Mastering the art of two-handing weapons in Elden Ring can dramatically change your combat experience. Whether you're exploring the vast lands of the Lands Between or preparing for the latest Shadow of the Erdtree expansion in 2025, understanding how to effectively wield your weapons with both hands is crucial for any Tarnished seeking victory.

Two-handing in Elden Ring offers a distinct advantage in certain situations, providing increased damage output and unique movesets at the cost of losing your shield protection. The mechanic isn't immediately obvious to newcomers, but once mastered, it becomes an essential combat technique.

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How to Two Hand Weapons in Elden Ring

The control scheme for two-handing weapons varies depending on your platform:

  • PlayStation (PS4/PS5): Hold Triangle + R1 for right-hand weapon or Triangle + L1 for left-hand weapon

  • Xbox: Hold Y + RB for right-hand weapon or Y + LB for left-hand weapon

  • PC (Keyboard & Mouse): Hold E + right-click for right-hand weapon or E + left-click for left-hand weapon

To return to one-handed stance, simply repeat the same button combination. This allows you to quickly adapt to different combat situations on the fly.

Advantages of Two-Handing Weapons

Two-handing your weapon in Elden Ring provides several significant benefits:

  1. Increased Damage Output: Your attacks will deal more damage when wielding a weapon with both hands.

  2. Strength Requirement Reduction: Two-handing effectively multiplies your Strength stat by 1.5, allowing you to use weapons that might otherwise be beyond your character's capabilities. For example, a weapon requiring 20 Strength can be effectively two-handed with just 14 Strength points.

  3. Unique Movesets: Many weapons, particularly larger ones like greatswords and colossal weapons, gain different attack patterns when two-handed. These often include powerful overhead slashes that deal significant poise damage.

  4. Weight Management: By removing your shield, you free up equipment load that can be used for heavier armor or other items.

Two-Handing vs. Dual Wielding

For Raider class players or those experimenting with different combat styles, the choice between two-handing and dual wielding (powerstancing) can significantly impact your playstyle.

Dual wielding provides access to unique attack combinations when wielding compatible weapons, while two-handing often grants better singular strikes and poise damage. As one experienced player noted: "I started dual wielding when possible with Raider because of the new relic in the shop, turning the guy into an actual stance breaking monster."

For certain weapon types like greatclubs and greataxes, powerstancing might actually provide better results than two-handing, especially with the Raider class. As another player observed: "You will swing faster, do more damage, and be able to roll out sooner if you powerstance those weapons as opposed to one-hand or two-hand them."

Special Cases: Bows and Crossbows

Bows and crossbows have their own unique mechanics when it comes to two-handing:

  • Bows must be two-handed by default to use effectively. While you can technically hold them with one hand, you won't be able to fire properly.

  • Crossbows can be operated with either one or both hands. Two-handing allows for aiming and zooming, which isn't possible when using them one-handed.

Combat Strategy: When to Two-Hand

Knowing when to switch between one-handed and two-handed stances is crucial for combat success. Two-handing is particularly effective when:

  1. You're confident in your dodging abilities and don't need a shield

  2. You're facing enemies with high poise or shields that need breaking

  3. You need the extra damage to overcome a tough boss

  4. You want to use a weapon despite not quite meeting its Strength requirement

Some players have developed their own techniques to maximize the effectiveness of two-handed attacks. As one veteran player shared: "Step 1: Jump. Step 2: Bonk. That's how you get around the terrible default moveset."

For those preparing for the latest content in 2025, mastering the art of switching between stances mid-combat can provide the versatility needed to overcome Elden Ring's most challenging encounters.

Remember that while two-handing provides offensive advantages, it comes with the trade-off of reduced defensive capabilities. Without a shield, you'll need to rely more heavily on well-timed dodges to avoid taking damage.

Whether you prefer the raw power of two-handed colossal weapons or the flexibility of quickly switching between dual-wielding and shield protection, understanding how to two-hand in Elden Ring remains an essential skill for any aspiring Elden Lord.

As you continue your journey through the Lands Between, experiment with different weapons and stances to find the combat style that works best for your character build and playstyle. The perfect balance between offense and defense is ultimately a matter of personal preference and adaptation to the challenges that lie ahead.