Mastering the art of wielding weapons with both hands in *Elden Ring* can significantly enhance your combat effectiveness, turning you into a formidable force against your adversaries. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the mechanics of two-handing weapons, the compelling reasons to adopt this technique, the potential drawbacks, and the best weapons to use for this strategy.

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How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden RingWhy You Should Two-Hand in Elden RingThe Downsides of Using a Weapon in Two-HandsBest Weapons to Two-Hand in Elden Ring How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

To harness the power of two-handing weapons in Elden Ring, you simply need to hold E on PC, triangle on PlayStation, or Y on Xbox, and then press the attack button for either your left or right-hand weapon, depending on which you wish to wield with both hands. If you've customized your controls, ensure you haven't altered these default settings.

This technique is not only useful on foot but also while mounted. You can seamlessly switch between weapons or shift from melee to magic even when riding. However, remember that if a weapon's Strength requirements necessitate two-handing, you must start doing so before mounting your steed. Once on horseback, the two-handing status won't automatically apply unless initiated beforehand.

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

Why You Should Two-Hand in Elden Ring

Screenshot by The Escapist. There are numerous compelling reasons to embrace two-handing in Elden Ring. A primary advantage is the significant boost in damage output. When wielding a weapon with both hands, your Strength stat increases by 50%, which can dramatically enhance the power of your attacks, especially if you're using a weapon that scales well with Strength.

Moreover, two-handing often alters the weapon's move set, potentially changing the damage type or providing new combat options. This Strength boost also enables you to use heavier weapons you might not otherwise be able to handle, allowing for more flexibility in your build without having to max out your Strength stat.

Another crucial benefit is improved efficiency with Ashes of War. If you're using a sword and shield setup, your weapon skill might default to your shield's ability. By two-handing your sword, you can directly access its unique Ash of War, which can be a game-changer in battle.

The Downsides of Using a Weapon in Two-Hands

Screenshot by The Escapist. While two-handing is often advantageous for Strength-focused builds in Elden Ring, it's not without its downsides. The shift to two-handing can modify your attack patterns, necessitating some time to adapt. It's important to weigh the potential damage increase against the utility of having a shield or secondary weapon, especially in specific combat scenarios.

For those not focusing on Strength builds, such as Dexterity or hybrid builds, two-handing might not be as beneficial. Experimentation is key to finding the right balance for your playstyle.

Best Weapons to Two-Hand in Elden Ring

Screenshot by The Escapist. When choosing the best weapons to two-hand in Elden Ring, prioritize those that scale well with Strength. Large weapons such as Greatswords, Colossal Swords, Great Hammers, and other Colossal Weapons are ideal candidates. With the introduction of Shadow of the Erdtree, consider equipping the Two-Handed Sword Talisman to further amplify your damage output when two-handing swords.

Recommended weapons include the Greatsword, Zweihander, and Fire Knight's Greatsword. If you're not set on using a sword, the Giant-Crusher is also an excellent choice.

And that's everything you need to know about how to two-hand weapons in Elden Ring.

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.