Does Two-Handing Increase Strength in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Yes, two-handing a weapon in Elden Ring effectively increases your Strength stat. When you wield a weapon with two hands, your Strength stat is multiplied by 1.5 for the purposes of meeting weapon requirements and calculating damage. This mechanic is crucial for Strength-based builds and offers significant advantages in combat. Let’s dive into the specifics of how this works and why it matters.
The Power of Two Hands: How Strength Scaling Works
Elden Ring, like its predecessors in the Soulsborne series, features a deep and rewarding combat system. Understanding the mechanics behind weapon scaling and stat bonuses is crucial for optimizing your character’s effectiveness. Two-handing weapons is a fundamental technique that directly impacts your damage output and accessibility to powerful armaments.
Strength Multiplier: The 1.5x Bonus
The core benefit of two-handing lies in the 1.5x multiplier applied to your character’s Strength stat. For example, if your character has 20 Strength, two-handing a weapon will temporarily boost that stat to 30 for the selected weapon. This virtual increase doesn’t change your base Strength, but it allows you to wield weapons with higher Strength requirements than you could normally manage.
Meeting Strength Requirements
One of the most significant applications of this mechanic is allowing you to wield weapons that would otherwise be out of reach. Many of the most devastating weapons in Elden Ring, particularly colossal swords and hammers, have substantial Strength requirements. By two-handing, you can access these weapons earlier in the game or even make builds viable that wouldn’t be otherwise.
Enhanced Damage Output
Beyond simply meeting requirements, the boosted Strength also directly influences your damage output. Most melee weapons in Elden Ring scale with Strength, meaning that the higher your Strength stat, the more damage you’ll deal with each attack. Two-handing effectively gives you a significant, albeit temporary, Strength boost, resulting in increased damage per hit. The exact damage increase will vary depending on the weapon’s scaling grade (S, A, B, C, D, or E), with higher grades benefiting more from the increased Strength.
Changing Movesets
In addition to increased strength and damage, two-handing may modify the weapon’s moveset. Certain attacks or combos may only be available when two-handing, offering tactical advantages in combat.
Two-Handing vs. Dual-Wielding: Which is Better?
The choice between two-handing a single weapon and dual-wielding two weapons comes down to playstyle and build preferences.
Two-Handing Pros:
- Strength Bonus: The 1.5x Strength multiplier is a significant advantage.
- Damage Per Hit: Generally, two-handing leads to higher damage per hit compared to single-handing.
- Accessibility: Allows you to wield heavier weapons earlier.
- Modified Movesets: Different attack patterns and combos may be available.
Dual-Wielding Pros:
- Damage Per Second: Dual-wielding can potentially output more damage per second, especially with fast weapons.
- Status Buildup: Dual-wielding can rapidly build up status effects like bleed or frostbite.
- Unique Power Stance: Allows for special attack combinations unique to dual-wielding.
The optimal choice varies depending on the situation and your build. Strength builds often favor two-handing for the raw damage output, while Dexterity builds might lean towards dual-wielding for speed and status buildup. Both styles offer rewarding gameplay experiences. It’s worth experimenting with both to see which you prefer.
Conclusion: Master the Art of Two-Handing
Two-handing weapons is a crucial technique in Elden Ring that offers significant benefits to Strength-based builds. By boosting your effective Strength stat, you can wield powerful weapons and unleash devastating attacks. Understanding this mechanic is essential for mastering the combat system and overcoming the game’s challenging encounters. Whether you’re facing a formidable boss or exploring the vast open world, knowing when to wield a weapon with two hands can make all the difference. Learning effective strategies in video games like Elden Ring can improve problem-solving skills and strategic thinking, which are skills that are transferable to other aspects of life, just as researchers at the Games Learning Society can tell you; visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does two-handing increase skill damage in Elden Ring?
Yes, two-handing can increase skill damage in Elden Ring, but indirectly. The increase is attributed to the strength bonus that you get from two-handing, which in turn buffs the damage dealt by skills of armaments that scale with the strength stat.
2. How much Strength do I need to two-hand a weapon?
You need 50% of the listed Strength requirement to two-hand a weapon. For example, if a weapon requires 40 Strength, you only need 20 Strength to wield it with two hands.
3. Does two-handing always increase damage?
Generally, yes. Two-handing typically increases damage due to the 1.5x Strength bonus, which improves the damage scaling for Strength-based weapons. However, the actual damage increase will depend on the weapon’s scaling grade and your character’s stats.
4. Can I still use Ashes of War while two-handing?
Yes, you can use Ashes of War while two-handing. The weapon skill associated with the Ash of War will be performed when you use the appropriate input (usually L2/LT).
5. Does two-handing affect my character’s weight load?
No, two-handing does not affect your character’s weight load. The weight of the weapon remains the same regardless of whether you’re wielding it with one or two hands.
6. Does Dexterity affect two-handed weapons?
While Strength is the primary stat affected by two-handing, Dexterity can still play a role if the weapon scales with Dexterity. If a weapon has both Strength and Dexterity scaling, increasing both stats will improve its damage output. However, the two-handing bonus only directly affects the Strength component.
7. What are the best weapons to two-hand in Elden Ring?
The best weapons to two-hand depend on your build and playstyle, but some popular choices include colossal swords like the Greatsword and colossal weapons like the Giant-Crusher. These weapons benefit greatly from the Strength bonus and can deliver massive damage.
8. Does two-handing affect my ability to parry?
When two-handing a weapon, you cannot use a shield to parry unless the weapon itself has a parry skill. Some weapons, like certain thrusting swords, come with a parry skill even when two-handed.
9. How do I switch between one-handing and two-handing?
To switch between one-handing and two-handing on PlayStation, hold Triangle and press either L1 or R1. On Xbox, hold Y and press either LB or RB. On PC, press the “E” key while wielding the weapon you want to two-hand.
10. Does two-handing affect my character’s Stamina consumption?
The impact of two-handing on Stamina consumption varies. While some attacks may consume slightly more Stamina when two-handed, the damage increase often makes it worthwhile. Managing your Stamina effectively is crucial regardless of whether you’re one-handing or two-handing.
11. Can I use spells while two-handing a weapon?
Yes, you can cast spells while two-handing a weapon. This allows for versatile builds that combine melee combat with magic.
12. Is it better to two-hand or dual-wield katanas?
The choice between two-handing and dual-wielding katanas depends on your build and playstyle. Dual-wielding can provide faster attacks and status buildup, while two-handing offers higher damage per hit and different attacks. Some players prefer to dual-wield katanas like Rivers of Blood with another katana for bleed buildup, while others prefer the two-handed moveset of weapons like Moonveil.
13. Does two-handing affect jump attacks?
Yes, two-handing affects jump attacks. Typically, two-handed jump attacks deal significantly more damage than one-handed jump attacks. Jump attacks are a key component of Strength-based builds and can be particularly effective against bosses.
14. How does two-handing work with colossal weapons?
Two-handing is especially beneficial with colossal weapons due to their high Strength requirements and significant damage scaling. The 1.5x Strength bonus makes it easier to meet the requirements and maximizes their damage output.
15. What is the best way to utilize two-handing in Elden Ring?
The best way to utilize two-handing is to experiment with different weapons and builds to find what works best for your playstyle. Consider the weapon’s Strength scaling, moveset, and your character’s stats. Practice switching between one-handing and two-handing to adapt to different combat situations. And most importantly, have fun exploring the vast world of Elden Ring!