Elden Ring: Moonveil Guide
When it comes to legendary katanas in Elden Ring, few weapons have achieved the level of acclaim as Moonveil. A favorite among Dexterity/Intelligence (Dex/Int) builds, Moonveil is known for its fast Bleed buildup, excellent stagger potential, and incredible weapon skill, Transient Moonlight. Whether you're engaging in PvE boss fights or dueling in PvP, this katana can carry you through the entire game with ease.
If you're looking for an overpowered yet elegant weapon that synergizes well with Elden Ring Runes farming and complements the best Elden Ring Items, then Moonveil is a must-have. This guide will break down Moonveil's stats, skill mechanics, best builds, and strategies to help you get the most out of this powerful katana.
Moonveil Weapon Overview
Weapon Type: Katana
Damage Type: Slash, Pierce
Skill: Transient Moonlight – Sheathe your katana, then unleash a powerful magical slash with a light or heavy attack.
Light attack: Horizontal slash, 27.5 poise damage
Heavy attack: Vertical slash, 30 poise damage
Magic projectile: 12.5 poise damage, can be aimed
FP Cost: 15 (Light), 20 (Heavy)
Passive Effect: Bleed (50)
Stat Requirements:
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 18
Intelligence: 23
Attribute Scaling:
Strength: E
Dexterity: D
Intelligence: C
Weight: 6.5
Moonveil is a lightweight yet deadly weapon, perfectly suited for hybrid spellblades. Its C-scaling in Intelligence means it benefits heavily from Int-based builds, while its D-scaling in Dexterity ensures fast attack speed and solid melee damage. The 50 Bleed passive is another major strength, making it a formidable weapon for both magic and status-inflicting playstyles.
Where to Find Moonveil
To acquire Moonveil, players must defeat the Magma Wyrm in Gael Tunnel, which connects Limgrave and Caelid. This dungeon is located on the border between the two regions, and it's accessible fairly early in the game.
Tips for Defeating the Magma Wyrm:
Stay mobile: The Wyrm's lava pools can trap you in tight spaces, so keep moving.
Use ranged attacks: Spells like Glintstone Pebble or Rock Sling allow you to deal safe damage from a distance.
Punish slow attacks: The Magma Wyrm has long attack animations, leaving openings for charged heavy attacks.
Once defeated, the Magma Wyrm will drop Moonveil, rewarding players with one of the most powerful early-to-mid-game weapons.
Why Moonveil is One of the Best Katanas in Elden Ring
1. Transient Moonlight – A Top-Tier Weapon Skill
The Transient Moonlight skill is what makes Moonveil exceptionally strong. This quick-draw magical slash is capable of staggering enemies and bosses from a distance while dealing massive poise damage.
The Light attack version unleashes a horizontal slash, making it ideal for hitting multiple enemies in front of you.
The Heavy attack version releases a vertical strike, useful for dealing with single targets or staggerable enemies.
The magic projectile that follows these slashes is one of Moonveil's best features, allowing you to control space in PvP and keep aggressive foes at bay.
2. Bleed Buildup – Shreds Enemy Health Bars
Moonveil's 50 Bleed passive makes it particularly strong against high-HP enemies and bosses. Since Bleed procs deal a percentage of the enemy's total HP as damage, Moonveil allows you to quickly wear down even the tankiest foes.
To maximize Bleed procs, pair Moonveil with Elden Ring Items such as:
Lord of Blood's Exultation (Talisman that boosts attack power when Bleed occurs).
White Mask (Boosts damage after Blood Loss).
Seppuku Ash of War (Increases Bleed buildup for off-hand weapons).
3. High Poise Damage – Staggers Most Enemies
Moonveil is excellent at breaking enemy poise, allowing you to stagger even the toughest foes. Its poise damage values (27.5 for light, 30 for heavy, 12.5 for projectile) mean that well-timed attacks can consistently interrupt enemy actions and leave them open to critical hits.
4. Versatile for PvE and PvP
In PvE, Moonveil's Bleed damage and ranged slashes make it a safe and effective boss-killer.
In PvP, the weapon's quick draw attacks, mix-ups, and ability to punish aggressive players make it a top-tier choice for duels.
Best Builds for Moonveil
1. Dex/Int Spellblade Build (Pure Moonveil Focus)
Primary Weapon: Moonveil
Stats to Prioritize: Dexterity (18+), Intelligence (40+), Mind (for FP)
Armor: Lusat's Set (for magic boosts) or White Mask (for Bleed synergy)
Talismans:
Radagon Icon (faster spellcasting speed)
Lord of Blood's Exultation (boosts attack after Bleed procs)
Carian Filigreed Crest (reduces FP cost of weapon skills)
Spells:
Glintstone Pebble (fast poke)
Carian Slicer (cheap melee option)
Comet (ranged burst damage)
2. Hybrid Bleed Build (Moonveil + Off-Hand Katana)
Primary Weapon: Moonveil (Main Hand), Rivers of Blood/Nagakiba (Off-Hand)
Stats to Prioritize: Dexterity (25+), Intelligence (30+), Arcane (for Bleed)
Armor: White Mask (boosts attack power after Bleed)
Talismans:
Millicent's Prosthesis (boosts Dexterity and attack power after successive hits)
Rotten Winged Sword Insignia (increases attack power on consecutive hits)
Lord of Blood's Exultation
This build combines magic damage and fast Bleed procs, overwhelming enemies with rapid, high-damage strikes.
Final Thoughts
Moonveil is a phenomenal katana that remains one of the best weapons in Elden Ring for both PvE and PvP. Its high poise damage, powerful Bleed buildup, and incredible Transient Moonlight skill make it an essential weapon for Dexterity/Intelligence players.
If you want a weapon that excels at ranged attacks, can stagger foes effortlessly, and provides strong Bleed synergy, Moonveil is the perfect choice. With the right Elden Ring Runes and Elden Ring Items, this katana will carry you to victory in every battle.