U4GM - How to Master Sprinting Attacks in Elden Ring Combat
Sprinting attacks in Elden Ring are among the most effective yet underutilized tools in a Tarnished’s combat repertoire. With the right execution, these attacks can close distance swiftly, catch enemies off-guard, and deliver powerful hits that interrupt casting or guard breaks. After hundreds of hours battling through the Lands Between, I've come to rely heavily on sprinting attacks, especially in PvP and aggressive PvE encounters.
If you're looking to elevate your melee game, mastering this technique is a must. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to do just that — with insights from personal experience and practical tips that will give you the edge you need.
Understanding Sprinting Attacks
Sprinting attacks are performed by holding down the run button (Circle on PlayStation, B on Xbox) and pressing the light or heavy attack button during a sprint. The resulting move differs by weapon type:
Straight Swords perform a quick stab or slash.
Greatswords unleash a powerful lunge.
Spears deliver thrusts with extended reach.
Fist weapons execute leaping punches that can stagger foes.
The key advantage lies in momentum. Sprinting attacks are faster than most charge-ups and can’t be easily predicted, making them ideal for initiating combat or catching evasive enemies.
When to Use Sprinting Attacks
Sprinting attacks are particularly useful in these scenarios:
Gap Closing: When you need to rush an enemy archer, caster, or retreating player.
Punishing Recovery Frames: Enemies that just whiffed a swing or cast are wide open — sprint in and punish.
Surprise in PvP: Mixing up your approach with sprinting attacks disrupts your opponent’s rhythm.
Hit-and-Run Tactics: For light builds, sprint in, attack, then dodge or retreat.
In my own playthrough, I used a Bloodhound’s Fang build, and sprinting R2 attacks often let me close in and land a massive bleed-inducing strike before my opponent could react.
Best Weapons for Sprinting Attacks
While every weapon class has its merits, some truly shine when sprinting:
Curved Greatswords: Their sprinting heavy attack can hit hard and cause knockdown.
Katanas: Fast, precise, and effective in PvP due to bleed build-up.
Thrusting Swords and Spears: Excellent reach and speed.
Daggers: While low in raw damage, their quick sprinting pokes are great for status effect builds.
Before diving deep into sprinting combat, make sure you’ve properly upgraded your gear — and that means farming and investing in the right resources like Elden Ring Runes to enhance your stats and weapon capabilities.
Stamina and Timing
A common mistake is sprinting blindly into an attack without watching your stamina. If you exhaust your bar, you're left vulnerable. From my experience, always leave enough stamina to dodge or block after the sprint attack. Timing is also crucial — don't spam it. Learn enemy patterns and sprint in when you know they're open.
Combining with Ashes of War
Some Ashes of War synergize perfectly with sprinting attacks:
Bloodhound’s Step: Pairing this with sprinting gives you unmatched agility.
Flaming Strike: Apply elemental buff mid-fight and follow up with a sprinting slash.
Lion’s Claw: Great for heavy weapons, especially if you combo a sprint into a roll then use this flip attack.
These combinations work wonders in high-level invasions and late-game boss fights.
PvP Application
In PvP, sprinting attacks shine when mixed with feints. Run at your opponent, but don’t always attack — sometimes stop short and roll to bait a reaction. Other times, use a sprinting R1 into a quick R2 or guard counter. The unpredictability is what makes this technique deadly.
When preparing for duels or invasions, you'll need to be fully stocked. If you're short on resources, it's worth checking elden ring runes for sale to ensure you're well-equipped with the levels and gear to match your skill.
Final Thoughts
Sprinting attacks are more than just flashy openers — they’re a core part of an advanced Elden Ring combat style that rewards aggression, precision, and smart stamina management. Personally, I found that integrating them into my build not only improved my performance but also made fights more dynamic and exciting.
So lace up those spectral boots, practice those charges, and take advantage of the speed and power that sprinting attacks bring to the battlefield. Whether you’re slaying demi-gods or outmaneuvering duelists, mastering this technique can be the difference between victory and defeat.