In the Lands Between, power lies not only in brute strength but in mastery of ancient magic and Elden Ring Runes precision. Among the most coveted weapons in Elden Ring, the Moonveil Katana has carved a legendary status among intelligence-based players. With its unique ability to unleash devastating magic-infused slashes, this weapon blends dexterity and sorcery into a deadly combination. Whether you're a PvP duelist or a boss destroyer, this guide will walk you through how to obtain, scale, and dominate with the Moonveil Katana.

Where to Find the Moonveil Katana

The Moonveil Katana is hidden early-to-mid game and can be acquired far earlier than its power suggests.

Location: Gael Tunnel (Caelid)

Entry Point: You can reach Gael Tunnel from Limgrave, heading east through the Smoldering Wall into Caelid.

The entrance to Gael Tunnel is located along the border cliff between Limgrave and Caelid, near the Rotview Balcony Site of Grace.

The exact spot is southwest of the Smoldering Church, where you’ll find a cave opening guarded by some soldiers.

Boss: Magma Wyrm

At the end of Gael Tunnel, you must defeat the Magma Wyrm, a lava-spewing reptilian beast.

It's a moderately tough fight, especially for melee builds due to lava pools and sweeping attacks.

For magic users, ranged sorceries and summons can trivialize the fight.

Upon defeating the Magma Wyrm, you'll be rewarded with Moonveil Katana and a Dragon Heart.

Moonveil Stats and Scaling

Here’s why Moonveil stands out among weapons:

Base Requirements

Dexterity: 12

Intelligence: 23

Strength: 12

Scaling

Initially: D in Strength, D in Dex, C in Intelligence

Upgraded (Max): Moonveil reaches B scaling in Intelligence, making it ideal for sorcerers who want to dive into melee.

Weapon Skill: Transient Moonlight

This is where Moonveil truly shines:

Light Attack (R1): Fires a quick horizontal magic slash

Heavy Attack (R2): Unleashes a vertical arc of magic energy

Both cost FP and can be chained after a normal attack, making Moonveil unpredictable and deadly

Best Build for Moonveil

Moonveil thrives in a Dexterity/Intelligence hybrid build, often referred to as Spellsword or Magic Samurai.

Recommended Stats (Level 80–100)

Vigor: 35 – to survive boss hits and PvP duels

Mind: 20 – to fuel Transient Moonlight and sorceries

Endurance: 15 – to wear light/medium armor without fat-rolling

Strength: 12 – minimum requirement

Dexterity: 18–20 – for faster casting and better melee scaling

Intelligence: 40+ – this is your main damage stat

Faith/Arcane: Base level only

Complementary Spells

Pair Moonveil with these sorceries for maximum impact:

Glintstone Pebble / Great Glintstone Shard – low-cost poke

Comet Azur – boss melter from a distance

Carian Slicer – pairs well with Moonveil for close-range burst

Terra Magica – increases magic damage if you want to pre-buff before fights

Armor and Talismans

To get the most out of Moonveil, build around both magic damage and sustainability.

Armor

Use light to medium armor to maintain fast roll while keeping decent poise.

Carian Knight Set or Spellblade Set are great for Magic builds.

Talismans

Radagon Icon – Shortens spell casting time

Magic Scorpion Charm – Boosts magic damage (but increases incoming damage)

Shard of Alexander – Boosts weapon skill damage (massive boost to Transient Moonlight)

Erdtree’s Favor – For HP, stamina, and equip load boost

Combat Strategy with Moonveil

PvE Tactics

Open with Glintstone spells to pull enemies, then close the gap for a charged Transient Moonlight slash.

Against aggressive mobs or bosses, bait an attack, dodge, then punish with a vertical Moonlight slash.

Use Ashes of War or Spirit Summons (like Mimic Tear or Latenna) to distract enemies and attack safely.

PvP Tactics

Start fights with basic R1s or crouch attacks to bait rolls.

Use Transient Moonlight (R2 version) after feints or dodges — it hits hard and is difficult to react to.

Catch runners or healers mid-animation with the fast R1 Moonlight slash.

Weaknesses and Counters

FP Dependency: You can’t spam Moonveil’s skill without managing FP, especially in long fights.

Armor Scaling: Against high magic resistance enemies (Crucible Knights, magic-resistant bosses), Moonveil underperforms unless buffed.

PvP Anticipation: Moonveil has a notorious reputation — skilled players expect the skill spam and may parry or dodge predictively.

Final Thoughts

The Moonveil Katana is one of the most elegant and cheap Elden Ring Runes devastating weapons in Elden Ring, rewarding precise timing, spacing, and FP management. It's a fantastic choice for players who want the flair of sorcery and the immediacy of a katana’s speed. While it’s been at the center of PvP debates for its power, it remains a fan-favorite for good reason.

Whether you're carving through the undead or dueling invaders at the Haligtree, Moonveil is more than a blade — it's a legacy of light, shadow, and silent death.

Ready your magic, draw your sword, and let the moonlight guide your strike.