Elden Ring distinguishes itself from other contemporary RPGs due to its profound commitment to player sovereignty. The extensive and often enigmatic open world fosters a genuine sense of adventure and progression, encouraging players to unravel the game’s complexities. A key strength of Elden Ring lies in its extensive build customization options.
FromSoftware has consistently embraced diversity in gameplay, with each installment (save for Sekiro) providing players an assortment of distinct playstyles. Within Elden Ring, no Intelligence/Dexterity hybrid is truly complete without the powerful Moonveil, a katana that many consider the finest Intelligence-based weapon in the game.
Updated December 27, 2024 by Erik Petrovich: The gameplay dynamics surrounding the Moonveil Katana typically emphasize the combination of its swift and versatile attacks with potent spells, sidearms, talismans, and armor, all designed to amplify your effectiveness in combat. This guide details an optimal Moonveil build, including insights on weapon requirements, effective scaling, and the most advantageous sorceries.
Acquiring Moonveil and Its Functionality
Location and Specifications of Moonveil
Katana forged of glintstone.
Masterpiece of a Sellian swordsmith.
Light enwreathes the blade when sheathed, inspiring its Moonveil moniker.
Discovering the Moonveil Katana early in your Elden Ring journey is possible if you navigate correctly. From the Third Church of Marika, move north towards Caelid’s western entrance. Travel down the road until the marked telescope on your world map, then head directly west to access the Gael Tunnel.
Alternatively, look for an orange-tinted cave icon along the border of Limgrave and Caelid on your map. This symbol typically indicates caves abundant in crafting materials.
Once inside the Gael Tunnel, engage with Alexander to advance his questline then activate the Lost Grace. Proceed to the boss chamber and challenge the Magma Wyrm, who will drop the Moonveil Katana upon defeat.
Strategies for Defeating the Magma Wyrm
The Magma Wyrm presents a formidable challenge, reminiscent of the Gaping Dragon from Dark Souls due to its movement patterns. Notably, its charge attack sows lava across the arena. To evade, sprint at a 90-degree angle from the charge direction rather than rolling.
While the monster struggles to turn swiftly, be alert as its hitbox for stomps and lava is conspicuously broad. Counterattack during brief openings after avoiding sweeps using invincibility frames, aiming for rapid strikes when feasible. Although challenging—particularly for magic users—the encounter is manageable.
Specifications of Moonveil
The Moonveil Katana is equipped with the Transient Moonlight Ash of War, granting two unique magical assaults upon entering a stance. A light attack unleashes a horizontal beam of magic, while a charged heavy attack launches a vertical slice over a considerable distance. Both attacks inflict substantial damage, making them advantageous against both clusters of foes and solitary adversaries.
While Moonveil can inflict Bleed damage, it does not enhance with Arcane scaling. Its effectiveness hinges mainly on Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence, with a primary focus on Intelligence.
| Damage and Types | Scaling | Level Requirements | Ash of War | Weight | Other Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 73 Physical, 87 Magic | Slash and Pierce | STR: E | DEX: D | INT: C | STR: 12 | DEX: 18 | INT: 23 | Transient Moonlight (15 FP) | 6.5 | Bleed buildup on hit |
Optimal Stat Allocation for Moonveil
Focus on enhancing Dexterity and Intelligence, with some investment in Arcane.
The Moonveil Katana thrives on a build that emphasizes Dexterity and Intelligence, merging close-range combat with mid-range spellcasting. The distinctive Transient Moonlight Ash allows for potent magical strikes that scale effectively with the weapon. To wield Moonveil, players must allocate at least 18 Dexterity, 12 Strength, and 23 Intelligence, which is relatively manageable given its formidable scaling.
Dexterity not only enhances damage for Dexterity-based weapons but also reduces spellcasting times.
| Vigor | Mind | Endurance | Strength | Dexterity | Intelligence | Faith | Arcane |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 20 | 12 | 12 | 40 | 45 | 10 | 11 |
Maintaining high Vigor is crucial for survival in Elden Ring, so prioritize this stat as you level up. A Mind stat allows you to unleash the Ash of War effectively without exhausting your FP. Aiming for a 40 in Dexterity and 45 in Intelligence leverages the weapon’s scaling efficiency.
Avoid investing in Arcane for this build, as it does not affect the Bleed buildup, which remains at a low 50 damage per hit and lacks scaling with Arcane.
Suggested Sorceries for the Moonveil Build
The most effective sorceries to accompany the Moonveil Katana are those that compensate for its limitations or enhance its combat capabilities. Notably, Magic Glintblade serves as a valuable asset, allowing users to synchronize their melee incursions with spell effects.
Area-of-effect spells such as Rotten Breath or Meteorite Sorcery significantly enhance your build, though they may demand more meticulous stat configurations. The classic Rock Sling is also highly recommended, providing formidable posture-breaking capabilities through physical damage, thus setting up opportunities for follow-up strikes.
With Magic Glintblade and Rock Sling in your arsenal, you’ll significantly enhance your Moonveil build. Casting Magic Glintblade prior to combat or during pauses can provide strategic advantages, while Rock Sling is perfect for staggering foes resistant to magic.
Companion Weapons for Moonveil Builds
When engaging with the Moonveil, a secondary katana stands out as the optimal sidearm. By utilizing the Powerstancing mechanic, players can trade defense for enhanced damage, effectively doubling standard damage outputs.
Consider pairing Moonveil with another Intelligence-scaling katana like Meteorite Blade to optimize your capabilities, or traditional options such as Rivers of Blood or the Hand of Malenia for their Bleed potential.
Even a basic Uchigatana or Wakizashi can serve effectively until you acquire advanced katanas. Ensure that Moonveil is wielded in your right hand to access the Transient Moonlight Ash of War.
Top Talismans to Enhance Moonveil
The Moonveil build thrives on nimbleness and rapid strike potential, underlining the importance of talismans that complement this style. The Winged Sword Insignia and Warrior Shard are critical for amplifying damage from both standard and special attacks, while the Carian Filigree Crest reduces FP usage and boosts attack power against bleeding enemies.
Pairing the Warrior Jar Shard and Shard of Alexander will significantly elevate damage output for weapon skills and Ashes of War. The Godfrey Icon offers additional enhancements for charged spells and skills, making these combinations essential for maximizing Moonveil’s combat potential.
Ideal Armor Choices for Moonveil
Your choice of armor while wielding Moonveil is a matter of personal style; however, lighter armor tends to enhance the aesthetic appeal of this katana. Consider the Preceptor’s Gown (Altered), which has a flowing design akin to a black Gi, though the classic Land of Reeds armor remains a viable option.
For those aspiring to a traditional Japanese aesthetic, attention to facial customization could even allow you to roleplay as the One-Armed Wolf from Sekiro.
Another commendable armor choice for the Moonveil build is the Carian Knight set. This iconic attire resonates with the capability of the Moonveil Katana, merging great looks with functional design as you navigate Elden Ring.
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