How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

Mastering the art of two-handing weapons in *Elden Ring* is key to decimating your foes. This guide will break down the how and why of this powerful technique.

How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

To two-hand your weapon, simply hold down E on PC, Triangle on PlayStation, or Y on Xbox, then press your attack button. This will activate the two-handed attack for either your left or right-hand weapon, depending on which you selected. If you’ve customized your controls, double-check your settings to ensure this functionality remains intact. This method also works for switching weapons while mounted, offering seamless transitions between melee and magic, or different weapon types. However, remember that weapons requiring two-handed use due to Strength requirements must be two-handed before mounting your steed.

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, potentially altering damage type. This Strength boost also allows you to wield weapons normally beyond your capabilities, maintaining a manageable Strength stat while still using powerful greatswords. Finally, two-handing grants access to your weapon's Ash of War, bypassing the default shield skill if you were using a sword and shield.

The Downsides of Two-Handing

While beneficial for Strength builds, two-handing isn't always ideal. The altered attack patterns require adaptation and strategic planning. Sometimes, sacrificing raw damage for situationally superior attacks proves more effective. Furthermore, its effectiveness diminishes with Dexterity or other non-Strength builds, demanding experimentation to find the optimal approach.

Best Weapons for Two-Handing

Generally, large, Strength-scaling weapons excel when two-handed. Since the *Shadow of the Erdtree* update, the Two-Handed Sword Talisman provides a significant damage boost for swords wielded in two hands. Greatswords, Colossal Swords, Great Hammers, and Colossal Weapons are all excellent choices. Specific recommendations include the Greatsword, Zweihander, Fire Knight's Greatsword, and the Giant-Crusher for non-sword options. Ultimately, choose what best suits your playstyle.

That's your guide to two-handing in *Elden Ring*. Good hunting, Tarnished!

*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-handing weapons in Elden Ring.*