Elden Ring: Does Two Handing Increase Damage?

Elden Ring, the critically acclaimed action RPG from FromSoftware, is a sprawling, open-world journey filled with brutal bosses, mystical lore, and finely-tuned combat. With a deep arsenal of weapons and builds, players constantly seek ways to maximize their efficiency in battle — especially when facing relentless enemies or colossal foes.

One of the most debated topics among new players and veterans alike is: “Does two-handing a weapon in Elden Ring increase your damage?”

The short answer is yes, but the actual mechanics go deeper than a simple damage boost. use, and when it’s the most effective strategy in the Lands Between.

What Does Two Handing Mean in Elden Ring?

Two-handing refers to the act of wielding a weapon with both hands, rather than using one hand for the weapon and the other for a shield, catalyst, or off-hand item.

How to two-hand a weapon:

• On controller (PlayStation/Xbox): Hold Triangle (or Y) and press R1 (or RB) for right-hand weapon or L1 (or LB) for left-hand weapon.
• On PC (keyboard): Hold E (default) and press left click or right click, depending on the weapon hand.

Once a weapon is two-handed, the character enters a new animation stance, allowing for different move sets, higher stagger potential, and — most importantly — improved scaling efficiency.

Does Two Handing Increase Damage? (The Mechanics)

Yes, two-handing a weapon does increase your damage, but not directly. It does so through a mechanic known as stat scaling adjustment.

The key mechanic:

When you two-hand a weapon, Elden Ring applies a 50% bonus to your Strength stat — only for the purpose of meeting stat requirements and calculating Strength-based damage scaling.

So, if your character has 20 Strength, two-handing makes the game calculate your Strength as 30 when determining damage for a weapon with Strength scaling.

Important note:This bonus does not apply to Dexterity, Intelligence, Faith, or Arcane, even if the weapon also scales with those stats. It only affects Strength.

When Is Two Handing Worth It?

Two-handing a weapon is especially useful in the following scenarios:

1. When You’re Just Below Stat Requirements

If a weapon requires 30 Strength to wield one-handed, you only need 20 Strength to wield it effectively two-handed due to the 1.5x multiplier. This allows you to use heavier weapons earlier in the game without investing as many levels into Strength.

2. For Strength-Focused Builds

Two-handing is incredibly effective for pure Strength builds. Colossal weapons, greathammers, and ultra greatswords all benefit from the two-hand Strength boost. Combined with heavy infusions, you’ll see significant increases in raw damage.

3. Against Stagger-Prone Enemies

Two-handing increases poise damage, meaning you’re more likely to break enemy stances and perform critical ripostes. This is especially effective against:

• Humanoid enemies
• Shielded foes
• Smaller bosses and invaders

When Should You Avoid Two Handing?

While two-handing offers clear advantages, it isn’t always the best option.

1. When You Rely on Shields

You lose the ability to block efficiently with a shield while two-handing, making you vulnerable to fast enemies and multi-hit combos.

2. For Magic or Hybrid Builds

If your build relies on incantations, sorceries, or off-hand buffs, two-handing your weapon prevents quick access to casting. You’ll constantly need to swap hands, which can be clunky in combat.

3. For Dual-Wield Builds

If you’re running a powerstance dual-wield build, two-handing removes your off-hand weapon. Powerstancing offers higher DPS through L1 chain attacks, so two-handing would reduce output for dual-wield setups.

How Much More Damage Does Two Handing Actually Give?

The increase in damage varies depending on:

• The weapon’s Strength scaling
• Your base Strength stat
• Whether the weapon has been infused or upgraded
• Buffs (like Flame, Grant Me Strength)

Example:

Let’s say you’re using a Greatsword with:

• B scaling in Strength
• 20 base Strength

By two-handing it, your Strength is calculated as 30. That alone can result in 5–15% more AR (Attack Rating), depending on scaling efficiency.

The more your weapon leans on Strength for its damage, the more benefit you’ll gain.

Tip: Use the status screen or weapon details to view real-time changes in AR when toggling one-hand vs. two-hand — it updates live.

Two Handing and Weapon Arts (Skills)

Two-handing also affects Ashes of War and Weapon Skills:

• Some weapon skills perform differently or more efficiently while two-handed.
• It’s easier to chain attacks into skills, especially heavy slams, when your weapon is already in two-hand mode.
• However, blocking or parrying skills (like Barricade Shield or Parry) are inaccessible while two-handing.

For aggressive builds that focus on hyperarmor, stagger, or pressure, two-handing complements an offensive rhythm.

Does It Affect Guard Counter Damage?

Yes — but indirectly.

Two-handing itself doesn’t enable Guard Counters, since those require a shield block followed by an R2 (heavy attack). However, for weapons with innate high stagger, using heavy attacks with a two-handed weapon can mimic the pressure of guard counters — breaking enemies through sheer poise damage.

PvP Considerations

In PvP, two-handing is a double-edged sword:

Pros:

• Higher damage
• Faster animations than dual-wielding colossal weapons
• Increased stagger to break guard or hyperarmor

Cons:

• Leaves you vulnerable to parries (especially on predictable swings)
• No block options
• Easily punished if overcommitting

Still, in the right hands, a two-handed weapon can zone and trade effectively — especially in duels or invasions where timing and positioning matter most.

Final Verdict: Is Two Handing Worth It?

Two-handing in Elden Ring is absolutely worth it under the right circumstances — especially for Strength builds, colossal weapon users, and players looking to maximize stagger or damage output.

To summarize:

• Two-handing gives a 50% boost to Strength for damage scaling.
• It lets you use heavier weapons earlier, with lower Strength investment.
• You gain more damage, poise break, and access to unique move sets.
• You sacrifice defense, shield use, and some casting flexibility.

It’s not always the best choice — especially for hybrid builds or powerstance users — but for raw power and simplified combat flow, it remains one of the most effective techniques in Elden Ring.