shield less significant.

During Burst Damage Windows Certain boss mechanics or enemy vulnerabilities create windows of opportunity. Switching to two-handed mode during these windows allows you to unleash maximum damage, potentially shortening fights or breaking boss stances faster.

Exploration and Clearing Mobs When fighting groups of weaker enemies, the wider sweeps and stronger AoE attacks available in two-handed mode can make mob-clearing faster and safer, assuming you can avoid being surrounded.

Two-Handing Techniques

Mastering two-handing isn,t just about holding the weapon with both hands-it,s about timing, spacing, and weapon choice. Some tips include:

Learn Weapon Movesets Every weapon behaves differently when two-handed. Take time to experiment with light and heavy attacks, charged swings, and special skills. Understanding these animations is crucial for avoiding overcommitment and minimizing vulnerability.

Use Dodges Strategically Without a shield, your survival depends on dodging and positioning. Time your rolls to avoid multi-hit combos, and try to anticipate enemy attack patterns before committing to heavy two-handed strikes.

Mix One-Handed and Two-Handed Switching between one-handed and two-handed mid-fight can maximize both defense and offense. For example, start a fight one-handed to block or parry, then switch to two-handed to finish the enemy with high damage.

Buffs and Ashes of War Take advantage of buffs, weapon arts, and Ashes of War that synergize with two-handed moves. Some weapon arts provide AoE, knockback, or critical strike potential that is significantly amplified when both hands are on the weapon.

Conclusion

Two-handing in Elden Ring is far more than a stylistic choice-it,s a powerful tactical tool that can change the outcome of any encounter. From increased damage and unlockable attacks to meeting stat requirements you otherwise couldn,t, the advantages are undeniable. But the loss of your shield means that timing, dodging, and awareness are critical for survival.

Whether you,re tackling bosses, clearing mobs, or experimenting with builds, mastering two-handing can elevate your combat proficiency and open up new strategies for your character. By understanding when to switch, how to use your weapon effectively, and the situational trade-offs, you,ll be able to dominate fights with the precision and brutality that Elden Ring Items for sale demands.

For any Tarnished looking to maximize their damage potential while keeping their survival in mind, two-handing is a mechanic worth mastering-it,s about power, timing, and knowing exactly when to go all-in.