Mastering the art of two-handing weapons in *Elden Ring* is key to obliterating your foes. This guide breaks down exactly how to do it, and why you'd want to.

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 press your attack button. This selects either your left or right-hand weapon, depending on which you want to wield with two hands. If you've customized your controls, double-check your settings. These controls also work for switching weapons while mounted, ideal for those who utilize multiple weapons or switch between melee and magic. However, remember that if a weapon requires two-handing due to Strength requirements, you must initiate the two-handing before mounting your steed. While mounted, you aren't technically two-handing unless you've already done so beforehand.

Why You Should Two-Hand in Elden Ring

Two-handing offers significant advantages. The most obvious is the damage boost. Your Strength stat increases by 50%, significantly amplifying the impact of Strength-scaling weapons. Furthermore, the move set often changes, with some weapons even altering damage type depending on how they're wielded. This Strength boost also allows you to wield weapons normally beyond your reach, maintaining a manageable Strength stat while still using powerful greatswords. Finally, it optimizes Ash of War usage. Using a sword and shield with the sword in your right hand defaults your weapon skill to the shield. Two-handing your right-hand weapon allows access to its Ash of War, adding tactical flexibility.

The Downsides of Using a Weapon in Two-Hands

While generally beneficial for Strength builds, two-handing has drawbacks. Attack patterns change, requiring adjustment and strategic planning. The trade-off between raw damage and situational effectiveness should be considered. Two-handing is less suitable for Dexterity or other builds; experimentation is key to finding what works best for your playstyle.

Best Weapons to Two-Hand in Elden Ring

Large, Strength-scaling weapons are ideal: Greatswords, Colossal Swords, Great Hammers, and Colossal Weapons. With the *Shadow of the Erdtree* update, the Two-Handed Sword Talisman provides a significant damage boost when two-handing swords. Excellent choices include the Greatsword, Zweihander, Fire Knight’s Greatsword, and the Giant-Crusher (for a non-sword option). Ultimately, choose what suits your style best.

That’s how to two-hand weapons in *Elden Ring*. *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.