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Dark Moon Greatsword — TarnishedGuide

Greatsword

Overview

The Dark Moon Greatsword is the iconic Moonlight Greatsword of Elden Ring, granted by Ranni at the end of her extensive questline. This Intelligence-scaling greatsword fires frost-infused magic projectiles with its heavy attacks and charged R2s, making it a phenomenal hybrid melee-caster weapon. The weapon skill buffs the blade with additional magic damage and frost buildup, turning every swing into a ranged frost beam. For detailed lore and stat information, visit the Elden Ring Fandom Wiki and Wikipedia's Elden Ring page.

Stats & Scaling

Requires STR 16, DEX 11, INT 38. At max upgrade (+10 Somber), scaling becomes STR D, DEX D, INT B.

StatRequirementMax Scaling
STR16D
DEX11D
INT38B
FAI0-
ARC0-

How to Get Dark Moon Greatsword

  1. Begin Ranni's questline at Ranni's Rise in Caria Manor (Liurnia of the Lakes). Speak to Ranni and agree to serve her.
  2. Complete her quest chain: find Blaidd in Siofra River, retrieve the Fingerslayer Blade from Nokron, and deliver it to Ranni.
  3. Defeat the Baleful Shadow invasion near the Lake of Rot and obtain the Discarded Palace Key.
  4. Use the key to open the chest in the Grand Library of Raya Lucaria to get the Dark Moon Ring.
  5. Progress to the Cathedral of Manus Caelis, enter the divine tower, place the ring on Ranni's corpse, and receive the Dark Moon Greatsword.

Moveset & Skill

Moonlight Greatsword (20 FP, 5 FP per swing)

Activating the skill buffs the sword with frost magic for 60 seconds. During the buff, charged heavy attacks fire a frost beam projectile that travels a long distance, deals magic damage, and builds frostbite. The buff also increases the sword's magic damage component and adds frost buildup to all attacks. The projectiles cost 5 FP each but deal exceptional damage per FP spent.

Best Builds

Intelligence Build

INT 80 — Max magic damage, Moonveil as secondary, full sorcery arsenal

Spellblade Build

INT 60 / DEX 30 — Hybrid physical-magic with Carian Regal Scepter off-hand

Frost Mage Build

INT 70 — Pair with Icecrag and Adula's Moonblade for chain frost procs

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Ranged frost beam on charged attacks — excellent kiting tool
  • Frost buildup adds %-based damage on proc
  • High magic damage with low FP cost per projectile
  • Incredible weapon for both PvE and PvP

Cons

  • High INT requirement (38) locks out non-mage builds
  • Requires completing Ranni's entire questline — lengthy process
  • Split physical/magic damage faces two defense layers
  • Frostbite less effective against bosses immune to frost

Pro Tip

The Dark Moon Greatsword's charged R2 projectiles can hit enemies from surprisingly far away. Use them to snipe enemies before they aggro, or to maintain safe distance against bosses. The projectile also pierces through multiple enemies in a line.