How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

Mastering two-handed combat in *Elden Ring* is key to decimating enemies. This guide details how to two-hand weapons and explains the advantages and disadvantages of this technique.

How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

To two-hand weapons, press and hold E on PC, Triangle on PlayStation, or Y on Xbox, then press your attack button. This selects either your left or right-hand weapon for two-handed use. If you've customized your controls, verify these default settings haven't been altered. This method also works for switching weapons while mounted, allowing seamless transitions between melee and magic or different weapon types. Note: Weapons requiring two-handing due to Strength requirements must be two-handed *before* mounting your steed; simply mounting won't automatically enable two-handed combat in this case.

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 type. This Strength boost also allows wielding weapons normally beyond your capabilities, optimizing your build for manageable Strength stats while still using powerful weapons. Finally, it optimizes Ashes of War usage. When using a sword and shield, your weapon skill defaults to the shield. Two-handing your right-hand weapon directly accesses its Ash of War, offering greater combat versatility.

The Downsides of Using a Weapon in Two-Hands

While beneficial for Strength builds, two-handing has drawbacks. Attack patterns change, demanding adaptation and strategic planning. The trade-off between raw damage and situational effectiveness needs careful consideration. Furthermore, it's less ideal for Dexterity or other non-Strength builds. Experimentation is key to determining the best approach for your playstyle.

Best Weapons to Two-Hand in Elden Ring

Generally, large Strength-scaling weapons are optimal for two-handed combat. The Two-Handed Sword Talisman (available in *Shadow of the Erdtree*) significantly boosts damage when two-handing swords. Greatswords, Colossal Swords, Great Hammers, and Colossal Weapons are excellent choices. Consider weapons like the Greatsword, Zweihander, Fire Knight’s Greatsword, and the Giant-Crusher for diverse options.

This concludes our guide on two-handed combat in *Elden Ring*. Experiment and find the perfect weapon and technique to dominate the Lands Between!

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 two-handed weapon combat in Elden Ring.