Rolling is a dodge move that lets you slip away from blaster fire

Rolling in Star Wars Battlefront 2 is a quick sidestep that makes your character harder to hit. When you press the spacebar (on the default PC control scheme), your character performs a short dodge in the direction you're moving. If you're standing still or moving forward, the roll goes backward. If you're moving left or right, the roll goes in that direction.

The roll has a cooldown of about one second between uses, so you can't chain them endlessly. Each roll covers a short distance—roughly the length of a hallway—and it breaks line of sight for a moment, which can save you from a direct hit. The move works the same way for all character classes, though some heroes have their own unique dodge abilities that work differently.

Key Takeaways

  • Press spacebar to roll in the direction you're currently moving, or backward if you're standing still.
  • Rolling has a one-second cooldown, so you can't use it constantly but it recharges quickly.
  • The dodge is most useful when you see blaster fire coming at you or when you're caught in the open.
  • Some heroes like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker have their own dodge moves with different mechanics and cooldowns.

When to roll during firefights

Rolling works best when you're being shot at from a distance and have a moment to react. If you see red blaster bolts heading your way, a roll to the side can make the shot miss. In tight corridors or around corners, rolling backward while firing gives you space to retreat without turning your back completely.

Don't rely on rolling as your only defense. Blaster bolts travel fast, and if an enemy is already aiming at you, the roll might not get you out of the way in time. Rolling is most effective when combined with cover—use it to move between walls or obstacles, not as a way to stand in the open and dodge everything.

Rolling with different character classes

All four classes—Assault, Heavy, Officer, and Specialist—roll the same way and share the same cooldown timer. The difference is what you do before and after the roll. A Heavy trooper might roll to reposition a shield, while a Specialist uses the roll to break line of sight before taking a sniper shot.

Some classes have abilities that work better with rolling. The Officer's shield ability, for example, can be placed while you're mid-roll, and the Specialist's cloak lets you roll and then become invisible. Experiment with your class to see how rolling fits into your playstyle.

Rolling as a hero character

Heroes have their own dodge moves that replace the standard roll. Darth Vader's dodge is slower but covers more distance and has a longer cooldown. Luke Skywalker's Force Dash is faster and can be used more often. Blaster heroes like Han Solo and Leia have quick, short dodges similar to the trooper roll but with slightly different timing.

Check the ability description for each hero before you play them, because the dodge cooldown and distance vary. Some heroes also have abilities that trigger on dodge—for example, certain star cards can reduce ability cooldowns when you roll successfully.

Combining rolling with star cards

Star cards are upgrades that modify how your character plays, and some of them make rolling more useful. Cards like "Improved Dodging" reduce the cooldown between rolls, letting you chain them faster. Other cards reward you for dodging—for instance, some reduce the cooldown on your abilities when you successfully dodge incoming fire.

As you level up your classes, you unlock more star cards to equip. Early on, you might not have many options, but once you've played a few matches, you can customize your loadout to match your preferred playstyle. If you like rolling frequently, prioritize cards that reduce cooldown or reward dodging.

Common rolling mistakes

The biggest mistake is rolling too early or too late. If you roll before the enemy fires, you've wasted the move. If you roll after the bolt is already close, you might not move far enough. This timing comes with practice—watch where enemies are aiming and roll when you see them tracking you.

Another mistake is rolling into a corner or dead end. Always roll toward cover or an escape route, not deeper into a firefight. Rolling backward while retreating is usually safer than rolling forward into more enemies. Finally, don't assume rolling makes you invincible—grenades and area-of-effect abilities can still hit you mid-roll, so use it as part of a larger strategy, not as a panic button.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between rolling and sprinting?

Sprinting (holding Shift) makes you move faster in a straight line but doesn't dodge incoming fire. Rolling (spacebar) moves you a short distance to the side and breaks line of sight, but it's slower overall. Use sprinting to cross open ground quickly, and rolling when you're under fire and need to avoid shots.

Can I roll while aiming down sights?

No. You have to release aim before you roll. This is intentional—it prevents you from dodging while maintaining perfect accuracy. If you're aiming and see incoming fire, release aim, roll, and then re-aim.

Do I need to hold a direction to roll that way?

Yes. The roll goes in the direction your character is moving. If you're moving left and press spacebar, you roll left. If you're standing still, you roll backward. This is why positioning matters—always be moving toward cover or an escape route so your roll takes you somewhere safe.

Why does my roll sometimes feel like it doesn't work?

The most common reason is lag or server delay. If the server registered the enemy's shot before your roll input, you'll still take damage even though it looked like you dodged. This is normal in online games. The second reason is that you rolled too late—the bolt was already too close to avoid.