Everything You Need to Know About Two-Handing Weapons in Elden Ring

How to Two-Hand in Elden Ring

Press and hold △ and press R1 or L1 on Playstation. Press R1 to two-hand the weapon or shield in your right weapon slot. Press L1 to two-hand the weapon or shield in your left weapon slot.

Press and hold Y and press RB or LB on Xbox. Press RB to two-hand the weapon or shield in your right weapon slot. Press LB to two-hand the weapon or shield in your left weapon slot.

Press and hold E and right-click or left-click on PC. Right-click to two-hand the weapon or shield in your right weapon slot. Left-click to two-hand the weapon or shield in your left weapon slot.

Advantages of Two-Handing

You don't need as much strength to carry weapons. Two-handing gives you a 1.5x strength modifier. This means that if a sword requires 30 strength to wield, you can two-hand it with 20 strength. If you have less than 20 strength, you won't be able to effectively wield the weapon, even with two hands.

You do more damage. The 1.5x strength modifier also applies to the damage you do. It's also more effective at breaking an enemy's guard.

Some weapons have different attacks. Some weapons have different modes and different attacks when wielded with two hands instead of one.

You can lighten your equipment load. Since you'll be carrying your weapon with two hands, you can remove the shield from your other hand. This will lighten your equipment load.

Disadvantages of Two-Handing

You can't carry a shield. Since you'll be using both your hands to carry your weapon, you can't carry a shield at the same time. This will lower your defenses and leave you more open to attack.

Blocking isn't as effective. You can still block while two-handing a weapon, but it won't be as effective. You'll receive more damage than you would if you were to block with a shield.

You'll need to depend on rolling more. You'll need to get good and practice the timing of your rolls in order to prevent damage.

Your attacks are slightly slower. Since you're putting more power into your attacks, there is a slightly slower wind-up and recovery for each attack.

Best Two-Handed Weapons

Greatswords. Greatswords are large, powerful swords that do a great deal of damage. Using them with two hands allows you to wield them without as much strength. They also have different attacks when wielded with two hands. You can do a powerful overhead attack instead of a vertical attack.

Collosal weapons. Collosal weapons require high levels of strength and stamina to wield. Wielding them with two hands allows you to wield them with 50% less strength. They also tend to have greater range, which allows you to keep your distance so that you don't get attacked since you're not carrying a shield.

Fists and claws. When two-handing fists and claws, you get a two-handed move set. This essentially allows you to duel-wield your fists and claws.

Bows. Bows needed to be two-handed by default. While you can use them with one hand, they're not as effective.

Crossbows. Unlike bows, crossbows can be welded effectively with one hand. However, using two hands allows you to aim and zoom in.