Two-handing a weapon in Elden Ring is a simple mechanic that can significantly boost your damage output. To do this, you'll need to press a combination of buttons, depending on your platform.

How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

Here's a breakdown of how to two-hand your weapons on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox:

• PC: Hold down the "E" key and then right-click to two-hand your right-hand weapon. To two-hand your left-hand weapon, hold "E" and left-click.
• PlayStation: Hold the Triangle button and press R1 to two-hand your right-hand weapon, or L1 for your left-hand weapon.
• Xbox: Hold the Y button and press RB to two-hand your right-hand weapon, or LB for your left-hand weapon.

I remember when I first started playing Elden Ring, I completely missed the tutorial on how to two-hand. For the first few hours of the game, I was struggling against even the most basic enemies. Once I figured out this simple mechanic, it was a game-changer. Suddenly, I was staggering enemies and dealing much more damage, which made the early game a lot more manageable.

Benefits of Two-Handing

Two-handing a weapon isn't just for show. It comes with some significant advantages:

• Increased Damage: The most obvious benefit is the damage boost. You'll notice a significant increase in your attack power, which can be the difference between winning and losing a tough fight.
• Staggering Enemies: Two-handing your weapon increases its stagger potential, meaning you're more likely to break an enemy's stance and open them up for a critical hit.
• Meeting Stat Requirements: Some weapons have high stat requirements that you might not meet early in the game. Two-handing a weapon gives you a 1.5x strength bonus, which can help you wield powerful weapons sooner.

While two-handing is a great technique, it's not always the best option. You'll lose the ability to block with a shield or use a secondary weapon, so it's important to weigh the pros and cons depending on the situation. If you're interested in another combat style, you might want to check out our guide on how to dual-wield in Elden Ring.

I once tried a playthrough using only two-handed weapons, and it completely changed my approach to combat. I had to become much more aggressive and learn to rely on dodging rather than blocking. It was a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience that I'd recommend to any seasoned player looking for a new way to experience the game.

If you're looking to make some in-app purchases in Elden Ring, you can use Playstorm to earn gift cards for your favorite platform. By playing free games on the Playstorm app, you can redeem your earnings for PlayStation, Xbox, or PayPal vouchers to spend on whatever you like.