Diablo 4 introduces some new mechanics to change up the typical Diablo formula. In addition to the introduction of the Rogue class, class-specific features like Enchantments, and the open world setting, Diablo 4 gives players a new combat ability that completely changes how encounters can be approached: the Evade ability.
Evading in Diablo 4 is as important as any other ability on the hotbar because it's a way to create space and avoid damage. The game is designed around this new mechanic, so returning players and newcomers alike can improve their gameplay a lot by learning how to dodge effectively in Diablo 4.
Evade Is New – And Important – in Diablo 4
The Evade mechanic is a new one to Diablo 4, but avoiding enemies and dodging attacks has always been a part of the games' combat formula in one way or another – the Sorceress' Teleport skill is one of many abilities that are often used for evasion in the other games. But in Diablo 4, there's a dedicated button for dodging for all classes, and it's very useful for boss encounters and for getting out of tight corners.
Players who are used to I-frames of the Souls series may be sad to learn that the Evade mechanic of Diablo 4 does not work the same way. When a player Evades, they can still be hit by any attacks they collide with, though Evade will phase them through enemies themselves. Time your Evades to get out of the way of attacks, not dodge through them, to make proper use of this ability.
How To Dodge in Diablo 4
By default, to Evade, players must press the Space button on PC, the B button on Xbox, or the Circle button on PlayStation. The Evade ability will go on cooldown, and the player's character will zoom a short distance in the direction they are facing. When Evading, players don't collide with enemies, so it's useful for being able to escape from a corner.
After five seconds, if players don't have equipment that modifies the ability, Evade will come off cooldown and be usable again. Different Boots will give a variety of buffs to Evade, including more charges, a Movement Speed buff when it's used, and cooldown reduction based on attacks.
As a core mechanic in Diablo 4, Evading is something players should get to know intimately – at higher World Tiers, knowing the ins and outs of the Evade ability is essential to push further into Diablo 4's endgame without getting hit by everything that comes the player's way.
Diablo 4 is available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S