Swing Like a Pro: Mastering the Dodge in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (PS5 Tutorial)

The streets of New York are more dangerous than ever in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on PS5. As Peter Parker and Miles Morales face formidable new foes like Kraven and the terrifying Symbiotes, simply swinging around won't cut it. To survive the expanded open world and dominate combat, you need to master the fundamental move that keeps a Spider-Man alive: The Dodge.

This in-depth tutorial will not only show you how to dodge in Spider-Man 2 but also teach you the crucial difference between a standard dodge and the invaluable Perfect Dodge, transforming you from a clumsy webslinger into the nimble, untouchable hero NYC deserves.

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The Basics: How to Perform a Standard Dodge

At its core, dodging is your primary way to avoid damage in battle. Insomniac Games' combat system is all about flow, timing, and quick reflexes, and the dodge is the heart of that system.

The Control:

• Press the $\text{Circle}$ button ($\text{O}$) on your PS5 DualSense controller.

When to Dodge:

Your key indicator is the iconic Spider-Sense. Look for the spiky, curved symbol that appears over your Spider-Man’s head (Peter or Miles) during combat.

1. Spider-Sense Glows White: This is your initial warning, indicating an incoming attack that can be dodged or countered.

2. Press $\text{O}$ while the Spider-Sense is active to perform a standard dodge. Spider-Man will zip out of the way, creating a brief window to counter-attack or reposition.

Pro-Tip: If you are being targeted by gunfire or projectiles, you can continue to tap O to perform multiple quick dodges, keeping you moving and safe from a barrage of attacks.

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The Power Move: Achieving the Perfect Dodge

While a standard dodge saves your skin, the Perfect Dodge is what separates the novices from the web-slinging masters. Executing a Perfect Dodge rewards you with a moment of slow-motion and a massive tactical advantage.

The Technique:

• Watch for your Spider-Sense to turn a brilliant Red.

• Tap the $\text{Circle}$ button ($\text{O}$) just as the attack is about to connect and the Spider-Sense flashes red.

The window for a Perfect Dodge is small, but the reward is huge.

Perfect Dodge Benefits:

• Slow-Motion Effect: Time slows down briefly, allowing you to easily aim and unleash a counter-attack.

• Web Shot Opportunity: In the slow-motion window, enemies often get momentarily webbed. This sets them up perfectly for a Web-Strike ($\text{Triangle}$) or a quick combo.

• Maintain Combo Flow: It prevents the loss of your precious combo multiplier, which is essential for maximizing Focus gain and earning more XP.

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The Difference Maker: Dodge vs. Parry

New to Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is a dedicated Parry mechanic, and understanding the difference is vital for combat survival.

Mechanic	Button	Spider-Sense Color	Effect	Attacks to Use Against
Dodge / Perfect Dodge	Circle(O)	White / Red	Avoids damage, Perfect Dodge grants slow-motion/counter window.	Standard melee attacks, projectiles, and most orange/yellow attacks.
Parry / Perfect Parry	L1	Yellow / Blue (Heavy/Unblockable)	Stops the attack, stuns the enemy, and leaves them vulnerable.	Yellow/Red heavy melee attacks from Brutes/Bosses.

Key Takeaway: If the enemy attack is slow and highlighted with a flashing yellow/red Spider-Sense indicator that suggests a heavy blow (like a charging brute or a boss attack), you usually want to Parry ($\text{L1}$) instead of dodging. If the attack is fast or involves projectiles, stick to the Dodge ($\text{O}$).

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Advanced Dodging Techniques

Once you've nailed the standard and perfect dodge, you can integrate these techniques for ultimate effectiveness:

1. The Dodge Under

When a basic melee enemy swings, instead of just dodging sideways, you can perform a Dodge Under.

• Wait for the standard white Spider-Sense.

• Press $\text{Circle}$ ($\text{O}$) and push the left stick towards the enemy just as they swing. Spider-Man will duck right under their attack, often setting up a quick Square (□) attack from behind.

2. Settings for Success

Having trouble with the Perfect Dodge timing? The game offers accessibility options that can help:

• Navigate to Settings > Gameplay.

• Look for the Dodge / Parry Timing option. You can set this to Increased, which provides a slightly larger window for successful Perfect Dodges and Parries.

Final Web-Tip

The greatest challenge in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 combat is often the sheer volume of enemies. Don't be afraid to dodge multiple times to create space, or use a Web-Zip ($\text{X}$ + $\text{X}$) into the air to reposition and thin the herd. Practice the timing, watch that Spider-Sense like a hawk, and you’ll soon be effortlessly weaving through enemy attacks, proving why you are the greatest Spider-Man the city has ever seen.

Go get 'em, Spidey!