Home News How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

by Oliver Mar 01,2025

Mastering Two-Handed Weaponry in Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide

This guide delves into the mechanics and strategies of two-handing weapons in Elden Ring, explaining how to do it, its advantages, disadvantages, and the best weapons suited for this combat style.

How to Two-Hand Weapons

To wield a weapon with two hands in Elden Ring, press and hold E on PC, Triangle on PlayStation, or Y on Xbox, then initiate an attack. This applies to both your left and right-hand weapons. Note that if you've customized your controls, these may differ. This method also works while mounted, but remember that weapons requiring two-handed use due to Strength requirements must be two-handed before mounting your steed.

Why Two-Hand Your Weapon?

Two-handing offers significant benefits:

  • Increased Damage: Your Strength stat receives a 50% boost, significantly enhancing damage output, especially for Strength-scaling weapons.
  • Altered Movesets: Some weapons gain new attack animations and damage types when wielded with two hands.
  • Access to Higher Strength Weapons: It allows you to use weapons that would otherwise be inaccessible due to your Strength level.
  • Ash of War Accessibility: Using a shield blocks access to your right-hand weapon's Ash of War. Two-handing your main weapon unlocks its full potential.

Drawbacks of Two-Handed Combat

While powerful, two-handing has drawbacks:

  • Altered Attack Patterns: Attacks change; adapt your strategy to these shifts.
  • Build Dependency: Best suited for Strength builds; less effective for Dexterity or other builds. Experiment to find what works best.

Best Weapons for Two-Handing

Generally, large, Strength-scaling weapons excel when wielded with two hands. Since the Shadow of the Erdtree update, the Two-Handed Sword Talisman is a valuable addition for further damage boosts when using swords.

Excellent choices include:

  • Greatswords
  • Colossal Swords
  • Great Hammers
  • Colossal Weapons (generally anything scaling well with Strength)

Specific recommendations include the Greatsword, Zweihander, Fire Knight's Greatsword, and the Giant-Crusher (a strong alternative if you prefer non-sword options).

Scorpion River Catacombs entrance in Elden Ring.

Screenshot by The Escapist.

Smithscript Hammer in Elden Ring.

Screenshot by The Escapist.

Church of the Bud in Elden Ring.

Screenshot by The Escapist.

Elden Ring is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.

Updated: 1/27/25

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