In the world of Elden Ring, learning how to two-hand a weapon is a core skill that separates beginners from seasoned Tarnished. Combat in FromSoftware’s masterpiece rewards precision and adaptability, and understanding when—and why—to two-hand your weapon can completely transform your fighting style.

Understanding the Power of Two-Handing

In Elden Ring, combat flexibility is everything. Whether you’re a Tarnished wielding a colossal greatsword or a nimble dexterity build with a curved blade, learning to two-hand a weapon can drastically change your approach to battle. The mechanic isn’t just a flashy stance change—it directly affects your damage output, stamina usage, and the types of moves available in your attack combos.

By choosing to two-hand a weapon, you effectively channel your full strength into a single armament. This provides a 50% increase to your Strength scaling when calculating attack power. For example, if your character has 20 Strength, the game will treat it as 30 when two-handing—a huge advantage for heavy builds.

How to Two-Hand a Weapon in Elden Ring

The process of two-handing a weapon in Elden Ring is simple but slightly different depending on your platform. FromSoftware streamlined controls since Dark Souls 3, and it can be confusing if you’re new to the series or coming from an older title.

  • PlayStation: Hold Triangle and press R1 (for right-hand weapon) or L1 (for left-hand weapon).

  • Xbox: Hold Y and press RB or LB depending on which hand you want to two-hand.

  • PC (Keyboard): Hold E and press Left Mouse Button or Right Mouse Button to two-hand the weapon in your chosen hand.

You’ll notice your character shift their stance, gripping the weapon with both hands. Your block ability is temporarily replaced by more aggressive and weighty attacks—perfect for staggering enemies and breaking guards.

Why You Should Two-Hand

Two-handing is more than just extra damage. It changes the entire rhythm of your combat style:

  • Increased Strength Scaling: As mentioned, you effectively gain 1.5x your Strength stat.

  • Unique Movesets: Some weapons unlock different heavy or charged attacks when two-handed, offering new combos and reach.

  • Stance Breaking: Two-handed heavy swings are ideal for breaking enemy poise or posture, especially against larger foes.

  • Stamina Efficiency: You use less stamina to swing two-handed weapons compared to dual-wielding or one-handing.

However, it comes with trade-offs. You’ll lose access to your shield or secondary weapon while two-handing, making you more vulnerable. Timing, dodging, and spacing become crucial parts of your strategy.

When to Use Two-Handed Weapons

Two-handing shines in several combat situations:

  • Boss Fights: When you have a window to attack safely, switching to a two-handed stance can maximize your burst damage.

  • Guard Break Opportunities: Against enemies with shields, two-handed strong attacks can shatter their guard faster.

  • High-Poise Enemies: Large monsters and armored knights are easier to stagger with two-handed heavy hits.

Experiment with different weapon types to see how two-handing alters their performance. Greatswords, halberds, and colossal weapons benefit the most, but even lighter weapons gain extra fluidity and range.

Mastering how to two-hand a weapon in Elden Ring is an essential skill for any player seeking to push their build’s limits. It’s not just about power—it’s about adaptability. Knowing when to shift between one-handed versatility and two-handed ferocity can turn the tide of any encounter.