Torrent is not just a horse. He is your escape plan, your damage multiplier, and sometimes the only reason a bad decision does not end in a rune-shaped crater. Once you stop treating him like a taxi and start treating him like part of your build, the game opens up in smarter and less painful ways.
Below is a practical, no nonsense guide to getting the most out of Elden Ring’s mount, written from the perspective of someone who absolutely learned some of these lessons the hard way.
Why Torrent Changes How You Play
Torrent rewrites the rules of movement. Sprinting costs nothing, terrain stops being an obstacle, and verticality suddenly matters. Open world encounters are clearly designed with mounted play in mind, especially early field bosses and roaming enemies that punish slow footwork.
The biggest shift is mental. On foot you trade blows. On Torrent you control space. Once that clicks, a lot of fights become calmer and far more survivable.
Mounted Combat Fundamentals That Actually Matter
Mounted combat looks chaotic but it is very deliberate. Light attacks swing from one side only, so positioning is everything. If you circle clockwise, your right-side weapon connects cleanly. Circle the wrong way and you just air-slice like a fool.
Heavy attacks are slower but hit harder and often stagger enemies that laugh at light swings. They shine during straight passes rather than tight circles.
Lock-on is situational. Against big targets it helps. Against packs or fast humanoids it often works against you. Free aim gives better control of spacing and lets you disengage instantly.
Using Speed Instead of Defence
Torrent does not block, parry, or politely wait for enemies to finish their combo. His defence is movement. Sprinting costs no stamina, which means constant repositioning is encouraged.
Hit once or twice, disengage, reset, repeat. If you stay planted you will get clipped. If you keep moving, most enemies never touch you.
Jumping is also underrated. A well-timed jump clears shockwaves, low sweeps, and ground slams that look unavoidable on foot. If an attack feels unfair, try vertical space before assuming it is broken.
Field Bosses Are Designed for the Saddle
Tree Sentinels, Night’s Cavalry, dragons, and roaming giants all telegraph attacks that punish stationary players. Mounted combat lets you bait, strike, and escape before retaliation lands.
Dragons in particular become manageable once you stay near the legs, strike during breath recovery, then sprint away before the tail reminds you why fear exists.
If a boss feels oppressive early on, chances are Torrent is the intended solution rather than brute force levelling.
Healing, Dismounting, and Not Panicking
You can heal on Torrent without stopping. Use this constantly. There is no reason to tank hits just to save a flask.
Forced dismounts are dangerous but predictable. When Torrent takes too much damage, be ready to roll the moment you hit the ground. Panic rolling usually gets you killed. One clean dodge and a remount often resets the fight.
Keep a few Crimson Flasks in reserve for Torrent himself. Reviving him mid-fight costs a flask anyway, so planning ahead saves resources and stress.
Torrent and Exploration Efficiency
Torrent turns exploration into momentum. You can grab items at full sprint, jump gaps that look decorative but hide upgrades, and outrun ambushes that would otherwise chip away your flasks.
Spirit Springs are not just shortcuts. They often mark routes the designers expect you to use. If you see one, assume there is something worth finding at the top.
Stealth also works while mounted. Slow riding reduces noise, which lets you bypass groups without triggering every enemy within a postcode.
Weapon Choices That Shine on Horseback
Long reach weapons feel incredible on Torrent. Spears, halberds, curved greatswords, and some colossal weapons dominate mounted combat thanks to wide arcs and generous hitboxes.
Short weapons can work but demand cleaner positioning. If your weapon keeps whiffing, it is not a skill issue. It is geometry.
Spells are mixed. Some sorceries are excellent for drive-by casting, others root you in place long enough to get launched into the dirt. Test before committing.
When to Get Off the Horse
Not every fight wants Torrent. Tight interiors, cramped ruins, and enemies with fast tracking often favour on-foot precision.
The real skill is knowing when to dismount. Torrent is a tool, not a crutch. Use him where space exists and abandon him when control matters more than speed.
Final Thoughts on Mastering Torrent
Torrent rewards confidence without recklessness. He gives you freedom, but only if you stay mobile and think in arcs rather than straight lines.
Once mounted combat stops feeling like a gimmick and starts feeling intentional, Elden Ring’s open world finally makes sense. Also, you will die less, which is always a nice bonus.
Watch the fuide:
