Motion Values (MVs) represent the hidden numerical multipliers assigned to every specific attack animation in Elden Ring. While the game prominently displays Attack Rating (AR) in the character menu, this number is rarely the actual damage dealt to an enemy. Instead, Motion Values act as the bridge between a weapon's theoretical power and its practical output, dictating why a slow, heavy swing deals significantly more damage than a quick poke from the same weapon.

Underlying Mechanics of Motion Values

In the fundamental logic of Elden Ring’s combat engine, every button press—whether it is a light attack, a charged heavy attack, or a rolling poke—calls upon a specific Motion Value. These values are essentially percentages. An MV of 100 equates to 100% of the weapon's Attack Rating being used as the base for the damage calculation. If a specific heavy attack has an MV of 150, it utilizes 150% of the AR.

This system allows developers to balance weapon archetypes. For instance, a Dagger may have high attack speed but low MVs (often around 50–100 per hit), whereas a Colossal Sword may have lower speed but massive MVs (ranging from 150 to over 200). This ensures that the risk of performing a slow, telegraphed move is rewarded with a proportional increase in damage.

The Role of Motion Values in Damage Calculation

To understand the impact of Motion Values, one must look at how they interact with the game’s complex defense formulas. Damage is not simply a matter of subtraction. The simplified formula for damage dealt is:

Final Damage ≈ (Attack Rating × Motion Value) - Enemy Defense

However, Elden Ring utilizes a non-linear defense curve. When the product of (AR × MV) is only slightly higher than an enemy’s flat defense, the damage is heavily mitigated. This is where Motion Values become critical for "breaking through" enemy armor. High MV attacks, such as charged R2s or jumping heavy attacks, push the "Attack Power" significantly above the enemy's defense threshold, resulting in a much higher percentage of that damage passing through to the health bar.

Split Damage Considerations

Motion Values are particularly important for weapons with split damage (e.g., a sword dealing both Physical and Magic damage). Each damage type is processed through the enemy’s respective defenses separately. Because MVs apply to each damage type, a low MV attack on a split-damage weapon might be mitigated twice by defense, whereas a high MV attack can ensure both damage types overcome the defense floors.

Categorical Breakdown of Attack Motion Values

Not all attacks are created equal. Different types of movement and inputs yield different multipliers. While specific numbers vary by weapon class, general patterns emerge across the Lands Between.

Light Attack Chains (R1/RB)

Light attacks usually follow a sequence. In many weapon classes, the MV increases slightly with each subsequent hit in the combo. For example, a straight sword might have a sequence like 100, 102, 105, and 110. This encourages players to commit to a full combo rather than just "poke and run."

Heavy and Charged Attacks (R2/RT)

Heavy attacks typically start at an MV of 120–130. Charging the attack increases this value significantly, often reaching 170–190. Beyond raw damage, charged attacks also possess significantly higher MVs for poise damage, making them the primary tool for staggering bosses.

Jumping Attacks

Jumping attacks have dominated the Elden Ring meta since launch, largely due to their favorable MVs. A jumping heavy attack (Jump R2) often has an MV comparable to a fully charged standing R2 but with a much faster execution time and better gap-closing capability. For colossal weapons, the jumping R2 MV is often the most efficient way to trade damage.

Critical Hits: Backstabs and Ripostes

Critical hits utilize the highest MVs in the game. Weapons like the Misericorde are prized specifically because they combine a high "Critical" stat with massive MVs for riposte animations. In these cases, the MV can exceed 300 or 400, multiplied further by the weapon's critical modifier, explaining how a tiny dagger can out-damage a giant hammer during a critical strike.

Motion Values for Poise and Stamina Damage

Motion Values are not limited to HP reduction. They also dictate how much "Poise Damage" and "Stamina Damage" an attack deals.

  1. Poise Damage (Stagger): Every enemy has a hidden poise meter. A light attack might have a Poise MV of 5, while a charged heavy attack from the same weapon might have a Poise MV of 30. This is why certain attacks can stance-break a boss in two hits while others take ten.
  2. Stamina Consumption: Higher damage MVs usually correlate with higher stamina cost MVs. Heavier attacks require more resources, forcing a tactical trade-off between burst damage and sustained pressure.

Status Effect Build-up and Motion Values

A common misconception is that status effects like Bleed, Frost, or Poison apply the same amount of build-up regardless of the attack used. In reality, Elden Ring utilizes "Status MVs."

Multi-hit attacks (such as the Whirlwind Slash Ash of War or certain paired weapon moves) often have Status MVs lower than 100% per hit. This prevents fast-hitting weapons from triggering status effects instantly. Conversely, a single heavy blow from a Greatsword might have a Status MV of 100% or higher, applying the full listed build-up of the weapon in one go.

Unique Weapons with Custom Motion Values

While most weapons follow the standard MV tables for their class (e.g., all Straight Swords sharing similar multipliers), FromSoftware has assigned unique MVs to specific legendary or "special" weapons to give them a distinct feel.

  • Bloodhound's Fang: This weapon features a unique curved greatsword moveset with slightly higher MVs on its jumping attacks and a highly specialized MV for its follow-up skill attack.
  • Wing of Astel: The heavy attack (R2) of this curved sword fires a magic projectile. The projectile and the physical swing have separate MVs, allowing for devastating damage if the player hits the enemy with both simultaneously.
  • Cinquedea: While it is a dagger, its MVs are tuned to favor its unique role in beast incantation builds, often feeling "weightier" than a standard parrying dagger.

Why Should Players Care About Motion Values?

Understanding MVs shifts the focus from simply looking at the "AR" number to looking at "DPS" and "Burst" efficiency.

  • Optimizing Damage Windows: If a boss stays still for 2 seconds, is it better to land three R1s or one charged R2? By comparing the total MVs of these sequences, a player can determine the most efficient use of that time.
  • Weapon Choice for Criticals: If you primarily play a parry-focused style, the AR of the weapon is less important than the MV of its riposte. This is why players carry a "dagger swap" specifically for critical hits.
  • Stance Breaking Strategy: For players aiming to stance-break bosses, knowing which attacks have high Poise MVs (typically jumping R2s and charged R2s) is more valuable than knowing the raw physical damage.

Common Questions Regarding Elden Ring Motion Values

Do Motion Values change when two-handing a weapon?

Yes. Two-handing a weapon (2H) does two things: it increases your effective Strength by 50% (affecting AR) and it switches the weapon to a 2H moveset, which generally features higher MVs than the 1H moveset. This is why 2H damage is significantly higher than the 1.5x Strength bonus alone would suggest.

Are Motion Values the same in PvP and PvE?

Generally, the base MVs are the same, but Elden Ring uses separate "PvP Scaling" multipliers. These act as an additional layer on top of the MV to reduce or increase the effectiveness of certain attacks (like jumping attacks or specific Ashes of War) when hitting another player versus an NPC.

Do Ashes of War have Motion Values?

Absolutely. Every Ash of War has its own set of MVs. Some skills, like "Lion's Claw," have massive MVs (often over 200) and huge poise multipliers, which is what makes them so effective for trading hits.

Does upgrading a weapon change its Motion Values?

No. Upgrading a weapon increases its base damage and scaling (AR), but the Motion Values (the percentage multipliers) remain constant. A +0 Longsword and a +25 Longsword use the same MVs for their R1 attacks.

Summary of Motion Value Principles

In Elden Ring, Motion Values are the "secret sauce" that defines the rhythm of combat. They ensure that every move has a specific purpose, balancing the speed of daggers with the crushing weight of colossal hammers. By moving beyond the surface-level Attack Rating and considering the hidden multipliers of each action, players can master the game's mechanics, choosing the right attack for the right moment to maximize damage, status build-up, and stance pressure. Whether it is the 400+ MV of a critical riposte or the subtle 102 MV of a second light attack, these numbers are what truly dictate the fate of the Tarnished in the Lands Between.