How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

Mastering the art of two-handing weapons in Elden Ring is key to obliterating foes. This guide details how to two-hand, why it's beneficial, potential drawbacks, and the best weapons for the job.

How to Two-Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

To two-hand weapons, press and hold E on PC, Triangle on PlayStation, or Y on Xbox, then attack with your desired weapon (left or right hand). Note: If you've customized your controls, double-check your settings. This method also works for switching weapons while mounted, but remember: you must two-hand before mounting for the effect to apply while riding. Weapons requiring two-handing due to Strength requirements must be two-handed *before* mounting your steed.

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

Why You Should Two-Hand in Elden Ring

Two-handing significantly boosts damage. Your Strength stat receives a 50% increase, amplifying the effectiveness of Strength-scaling weapons. Moreover, two-handing often alters move sets, sometimes changing damage types. This allows access to weapons normally beyond your Strength capabilities, offering flexibility in stat allocation. Finally, it optimizes Ash of War usage, preventing accidental shield skill activation when using a sword and shield.

The Downsides of Using a Weapon in Two-Hands

While advantageous for Strength builds, two-handing has drawbacks. Attack patterns change, demanding adjustment and strategic planning. The trade-off between raw damage and situational effectiveness needs careful consideration. Furthermore, it's less ideal for Dexterity or other non-Strength builds, requiring experimentation to find the optimal approach.

Best Weapons to Two-Hand in Elden Ring

Generally, large Strength-scaling weapons excel when two-handed. Consider Greatswords, Colossal Swords, Great Hammers, and Colossal Weapons. The Two-Handed Sword Talisman (available in *Shadow of the Erdtree*) significantly boosts damage when two-handing swords. Top recommendations include the Greatsword, Zweihander, Fire Knight's Greatsword, and the Giant-Crusher (for non-sword options).

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.