What Does the Dark Moon Greatsword Scale Off Of? A Deep Dive into Elden Ring’s Iconic Weapon

The Dark Moon Greatsword, a returning favorite from FromSoftware’s repertoire, is a formidable weapon in Elden Ring. It’s not just a big, flashy sword; it boasts unique scaling properties that make it a compelling choice for specific builds. So, to answer the core question directly: the Dark Moon Greatsword scales primarily with Intelligence, and to a lesser extent with Strength and Dexterity. This means that increasing your Intelligence stat will provide the biggest boost to its damage output, making it the ideal weapon for mage-hybrid builds. While Strength and Dexterity contribute, their impact is significantly less than Intelligence.

Understanding Weapon Scaling in Elden Ring

Before delving deeper into the Dark Moon Greatsword, it’s crucial to understand how weapon scaling works in Elden Ring. Each weapon possesses certain scaling attributes, denoted by letter grades: S, A, B, C, D, and E, where S is the best and E is the worst. These letters determine how much a weapon’s damage is increased when you level up the corresponding stats.

The Dark Moon Greatsword, typically, shows scaling values of C in Strength and Dexterity, and B in Intelligence at its base level, although this improves as you upgrade the weapon. As you upgrade the sword it can reach an A scaling in intelligence, making Intelligence its key damage stat. This signifies that Intelligence is the primary stat driving the weapon’s damage potential, making it an excellent choice for a build that focuses heavily on magic.

Dark Moon Greatsword: A Closer Look

The Dark Moon Greatsword is not just about raw physical damage; it also deals magic damage, enhancing its versatility and effectiveness, especially against enemies with physical resistances. It’s famed for its unique weapon skill, the “Moonlight Greatsword” attack which imbues the blade with magical energy and fires a wave of ice damage at range. This skill scales with Intelligence as well, making it a powerful tool for both close-range and ranged combat.

This weapon is a staple in FromSoftware games for a reason, and its implementation in Elden Ring continues that tradition. Its scaling emphasizes an Intelligence build and a playstyle that balances melee attacks with magical prowess. While a pure strength build might opt for other greatswords, the Dark Moon Greatsword is perfect for players looking to combine the power of a greatsword with the versatility of sorcery. It’s a perfect example of a weapon that caters to specific builds and playstyles, rather than being a universally powerful choice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the Dark Moon Greatsword and its scaling in Elden Ring:

What are the ideal stats for a Dark Moon Greatsword build?

The most effective stat allocation generally includes:

• Intelligence: 80. This is paramount, as it is the primary stat for scaling.
• Vigor: 50. To ensure survivability.
• Mind: 15. For spell usage and weapon skill.
• Endurance: 15. To increase stamina for attacks and dodging.
• Strength: 16. To meet the weapon’s minimum requirement and for some minor damage scaling.
• Dexterity: 12. To meet the weapon’s minimum requirement.
• Faith: 7 and Arcane: 9 will not affect this build.

Does the Dark Moon Greatsword scale with faith?

No, the Dark Moon Greatsword does not scale with Faith. Its scaling is primarily driven by Intelligence, with a smaller contribution from Strength and Dexterity.

Does the Dark Moon Greatsword do magic damage?

Yes, the Dark Moon Greatsword deals both physical and magic damage, making it highly effective against a variety of enemies. Furthermore, the Moonlight Greatsword weapon skill deals magical frost damage.

Is the Dark Moon Greatsword considered a legendary weapon?

Yes, the Dark Moon Greatsword is one of the legendary armaments in Elden Ring, bestowed by a Carian queen upon her spouse, as stated in the weapon’s description.

What is the best upgrade path for the Dark Moon Greatsword?

The best upgrade path is to fully upgrade the weapon with Somber Smithing Stones, which will maximize its damage scaling and improve its overall effectiveness.

How does the Dark Moon Greatsword compare to other greatswords?

While other greatswords often scale primarily with Strength, the Dark Moon Greatsword stands out due to its primary Intelligence scaling and magic damage output. This makes it a unique and excellent choice for mage-hybrid builds.

Is the Dark Moon Greatsword good for PvP?

Yes, the Dark Moon Greatsword is often regarded as very effective in PvP. The combination of physical and magic damage, combined with the strong weapon skill, make it a viable and powerful choice. However, keep in mind that its ranged attack is easily dodged by skilled players, so rely more on timing and close range attacks.

Can I use the Dark Moon Greatsword with a pure Strength build?

While you can, it’s not optimized for a pure Strength build. The Dark Moon Greatsword’s damage primarily comes from Intelligence. Therefore, a Strength-focused character will not utilize the sword’s full potential, and would be better off with a Strength-scaling Greatsword, such as the Heavy Greatsword.

Does the Dark Moon Greatsword’s weapon skill scale?

Yes, the weapon skill “Moonlight Greatsword” scales with Intelligence. This makes the skill a powerful addition to your magical arsenal.

How do I acquire the Dark Moon Greatsword?

The Dark Moon Greatsword is a late-game reward obtained by completing Ranni the Witch’s questline. It’s not found in the open world and is only accessible after progressing through her intricate storyline.

Is the Dark Moon Greatsword good for PvE?

Absolutely, the Dark Moon Greatsword is excellent for PvE. Its balance of physical and magic damage, coupled with its powerful weapon skill, makes it a great choice for exploring the Lands Between. The magical frost damage is very helpful against powerful bosses.

What is the highest damage greatsword in Elden Ring?

While the Dark Moon Greatsword is powerful, weapons like the Heavy Giant-Crusher and Ruins Greatsword can often achieve higher physical damage numbers in a Strength-focused build. However, these don’t include magic damage, which is where the Dark Moon Greatsword shines. The best greatsword for you will be based on your specific build, though.

What is the difference between the Dark Moon Greatsword and the Moonlight Greatsword?

The terms are often used interchangeably. The Dark Moon Greatsword is the name of the weapon, whereas the Moonlight Greatsword is the weapon skill associated with it.

Can you infuse the Dark Moon Greatsword with Ashes of War?

No, the Dark Moon Greatsword cannot be infused with Ashes of War. Its unique weapon skill, “Moonlight Greatsword” is locked in.

What is the best affinity for the Dark Moon Greatsword?

The Dark Moon Greatsword cannot have an affinity applied to it, as it’s a unique weapon that cannot be altered.

Conclusion

The Dark Moon Greatsword is an iconic weapon in the FromSoftware library for a good reason. In Elden Ring, its primary scaling with Intelligence allows players to create powerful mage-hybrid builds that can dominate both in melee and at range. Its unique blend of physical and magical damage, coupled with its powerful weapon skill, make it a truly formidable weapon in the Lands Between. Understanding its scaling and strengths is the key to unlocking its full potential. If you are playing with a character with high intelligence, it is a great choice to use the Dark Moon Greatsword.