Is Dual Wielding Good in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide
Absolutely! Dual wielding in Elden Ring is not just good; it’s phenomenal. It’s a game-changer that significantly amplifies your offensive capabilities and allows for incredibly diverse and powerful builds. While it might require a bit more stat investment and strategic thinking, the payoff in terms of raw damage output, status effect buildup, and sheer fun is well worth it. Forget turtling behind a shield; embrace the power of wielding two weapons and unleash a flurry of attacks that will decimate your foes! Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the Lands Between, understanding how to effectively dual wield can elevate your Elden Ring experience to new heights.
Understanding Dual Wielding Mechanics
In Elden Ring, dual wielding isn’t as simple as equipping a weapon in each hand. To truly “dual wield” and access the unique moveset, you need to enter Power Stance. This is done by holding the “two-hand” button (usually Triangle or Y) while you have weapons of the same weapon type equipped in both hands. When done correctly, your character will adopt a new stance, and your attack animations will change dramatically.
The key benefits of power stancing include:
- Increased Damage Output: Power stance attacks often involve hitting with both weapons simultaneously, leading to significantly higher damage per attack.
- Faster Attack Speed: While not always the case, some power stance combinations allow for incredibly rapid attack chains, overwhelming enemies with a barrage of blows.
- Enhanced Status Effect Buildup: If your weapons inflict status effects like Bleed, Frostbite, or Poison, dual wielding doubles the rate at which these effects are applied, allowing you to quickly trigger them and debilitate your opponents.
- Unique Movesets: Power stance unlocks entirely new attack animations and combos, providing a fresh and exciting combat experience.
Building for Dual Wielding
While the Warrior class is a great starting point, any class can effectively dual wield with the right stat allocation. Here are some key considerations for building a dual-wielding character:
- Strength and/or Dexterity: These are the primary damage stats for most weapons. Focus on leveling the stat that scales best with your chosen weapons.
- Endurance: Stamina is crucial for executing attack chains and dodging enemy attacks. You’ll need a substantial Endurance stat to keep up the pressure.
- Vigor: Don’t neglect your health! You’ll be trading blows more often when dual wielding, so having a decent health pool is essential for survivability.
- Mind: If you plan on using weapon skills (Ashes of War) frequently, invest some points into Mind to increase your FP (Focus Points).
Top Weapon Combinations for Dual Wielding
The possibilities for dual wielding combinations are virtually endless, but here are a few standouts:
- Katanas: Dual katanas are incredibly popular due to their fast attack speed, high Bleed buildup, and stylish animations. Rivers of Blood and Uchigatana are excellent choices.
- Twinblades: As mentioned, the Godskin Peeler and Eleonora’s Poleblade combo is devastating, offering a mix of damage and status effects.
- Curved Swords: Scavenger’s Curved Sword paired with a Shamshir or a Bloodhound’s Curved Sword can create a fast-paced, Bleed-focused build.
- Straight Swords: Dual straight swords offer a good balance of damage and speed, making them a solid option for general combat. Longswords or Broadswords are reliable choices.
- Greatswords: While slower, dual greatswords can deliver massive damage. This requires high Strength and Endurance.
- Hammers: With a high Strength build, dual hammers can provide excellent poise breaking capability.
Ashes of War and Dual Wielding
Ashes of War are a game-changer for any Elden Ring build, and they synergize particularly well with dual wielding. Here are a few key things to keep in mind:
- Weapon Affinity: Choose the affinity that best suits your build. Heavy is great for Strength builds, Keen for Dexterity, and Quality for a mix of both.
- Status Effect Infusion: Ashes of War can be used to add or enhance status effects like Bleed, Poison, or Frostbite, further amplifying the power of your dual-wielding build.
- Strategic Skill Selection: Experiment with different Ashes of War to find the ones that complement your playstyle and provide useful utility in combat.
Disadvantages of Dual Wielding
While dual wielding is powerful, it’s not without its drawbacks:
- Increased Stat Requirements: Dual wielding requires you to meet the stat requirements for two weapons, which can be demanding.
- Limited Blocking: You sacrifice the ability to block effectively, making you more vulnerable to enemy attacks.
- Stamina Management: Dual wielding attacks consume more stamina, so you need to manage your stamina carefully to avoid getting caught defenseless.
Mastering Dual Wielding
To truly excel at dual wielding in Elden Ring, practice is key. Experiment with different weapon combinations, learn the timings of your attacks, and develop a strong sense of spacing and positioning. Master the art of dodging and rolling to avoid enemy attacks, and use your weapon skills strategically to gain an edge in combat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Dual Wielding in Elden Ring
1. Can you power stance different weapon types?
No, you can only power stance weapons of the same weapon type. For example, you can power stance two katanas, but not a katana and a straight sword.
2. Does dual wielding double your stats?
No, dual wielding does not double your stats. You still need to meet the stat requirements for both weapons individually.
3. Does dual wielding increase your equip load?
Yes, dual wielding increases your equip load, as you are carrying two weapons instead of one. Be mindful of your equip load to avoid being over-encumbered.
4. Which class is best for dual wielding?
The Warrior class is a good starting point, but any class can effectively dual wield with the right stat allocation. Strength builds can use the Vagabond to start and Dex builds can use the Samurai.
5. What is the best Ash of War for dual katanas?
It depends on your build and playstyle, but some popular choices include Blood Tax, Double Slash, and Unsheathe.
6. Does dual wielding work with shields?
No, dual wielding replaces the ability to use a shield. You’ll need to rely on dodging and rolling for defense.
7. How do I know if I’m power stancing correctly?
When you successfully enter power stance, your character will adopt a new stance, and your attack animations will change.
8. Can I dual wield colossal weapons?
While technically possible, dual wielding colossal weapons is extremely stat-intensive and not generally recommended.
9. Does dual wielding stack status effects?
Yes, dual wielding significantly increases the rate at which status effects like Bleed, Frostbite, and Poison are applied.
10. Is it better to dual wield or two-hand a single weapon?
It depends on the weapon and your playstyle. Dual wielding generally offers higher damage output, while two-handing provides better scaling and poise damage.
11. Can you dual wield unique weapons?
Yes, you can dual wield unique weapons, as long as they are of the same weapon type.
12. How does jumping affect dual wielding attacks?
Jumping attacks with dual weapons often hit multiple times, making them particularly effective for staggering enemies and applying status effects.
13. What is the best talisman for dual wielding builds?
Some useful talismans for dual wielding include the Green Turtle Talisman (for faster stamina recovery), the Erdtree’s Favor (for increased HP, stamina, and equip load), and the Claw Talisman (for increased jump attack damage).
14. Can you parry while dual wielding?
No, you cannot parry while dual wielding. You will need to rely on dodging and rolling.
15. Where can I learn more about Elden Ring builds and strategies?
You can find a wealth of information on online forums, wikis, and video guides. You can also expand your knowledge of the game’s educational elements at the GamesLearningSociety.org website. The Games Learning Society is a great resource to understand the intricate gaming elements of Elden Ring.