Dark Souls 2 Moonlight Greatsword Location And Weapon Details

The Moonlight Greatsword is one of the most legendary weapons in FromSoftware history, making a grand return in Dark Souls 2 with unique mechanics and high intelligence scaling. Unlike physical heavy weapons, this iconic blade inflicts pure magic damage, making it a dream choice for sorcery builds and battlemages alike. Understanding how to obtain this weapon and optimize its stats ensures you can harness its full potential in your journey through Drangleic.

How to Acquire the True Moonlight Greatsword

Obtaining the true Moonlight Greatsword requires players to venture into New Game Plus or use a Bonfire Ascetic in Brightstone Cove Tseldora. You must defeat the Duke's Dear Freja on higher difficulty to earn the Old Paledrake Soul, which represents the soul of Seath the Scaleless. Once you have acquired this rare boss soul, travel to Straid of Olaphis in the Lost Bastille to trade it for the weapon.

It is important not to confuse the genuine weapon with the fake Bluemoon Greatsword obtained through Benhart of Jugo's questline. While the fake counterpart scales with physical strength, the real version relies entirely on magic power for its offensive capabilities. Securing the genuine soul guarantees you get the true magic-projecting broadsword.

Weapon Stats and Intelligence Scaling

The Moonlight Greatsword requires 18 Strength, 18 Dexterity, and 18 Intelligence to wield effectively. It features an impressive A-rank scaling in Intelligence right out of the box, which quickly upgrades to an S-rank when infused with Magic. Because it deals purely magic damage, physical defense stats on enemies are completely bypassed when striking your foes.

Players looking to maximize their damage output should prioritize increasing their Intelligence stat toward the soft cap. Infusing the weapon at Steady Hand McDuff's workshop further boosts its base magic scaling, making it hit exceptionally hard against opponents with low magic resistance. Upgrades require Petrified Dragon Bones, so saving your upgrade materials for this weapon is highly recommended.

Unique Special Attacks and Durability Management

One of the most defining features of the Moonlight Greatsword is its heavy attack projectile feature. When executing a heavy two-handed or one-handed swing, the blade unleashes a glowing crescent wave of magic energy that can hit targets at a distance. This ranged beam deals massive damage and provides great crowd control against grouped enemies.

However, unleashing these magical beams consumes a portion of the weapon's overall durability with every cast. To prevent the blade from breaking during intense boss fights or long exploration routes, carrying repair powder or equipping the Bracing Knuckle Ring is essential. Managing durability carefully allows you to maintain continuous ranged pressure without risking weapon failure.

Best Builds and Combat Strategies

Integrating the Moonlight Greatsword into a dedicated sorcerer build allows players to transition smoothly between spellcasting and melee combat. Pairing this sword with high-tier staves ensures that you remain lethal at any distance while saving spell uses for crucial moments. Furthermore, combining the weapon with defensive sorceries like Great Magic Shield can create a versatile frontline battlemage setup.

In player-versus-player encounters, the wide horizontal swings of the broadsword move set excel at catching opponents who attempt to roll past you. Mixing up basic light attacks with delayed projectile heavy attacks can easily throw off the timing of enemy dodges. Mastering these pacing changes makes the weapon a formidable tool in both single-player campaigns and competitive duels.