Elden Ring: How to Obtain and Master the Moonveil Katana
This guide will walk you through how to obtain the Moonveil, its stats and scaling, how to wield it effectively, and advanced strategies to master it in both PvE and PvP.
How to Obtain the Moonveil Katana
Location
The Moonveil Katana is obtained by defeating the Magma Wyrm Makar, a powerful optional boss located in Gael Tunnel, found on the border of Limgrave and Caelid.
Reach Gael Tunnel
From the Smoldering Church in Caelid, follow the road southeast until you see the entrance guarded by soldiers.
Alternatively, approach from Limgrave by heading east through the border cliffs.
You’ll find a Site of Grace just inside the tunnel.
Defeat the Magma Wyrm Makar
The Magma Wyrm is a dragon-like beast that wields a massive sword.
Its attacks include sweeping fire-breaths, heavy slashes, and devastating AoEs.
Spirit Summons are highly recommended for this fight to distract the boss.
Bleed weapons or ranged sorceries are particularly effective.
Reward
Upon defeating the Magma Wyrm, you will receive the Moonveil Katana along with a large sum of Runes.
Moonveil Katana Stats
Weapon Type: Katana
Scaling: Primarily Intelligence (Int) and Dexterity (Dex)
Requirements:
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 18
Intelligence: 23
Strengths
High magic damage scaling with Intelligence.
Bleed build-up, like all katanas, making it deadly against bosses and tough enemies.
Weapon Art Transient Moonlight, one of the strongest skills in the game.
Weaknesses
Requires a significant investment in Intelligence.
Slightly weaker raw physical damage compared to pure melee katanas.
Weapon Art consumes FP, so it needs efficient FP management.
The Power of Transient Moonlight
The defining feature of the Moonveil is its weapon skill:
Transient Moonlight
Unsheath the katana and release a light beam of magic with either a light or heavy attack.
The light attack sends out a quick horizontal slash.
The heavy attack launches a vertical beam with more range and stagger potential.
Why It’s So Strong
Fast casting speed: Quicker than most sorceries, making it hard for enemies to react.
Range: Gives melee-focused builds a reliable ranged option.
Stagger power: Many humanoid enemies and even bosses can be interrupted by a well-timed heavy beam.
PvP dominance: Its speed and reach make it a nightmare for opponents in duels.
Recommended Builds for Moonveil
1. Intelligence-Dex Hybrid
Stats: Focus on Int (40+) and Dex (30+), with enough Endurance for stamina and FP management.
Playstyle: Balance melee strikes with Transient Moonlight beams.
Best For: Players who want to swap between katanas and sorceries seamlessly.
2. Pure Intelligence Mage Hybrid
Stats: Prioritize Int (60+) with minimal Dex.
Playstyle: Use Moonveil for close encounters, while relying on sorceries like Comet Azur at range.
Best For: Mages who want a melee backup weapon.
3. Bleed Intelligence Build
Stats: Invest in Dex and Arcane alongside Int.
Playstyle: Take advantage of bleed procs while adding magic scaling damage.
Best For: Players who enjoy status effect builds with versatility.
Combat Strategies
PvE (Bosses and Exploration)
Opener: Use Transient Moonlight heavy attack to stagger enemies from range.
Melee Follow-up: Once staggered, move in and chain katana slashes to build bleed.
Boss Fights: Focus on timing heavy beams during openings; many bosses stagger quickly under repeated hits.
FP Management: Carry plenty of Cerulean Flasks to sustain Transient Moonlight usage.
PvP (Duels and Invasions)
Zoning Tool: Spam light beams to pressure enemies and force them into mistakes.
Punish Rolls: Opponents often dodge predictably—delay a heavy beam to catch them mid-roll.
Mix-Ups: Alternate between melee and ranged beams to keep enemies guessing.
Mind Games: Fake melee pressure, then retreat and unleash a beam to punish aggression.
Tips to Master the Moonveil
Learn Beam Timing – The light beam is for quick punishes, while the heavy beam excels at catching dodges and staggering.
Pair with Sorceries – Spells like Glintstone Pebble or Swift Glintstone Shard pair perfectly for ranged chip damage.
Upgrade Early – Use Smithing Stones to push Moonveil’s scaling as soon as possible. It becomes a powerhouse when upgraded.
Don’t Overcommit – The FP cost means spamming beams can drain resources; weave in melee attacks to conserve FP.
Stay Mobile – Katanas benefit from agility. Dodge often, reposition, and buy Elden Ring Runes punish from unexpected angles.
Final Thoughts
The Moonveil Katana is more than just a strong weapon—it’s a cornerstone of some of the most effective builds in Elden Ring. Its blend of melee efficiency, magic scaling, and the devastating Transient Moonlight skill make it one of the most versatile and rewarding weapons to master. Whether you’re carving through bosses, holding your own in PvP, or balancing sorcery with swordplay, the Moonveil proves itself as one of the deadliest tools on the Lands Between.
With patience, practice, and a sharp blade, you’ll dominate both enemies and fellow Tarnished alike.