Elden Ring: Mastering Dual Weapon Combat

Mastering the art of two-handed weapon combat in Elden Ring is key to decimating your foes. This guide will break down the mechanics, benefits, drawbacks, and ideal weapons for this powerful fighting style.

How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

To wield weapons with both hands, press and hold E on PC, Triangle on PlayStation, or Y on Xbox, then press your attack button. This activates either your left or right-hand weapon, depending on your selection. If you've customized your controls, double-check your settings. This method also works for switching weapons while mounted, perfect for those who utilize multiple weapons or switch between melee and magic. However, note that if a weapon requires two-handing due to Strength requirements, you must initiate the two-handed stance *before* mounting your steed; simply switching while mounted won't activate the two-handed bonus.

**Related: How to Get Out of Roundtable Hold in Elden Ring**

Why You Should Two-Hand in Elden Ring

Two-handing offers significant advantages. Primarily, it boosts your Strength by 50%, significantly increasing damage output, especially with Strength-scaling weapons. Moreover, the move set often changes, sometimes altering damage types depending on the weapon and wielding style. This Strength boost also allows access to weapons otherwise unfeasible, optimizing your Strength stat while still wielding powerful greatswords. Finally, it unlocks the full potential of your Ashes of War, bypassing the limitations of having a shield equipped.

The Downsides of Using a Weapon in Two-Hands

While beneficial for Strength builds, two-handing has drawbacks. Attack patterns change, requiring adaptation and strategic adjustments to your combat approach. The trade-off between raw damage and situational effectiveness should be carefully considered. Additionally, it's less effective for Dexterity or other non-Strength-focused builds, demanding experimentation to find the optimal playstyle.

Best Weapons to Two-Hand in Elden Ring

Generally, large, Strength-scaling weapons such as Greatswords, Colossal Swords, Great Hammers, and Colossal Weapons are ideal. Since the *Shadow of the Erdtree* update, the Two-Handed Sword Talisman significantly enhances damage when two-handing swords. Specific recommendations include the Greatsword, Zweihander, Fire Knight's Greatsword, and the Giant-Crusher for non-sword options. Ultimately, choose weapons that best suit your build and playstyle.

That's how to effectively two-hand weapons in Elden Ring. Experiment, adapt, and conquer!

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 how to two-hand weapons in Elden Ring.