How to Unlock the Moonlight Greatsword in FromSoftware Games
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The Moonlight Greatsword, also known by various other names across different FromSoftware titles like the Holy Moonlight Sword or Ludwig’s Holy Blade, is a recurring weapon renowned for its beautiful blue glow and devastating magic-infused attacks. Unlocking it usually involves specific, often challenging, conditions tied to key boss encounters or character storylines. Generally, obtaining it requires fulfilling certain requirements tied to defeating a pivotal boss or completing specific NPC questlines. This article details how to obtain it in several prominent FromSoftware games.
Unlocking the Moonlight Greatsword: A Breakdown
The method for unlocking the Moonlight Greatsword varies significantly from game to game. However, a common theme involves dealing the final blow to a specific boss under a specific condition. This is almost always a challenging fight requiring mastery of the game’s combat mechanics. Here’s how to obtain it in several key games:
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Demon’s Souls (Remake): After defeating the Fool’s Idol and obtaining the Pureblood Demon’s Soul, trade it to Blacksmith Ed after giving him the Red Hot Demon’s Soul. This unlocks the ability to craft the Blueblood Sword from a Broken Sword with 8 Luck. While not technically a greatsword, it’s the spiritual equivalent.
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Dark Souls: The Moonlight Greatsword is acquired by defeating Seath the Scaleless in the Crystal Cave. To get the sword, you need to destroy the Primordial Crystal that makes him invulnerable, and then, most importantly, sever his tail during the fight. Focus your attacks on the tail until it’s destroyed, and the sword will be yours. This is often considered one of the trickier tail cuts to achieve in the Dark Souls series.
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Dark Souls II: In Dark Souls II, the weapon that mirrors the Moonlight Greatsword is the Moonlight Greatsword. It’s obtained by defeating the Duke’s Dear Freja boss on New Game Plus (NG+). To get it to drop, you need to have a Respec item consumed so that you are hollowed out and you must be wielding the Moonlight Greatsword during the fight.
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Bloodborne: Ludwig’s Holy Blade, the Moonlight Greatsword‘s counterpart in Bloodborne, is acquired much earlier. You can find it on a corpse in the Healing Church Workshop, accessible after defeating the Cleric Beast and interacting with the skull in the Cathedral Ward. This weapon is not dropped by a boss but found during exploration.
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Dark Souls III: The Moonlight Greatsword, officially named the Greatsword of Judgment in Dark Souls III, is obtained by defeating Oceiros, the Consumed King. The sword is automatically added to your inventory upon defeating the boss, making it a straightforward acquisition compared to other games in the series.
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Elden Ring: The Moonlight Greatsword appears as the Dark Moon Greatsword in Elden Ring and is obtained by completing Ranni the Witch’s lengthy and intricate questline. This quest spans multiple regions and involves numerous boss fights and interactions with key NPCs. At the quest’s conclusion, the sword will be bestowed upon you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the Moonlight Greatsword always a Greatsword?
No, the Moonlight Greatsword is not always classified as a greatsword. For example, the Blueblood Sword in the Demon’s Souls remake is a straight sword that scales with luck. The Ludwig’s Holy Blade in Bloodborne is more of a trick weapon that can switch between a straight sword and a greatsword form. However, across the majority of games, it does take the form of a greatsword or an ultra greatsword.
2. Does the Moonlight Greatsword always deal magic damage?
Yes, a defining characteristic of the Moonlight Greatsword across all games is its ability to deal magic damage, often in conjunction with physical damage. The weapon’s attacks are typically infused with a shimmering, ethereal blue energy, signifying its magical properties. This makes it particularly effective against enemies weak to magic.
3. Can I upgrade the Moonlight Greatsword?
Yes, the Moonlight Greatsword can be upgraded in all games where it appears. The upgrade materials vary depending on the game, but they often involve rare ores or stones. Upgrading enhances both the physical and magical damage output of the sword, making it an even more formidable weapon.
4. Is the Moonlight Greatsword always a late-game weapon?
Yes, across the board, the Moonlight Greatsword is almost always considered a late-game weapon, requiring significant progress through the game to unlock. This is due to the challenging boss fights or complex questlines required to obtain it. Bloodborne offers an exception with Ludwig’s Holy Blade being accessible earlier, though arguably not the true “Moonlight Greatsword” form.
5. Does the Moonlight Greatsword have a special attack?
Yes, the Moonlight Greatsword typically features a special attack that unleashes a wave of magical energy. This attack consumes FP (Focus Points) or equivalent resources and deals significant damage to enemies. The specific animation and effect of the special attack may vary between games.
6. Is the Moonlight Greatsword good for PvE?
Absolutely. The Moonlight Greatsword is generally considered excellent for PvE (Player vs. Environment) due to its combination of physical and magical damage. Its special attack can also be very effective for clearing groups of enemies or dealing burst damage to bosses.
7. Is the Moonlight Greatsword good for PvP?
The Moonlight Greatsword can be viable in PvP (Player vs. Player), but it requires a skilled player to use effectively. Its special attack can be telegraphed, making it easy for opponents to dodge. However, its mix of damage types and unique moveset can catch unsuspecting players off guard.
8. Does the Moonlight Greatsword require specific stats?
Yes, the Moonlight Greatsword typically requires a combination of Strength and Intelligence stats to wield effectively. The exact stat requirements vary depending on the game, but players will need to invest points in both attributes to meet the minimum requirements and maximize the weapon’s damage output.
9. Is the Moonlight Greatsword in every FromSoftware game?
The Moonlight Greatsword is a recurring weapon, it doesn’t appear in every FromSoftware game. It typically appears in most of the Souls-like titles, most notably the Souls franchise, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring. It’s become a beloved staple for many fans.
10. What is the lore behind the Moonlight Greatsword?
The lore behind the Moonlight Greatsword varies across different games, but it generally represents a connection to the moon, magic, and a pursuit of knowledge or enlightenment. It’s often associated with characters who seek to understand the mysteries of the world and wield powerful magic. The sword’s ethereal glow and magical properties reflect this theme.
11. How does the Dark Moon Greatsword in Elden Ring differ from other Moonlight Greatswords?
The Dark Moon Greatsword in Elden Ring, while aesthetically similar and retaining the core magic damage focus, is tied explicitly to Ranni the Witch’s storyline. This gives it a strong narrative connection and distinguishes it from other iterations where the lore is more ambiguous. Its special attack also features a unique frost buildup effect.
12. Can I get the Moonlight Greatsword early in any of the games?
Outside of Bloodborne with the Ludwig’s Holy Blade exception, it is practically impossible to get the Moonlight Greatsword very early in any of the games. The requirements often involve defeating late-game bosses or completing lengthy questlines, which necessitates significant progress through the game.
13. What are some alternative weapons to the Moonlight Greatsword?
Alternatives to the Moonlight Greatsword would depend on the game and your specific build. However, weapons with inherent magic damage, good scaling with Intelligence, and strong special attacks are generally good substitutes. Some examples include sorceries, enchanted weapons, or other unique boss weapons.
14. Is the Moonlight Greatsword worth the effort to obtain?
For most players, the Moonlight Greatsword is absolutely worth the effort. Its unique design, powerful magic damage, and satisfying special attack make it a rewarding weapon to wield. Additionally, its connection to the lore and its recurring presence in FromSoftware games make it a symbol of prestige for many fans.
15. Does the Moonlight Greatsword ever have different damage types beyond physical and magic?
In some iterations, such as the Dark Moon Greatsword in Elden Ring, the weapon’s special attacks can inflict additional status effects, such as frostbite. While the primary damage types are typically physical and magic, the special attack can add another layer of utility to the weapon. This makes it even more versatile in combat.