How to MASTER Combat in Elden Ring
The Ultimate Guide to Strafes, Stance Damage, and Punish Windows
If you're truly ready to get good at Elden Ring and not just say it, welcome to the best damn combat guide on the planet. This isn't some basic tutorial on how to roll away from attacks - this is for those of you who want to style on bosses, walk through randomizers, and make even challenge runs feel fair. Whether you're running a dagger, a colossal weapon, or a naked fist build, this will apply to you.
1. Learn Strafes - The Secret Sauce of Combat
We begin with a deceptively simple yet unbelievably powerful skill: strafe movement.
Strafing means dodging attacks without rolling. You might think that sounds reckless, but it's a high-reward skill that can flip the script on even the toughest bosses. When done correctly, a strafe:
· Puts you in the blind spot of an enemy attack
· Opens up a punishment window even while the boss is still swinging
· Can lead to charge attacks or backstabs
· Looks stylish as hell
The beauty is that a proper strafe doesn't just avoid damage - it converts the enemy's momentum into your opportunity. You don't have to wait for a full combo to end. Step inside, apply pressure, and swing big.
Think of moves like:
· Margit's windup bonk - strafe behind the elbow and punish
· Tree Spirits' spiral charge - move diagonally into their flanks
· Fire Giant's mega stomp - tight walk-ins for charge attacks
Even better? Strafes can create healing windows when used wisely. Pop that flask mid-animation cycle while your opponent whiffs.
Strafes win fights, save flasks, and break bosses. Learn them. Love them. Abuse them.
2. Exploit Stance Damage - Crack Every Boss Wide Open
Every enemy in Elden Ring has an invisible Stance bar - you may know it as Poise or Posture, depending on your terminology. When this bar is depleted, you stagger the enemy and can usually get a critical hit (a repost). Here's how it works:
· Heavy weapons deal more stance damage per hit.
· Charged heavy attacks (even with light armaments) are key to landing staggers.
· Ashes of War, some spells, and jump attacks also deal massive stance damage.
· The stance bar regenerates quickly if you wait too long between hits.
Knowing what type of enemy you're fighting is critical:
· Smaller/faster bosses (e.g., Malenia, Godskin Duo) have low poise, but it regenerates quickly
· Larger/slower bosses (e.g., Fire Giant, Crucible Knight) have high poise, but you have more time between hits to stagger them
For Items of weapons:
· Colossal weapons (greatswords, hammers) = best stance damage
· Great hammers, especially, tend to win out
· Daggers and whips are trash for poise damage - don't even try
· Regular weapons like katanas or curved swords can still break poise - just use jump attacks or charged heavies
Please buy Elden Ring Items that hit fast, hit hard, and hit often.
3. To Repost or Not to Repost - The Real Question
So you've broken the enemy's stance. What now? Your gut instinct is to walk up and trigger a repost. And sometimes, that's fine. But here's the truth: that's not always the best play.
Why?
Because:
· Large bosses like dragons or Fire Giants stay on the ground longer after a poise break
· That gives you extra seconds to dish out more damage before landing the crit
· Some enemies can be chain-staggered if you hit them right as they stand up again
· In some cases, reposting early wastes a massive opportunity
When to Wait:
· You're holding a high-stance damage weapon
· The enemy has a long stun animation
· You can land 2-4 heavy hits + repost instead of just the crit
When to Repost Immediately:
· The boss gets up quickly (e.g., Cleanrot Knight)
· You're low on stamina or in danger of being interrupted
· You're optimizing burst damage per second
Pro tip: Back up immediately after a repost. A lot of bosses wake up swinging. Get ready to strafe, dodge, or counter with a charged heavy.
Final Thoughts: How to Think Like a Killer
Mastering Elden Ring combat isn't just about knowing what button to press. It's about:
· Reading enemy animations like a book
· Knowing when to punish and when to reset
· Using every part of the enemy's attack cycle against them
· Being greedy when it's safe, and disciplined when it's dangerous
This guide only scratches the surface. But if you learn strafes, master poise break, and rethink repost timing, you'll already be leagues above most Tarnished.
So go out there, get your gear, pick your weapon, and start dominating the Lands Between.
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