How to dual wield elden ring

What is Dual-Wielding in Elden Ring?

Dual-wielding, often referred to as power stancing in Elden Ring and other FromSoftware titles, is a combat mechanic that allows players to equip and attack with two weapons simultaneously. Instead of relying on a shield or a secondary item in the off-hand, players can choose to wield two offensive tools, opening up new combat possibilities, enhanced damage output, and unique attack animations. This playstyle is particularly effective for aggressive builds and players who prefer to stay close to their enemies.

How to Equip Weapons for Dual-Wielding

The first step to dual-wielding is proper equipment. Players need to access their inventory or the "Equip Load" menu at a Site of Grace. You will see two primary weapon slots: one for your right hand and one for your left hand. To dual-wield, you must equip a weapon in both of these slots. It's important to note that the effectiveness and synergy of dual-wielding often depend on the types of weapons you choose. While you can technically dual-wield any two weapons, equipping two weapons of the same type (e.g., two straight swords, two katanas, two daggers) generally unlocks the 'power stance' moveset. This means you will perform unique, combined attacks when using the dual-wielding input.

Unlocking the Power Stance Moveset

The true benefit of dual-wielding in Elden Ring comes from unlocking the 'power stance' moveset. This is not automatic for all weapon combinations. To activate the power stance, you generally need to equip two weapons of the same class or two weapons that share a similar moveset archetype. For example, equipping two Katanas will likely enable power stancing, as will two Greatswords or two Daggers. When power stanced, your standard attacks (when pressing R1/RB) will combine the animations and attacks of both weapons, leading to faster combos and increased damage per second. The specific requirements for power stancing can sometimes be nuanced, but sticking to identical weapon classes is the most reliable method.

How to Perform Dual-Wield Attacks

Once you have two compatible weapons equipped in your right and left hand slots, performing dual-wield attacks is straightforward. The key input is to press and hold the button associated with your left-hand weapon's guard/block function (L1 on PlayStation, LB on Xbox) while simultaneously pressing the button for your right-hand weapon's attack (R1 on PlayStation, RB on Xbox). Holding L1/LB puts your character in a stance that prepares them to unleash a dual-wield attack with R1/RB. Releasing R1/RB will execute the power stance attack. This is distinct from simply attacking with your off-hand weapon independently, which is typically done by pressing L2/LT.

Benefits of Dual-Wielding

Dual-wielding offers several advantages in Elden Ring's challenging combat system:

• Increased Damage Output: Attacking with two weapons at once naturally leads to higher damage per second, especially when both weapons are upgraded and infused with appropriate stats.
• Faster Attack Speed: The power stance moveset often incorporates faster animations and more rapid successive hits than single-weapon attacks.
• Status Effect Buildup: If your weapons inflict status effects like bleed, frostbite, or poison, dual-wielding allows you to build these effects up on enemies much faster, leading to devastating bursts of damage.
• Unique Weapon Arts: Many weapon arts are designed to be used in conjunction with another weapon, or they are simply more effective when executed with a dual-wielding setup.
• Stagger Potential: The rapid hits from dual-wielding can also contribute to staggering enemies more quickly, opening them up for critical hits.

Considerations and Downsides

While powerful, dual-wielding isn't without its drawbacks:

• No Shield: You lose the defensive capabilities of a shield, such as blocking, parrying, and certain shield-based skills. This requires a greater reliance on dodging and managing enemy attack patterns.
• Higher Equip Load: Two weapons often weigh more than one weapon and a shield, which can impact your equip load and potentially your dodge roll speed if not managed carefully.
• Stamina Consumption: Dual-wield attacks can sometimes consume more stamina than single-weapon attacks, requiring careful stamina management during combat.
• Stat Requirements: Equipping two powerful weapons might necessitate higher Strength, Dexterity, or other stat investments, potentially spreading your build thinner.

Weapon Recommendations for Dual-Wielding

The best weapons for dual-wielding depend heavily on your build and preferred playstyle. However, some popular and effective combinations include:

• Katanas: Excellent for bleed builds, fast attacks, and good reach.
• Daggers: Extremely fast, great for critical hits and status effects, though range is limited.
• Straight Swords: Versatile, balanced damage and speed, good for general combat.
• Curved Swords: Rapid attacks and good for applying status effects.
• Greatswords/Colossal Swords: For high-damage, albeit slower, dual-wielding builds focusing on stagger and raw power.

Experimenting with different weapon types and combinations is key to finding what works best for your Tarnished.