Elden Ring offers a vast array of combat options, allowing players to tailor their Tarnished to their preferred playstyle. Among these options, powerstancing – wielding two weapons of the same weapon type simultaneously – stands out as a visually striking and powerful offensive strategy. But for newcomers and even seasoned veterans, a crucial question arises: Do You Have To Learn Powerstance In Elden Ring to be effective? The short answer is no. While powerstancing is undeniably strong, it’s not mandatory for success in the Lands Between. In fact, focusing on two-handing a single weapon presents a compelling alternative with its own set of advantages, particularly when wielding heavier armaments.
Let’s delve into why mastering powerstance isn’t the only path to victory and explore the often-overlooked benefits of sticking to a single, two-handed weapon in Elden Ring.
The Underrated Power of Two-Handing in Elden Ring
While dual-wielding might seem like the more aggressive and damage-dealing approach at first glance, two-handing a weapon offers a strategic depth and practical advantages that can be incredibly potent, especially for Strength-focused builds and players who favor heavier weapon types. Here’s a breakdown of the key benefits:
Strength Bonus and Stat Efficiency
One of the most significant advantages of two-handing is the built-in Strength bonus. When you grip a weapon with both hands, your Strength stat receives a hidden 1.5x multiplier for the purpose of meeting weapon requirements. This crucial mechanic allows you to effectively wield weapons that would otherwise be beyond your reach based on your base Strength stat.
For example, if a colossal sword requires 48 Strength, you would only need 32 base Strength to wield it effectively when two-handing (since 32 x 1.5 = 48). This stat efficiency frees up valuable levels to invest in other crucial attributes like Vigor, Endurance, or Mind, leading to a more well-rounded and resilient character build. Furthermore, this Strength boost also contributes to a noticeable increase in your Attack Rating (AR), enhancing your damage output even with single hits.
Weight Management and Equipment Load
Carrying two weapons, especially heavier ones suitable for powerstancing, significantly increases your equipment load. This can be a major constraint, forcing you to compromise on armor choices or invest heavily in Endurance just to maintain a medium equip load and avoid the dreaded “fat roll.”
Two-handing eliminates this issue entirely. By wielding only one weapon, you drastically reduce your weight burden. This allows for greater flexibility in armor selection, enabling you to equip heavier, more protective sets without sacrificing mobility. This is particularly beneficial for players who prefer a more defensive playstyle or those who want to maximize their physical defense against Elden Ring’s formidable foes.
Stamina Conservation and Attack Efficiency
While powerstancing can unleash flurries of attacks, it often comes at a steeper stamina cost. Each L1 attack in a powerstance combo consumes a significant chunk of stamina, potentially leaving you vulnerable if you mismanage your resources.
Two-handed attacks, in contrast, generally consume less stamina per input for ground-based attacks. This stamina efficiency allows for more sustained offense and greater freedom to perform other actions like dodging and blocking without quickly depleting your stamina bar. While the initial damage per attack might seem lower compared to a flurry of powerstance hits, the sustained damage output and stamina management can often result in greater overall efficiency, especially in longer engagements.
Attack Variety and Tactical Flexibility
Two-handing opens up a wider range of attack options beyond simply spamming L1. You gain access to the weapon’s full moveset, including thrusting attacks, charged heavy attacks, and jump attacks, providing greater tactical flexibility in combat. Furthermore, two-handing is typically the intended stance for utilizing weapon skills (Ashes of War). While powerstancing can sometimes access weapon skills, it often requires additional button presses or weapon swapping, disrupting the flow of combat.
The charged heavy attack, in particular, becomes a powerful tool when two-handing. It delivers significant stance damage, making it excellent for breaking enemy poise and setting up critical hits. This is often overlooked in favor of powerstance’s raw DPS, but mastering charged heavy attacks can be a game-changer, especially against heavily armored or aggressive enemies.
The Power of Blocking
Perhaps the most significant tactical advantage of two-handing is the ability to effectively block. While dodging is crucial in Elden Ring, blocking remains a valuable tool, especially against predictable attack patterns or when dealing with enemies that inflict status effects on hit.
Two-handing allows you to readily block with your weapon, mitigating a significant portion of incoming damage, particularly with heavier weapons that offer higher guard boost stats. Powerstancing, on the other hand, sacrifices this defensive capability. While you can technically block while powerstancing by switching back to a one-handed stance, this action is cumbersome and can leave you vulnerable in fast-paced combat situations. The immediate access to blocking while two-handing provides a crucial layer of defense and tactical flexibility that powerstance simply cannot match.
Stealth and Stance Breaking with Charged Attacks
Beyond direct combat, two-handing offers unique advantages in stealth situations. Charged heavy attacks with heavy weapons when two-handed are often superior to immediate backstabs against many enemies for initiating combat from stealth.
These charged attacks deal substantial damage and frequently stance-break enemies, allowing you to follow up with a critical hit or another charged attack. This approach can be particularly effective in areas with tight corridors or ambushes, allowing you to quickly dispatch enemies before they can react. Furthermore, in situations where enemies are near ledges, a charged heavy attack can prevent them from falling off after the initial hit, ensuring they remain within reach for a follow-up attack.
Conclusion: Choose the Combat Style That Suits You
So, do you have to learn powerstance in Elden Ring? Absolutely not. While powerstancing is a potent offensive option, two-handing a single weapon is a highly viable and strategically rich alternative, especially for Strength builds and players who appreciate a balance of offense and defense.
Two-handing offers stat efficiency, weight management, stamina conservation, attack variety, blocking capability, and even stealth advantages. It encourages a more deliberate and tactical approach to combat, rewarding players who master timing, spacing, and the nuances of their weapon’s moveset.
Ultimately, the best combat style in Elden Ring is the one that resonates with your personal preferences and playstyle. Experiment with both powerstancing and two-handing to discover which approach feels most comfortable and effective for you. The Lands Between offer diverse challenges, and mastering different combat styles will only enhance your journey as the Elden Lord.
