U4GM - 12 Combat Tricks Most Players Still Don’t Use in Elden Ring
Elden Ring offers one of the most nuanced and rewarding combat systems in modern RPGs, yet many players—even seasoned ones—often miss out on some incredibly effective tricks. After sinking over 300 hours into multiple playthroughs and experimenting with everything from Faith builds to pure melee characters, I’ve discovered that there are several underused techniques that can drastically improve your performance in battle. Whether you’re a first-time Tarnished or deep into NG+, here are 12 combat tricks most players still don’t use in Elden Ring Runes.
1. Guard Counter Timing
Many players know about guard counters but don’t realize how crucial the timing is. Instead of waiting until you fully block a hit, try initiating the counter just as the enemy’s weapon connects. This makes the response quicker and less telegraphed, often staggering enemies before they can recover.
2. Weapon Arts Over R1 Spam
It’s tempting to rely on light attacks, but Weapon Arts are massively underrated, especially the ones with hyper armor. Skills like Flaming Strike or Bloodhound’s Finesse can dominate PvE and PvP. Make sure to invest in FP and mind stats—your damage output will thank you.
3. Poise Management
Few players experiment with armor combinations to achieve optimal poise. Wearing armor that gives you just enough poise to tank through small hits while mid-rolling is a game-changer. You don’t need to fat-roll to be tanky.
4. Jump Attacks into Combos
Jump attacks are not only strong but also lead into combos if timed well. A heavy jump attack can break an enemy’s posture, and you can chain it into a quick follow-up light or heavy for devastating effect. I used this technique to cheese multiple mini-bosses in Caelid with ease.
5. Swap Talismans Mid-Fight
Most players set their talismans and forget them. But by using the inventory menu, you can swap talismans depending on the phase of a boss fight. For example, switching from a stamina talisman to a damage resistance talisman once the boss enrages has saved me more times than I can count.
6. Use of Status Arrows
Poison, sleep, and rot arrows can be stocked early and used to cheese even high-level enemies. Don’t just use arrows for damage; status arrows can turn a fight in your favor, especially when fighting aggressive invaders or tough wildlife.
7. Baiting Enemy Moves
Baiting a heavy move and dodging into the attack—rather than away—is a crucial PvE skill. Most enemies have a large recovery window after big moves. Dodge forward, not backward, and punish the opening. This was vital in my fight against Malenia.
8. Block + Counter vs. Multi-Hit Enemies
Against enemies with rapid combos, use a shield with high guard boost and then counter after the last hit. Multi-strike foes like Cleanrot Knights are vulnerable to this. You’ll conserve stamina and open them up for a stagger.
9. Leveraging Spirit Ashes Aggro
Many players summon Spirit Ashes and let them do their thing. Instead, use them tactically to pull aggro while you buff, heal, or charge a power move. Mimic Tear and Lhutel are fantastic for this. It’s like having a co-op partner without the need for matchmaking.
10. Free Aim Sorceries and Arrows
Manual aiming lets you land hits on targets behind cover or flying enemies. In PvP, manually firing spells like Glintstone Pebble can catch players off guard. I frequently use this against evasive invaders in the Haligtree.
11. Runes as Tactical Investment
A practical but overlooked strategy: strategically using runes. If you're struggling in a specific area, it's perfectly acceptable to buy Elden Ring runes to give yourself the edge. It's a time-saving method to power up your gear or boost your Vigor stat. Services like Elden Ring soul runes buy now options make this especially helpful for players who can’t grind for hours.
12. Two-Handing on the Fly
A surprising number of players forget you can two-hand a weapon mid-combat. This increases your damage output and often changes your move set. It’s excellent for breaking enemy stances or just squeezing out more DPS before a flask break.
The beauty of Elden Ring is that it rewards experimentation. From PvE duels with Black Knife Assassins to high-stakes PvP battles, these underused techniques have made my journey through the Lands Between richer and more survivable. Whether you're looking to refine your build or want an edge in a brutal boss fight, implementing even a few of these tricks can make a massive difference. And if you’re short on time or runes, don’t hesitate to buy Elden Ring runes from reputable sources—Elden Ring soul runes buy now options are there to help players enjoy the experience without endless farming.