20 Best Dodge-Rolls In Gaming (Yes, Really)

Dodge-rolls are simple on the surface but they power entire combat systems under the hood. They grant brief invulnerability, repositioning, and animation cancels that keep fights readable and fair. Developers tune timing windows, stamina costs, and recovery frames so each game’s roll feels distinct. Here are standout implementations that show how flexible and teachable this single move can be across genres.

‘Enter the Gungeon’

The signature dodge roll grants brief invulnerability at the start of the move, letting players pass through bullets cleanly. Positioning after the roll matters because the final frames leave the character vulnerable again. The game teaches timing by forcing players to cross overlapping bullet patterns without relying on shields. Mastery comes from chaining rolls with short weapon reloads so movement and fire never compete.

‘Dark Souls’

The roll’s invulnerability frames scale with equip load which ties mobility to gear choices. Players who stay under key thresholds gain longer protection and greater travel distance. Stamina consumption encourages measured use because rolling without stamina risks a punishable recovery. Many attacks can be cancelled into a roll which lets players adapt mid animation rather than committing fully.

‘Bloodborne’

Locking on turns the roll into a quickstep that favors lateral movement around enemies. Rally mechanics reward immediate counterattacks after a successful evade by restoring lost health. Firearms can interrupt foes right after a quickstep which adds a clean opening for visceral attacks. The system promotes aggressive spacing rather than backing away.

‘Elden Ring’

Multiple roll types exist through equipment choices and talismans which let players tailor speed and invulnerability. The game reads inputs leniently so buffered rolls fire as soon as recovery ends. Spirit Ashes and mounted combat change timings which encourages recalibrating dodge habits per encounter. Late game bosses test spacing by combining delayed swings and multi hit strings that require varied roll directions.

‘Bayonetta’

A timely dodge triggers Witch Time which slows the world and creates large punish windows. The move cancels out of most attacks so players can bait and evade without losing momentum. Different enemies alter how long Witch Time lasts which nudges players to learn individual timings. Accessories and skills expand dodge options to maintain offense while avoiding damage.

‘Hades’

The dash acts as a roll with brief invulnerability and can be enhanced with boons. Some boons add damage or afterimages which make mobility part of offense. Boss patterns are designed around double dash spacing so players learn to chain movement through hazards. Keepsakes and Daedalus upgrades let each weapon mix evasion with special attacks in distinct ways.

‘Dead Cells’

The roll travels through enemies which enables backstabs and critical windows. Cooldown and distance change with gear affixes so the move scales alongside weapons. Many traps and projectiles can be negated only with precise evasion which reinforces pattern study. The move also breaks fall momentum so platforming and combat share the same tool.

‘Monster Hunter: World’

Evasion relies on stamina and recovery positioning because monsters track direction changes. Skills can extend invulnerability during rolls which shifts armor building toward mobility when desired. Items like mantles and environmental slopes interact with dodges to create escape routes. Monsters telegraph with long windups that teach when to roll versus when to sheathe and sprint.

‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’

Geralt has a short sidestep and a longer roll which serve different ranges. The roll covers space while the sidestep keeps him in striking distance for counters. Stamina gates frequent use and signs can be woven in during recovery to maintain pressure. Enemy archetypes encourage different choices so humans favor sidesteps and large beasts suggest rolling away.

‘Nioh’

Evasion ties to Ki and stance which changes speed and follow ups. Ki Pulse lets players recover energy immediately after a dodge to stay on offense. Some enemies track mid roll so direction changes and stance swaps become essential. Equipment weight and agility ratings noticeably affect travel distance and recovery.

‘God of War’

The roll includes a quick get up that resets Kratos into a guard ready stance. Colored attack indicators communicate which moves require a dodge rather than a block. Invulnerability is tuned to pass through wide tracking swings but still demands proper direction. Timing windows are consistent across weapon stances which keeps the learnings transferable.

‘Remnant II’

Dodging depends on encumbrance so loadouts change roll speed and distance. iFrames are generous at low weight which rewards lighter armor builds. The game uses projectile heavy enemies that push players to roll through shots rather than away. Archetype perks and rings can extend invulnerability or generate resources on perfect evades.

‘Warframe’

Rolling grants brief damage reduction and a small hitbox change which softens chip damage. The move cancels many abilities so frames can reposition without losing uptime. Parkour 2.0 ties rolls into slides and bullet jumps so evasion flows with traversal. Mods and arcanes further alter recovery and distance for specialized builds.

‘Returnal’

The dash grants invulnerability to hazards and many melee swipes but not to certain beam types. Cooldown is short which supports weaving attacks between evades. Level geometry and enemy projectiles create lanes that reward diagonal dashes through patterns. Parasites and artifacts can modify the dash to heal or amplify damage after clean evasions.

‘Control’

Evade unlocks as a core ability and rapidly upgrades into longer distance movement. The move cancels out of levitation which allows midair repositioning to avoid ground hazards. Enemy archetypes force varied timing because some projectiles curve while others burst on impact. Mods can reduce cooldown so fights become about rhythmically slipping between volleys.

‘Tunic’

The roll consumes stamina and ends with a small vulnerable recovery which teaches safe spacing. A shield is available but rolling often proves more efficient against sweeping attacks. Equipment upgrades subtly shorten recovery which rewards exploration with smoother evasions. Boss arenas are shaped to keep clear roll lanes open for learning patterns.

‘Salt and Sanctuary’

Heavy encumbrance shortens invulnerability and increases recovery which mirrors classic action RPG tuning. The roll passes through enemies which turns backstabs and counters into reliable options. Elemental hazards and traps are built around single roll gaps that teach precise timing. Class choices and gear allow both nimble and tanky approaches with clear tradeoffs.

‘Hyper Light Drifter’

The chain dash functions as a rapid roll with strict rhythm timing. Mastery unlocks longer sequences that cross arenas and reposition behind enemies. Invulnerability aligns with the initial frames which encourages early input, not late panic presses. The game uses clean telegraphs so players can read when to dash through rather than away.

‘Lies of P’

Early mechanics start with a modest dodge then expand through upgrades that improve invulnerability. Perfect Guard sits alongside dodge which creates meaningful defensive choices per attack. P organ enhancements and amulets can shorten recovery or add utility after evasion. Boss patterns often combine delayed swings that test patience and directional rolls.

‘Resident Evil 3’

The remake features a perfect dodge that triggers a slow motion aim window on precise timing. Standard evasion still moves Jill out of grabs and rush attacks without consuming ammo. Enemies telegraph lunges clearly so players can practice the timing on common foes before boss arenas. The system rewards confidence by linking a clean dodge to immediate counterfire.

Share your favorite examples of well designed dodge-rolls in the comments and tell us which ones taught you the most.