Demon Souls Large Sword Of Moonlight

The Large Sword of Moonlight, a recurring weapon in the FromSoftware catalogue, holds a prominent position within the Demon's Souls arsenal. This article provides a factual overview of its properties, acquisition, and utility within the game.

Acquisition of the Large Sword of Moonlight

Location

The Large Sword of Moonlight is found within the Valley of Defilement (World 5-2), specifically in the Swamp of Sorrow. It is located behind a false wall, accessible after defeating the Dirty Colossus boss. The wall is near the first fog gate leading deeper into the swamp.

Breakable Wall Mechanic

The illusionary wall requires a specific approach to reveal its hidden passage. Players must attack the wall to dispel the illusion. Melee attacks, projectiles, and even rolling into the wall can trigger the reveal. There are no prerequisites or specific stats required to break the wall, making the sword accessible to all character builds upon reaching the area.

Accessibility Considerations

The Valley of Defilement, particularly World 5-2, is characterized by its challenging environmental hazards. The swamp induces the Poison and Plague status effects, requiring players to manage these conditions effectively. Items like the Purple Flame Shield and the Sodden Ring can mitigate these risks. Players may also want to bring healing items and status curing items.

Weapon Statistics and Properties

Base Stats

The Large Sword of Moonlight possesses the following base statistics:

• Attack: 80 Physical, 180 Magical
• Durability: 200
• Weight: 6.0

Scaling

Unlike most weapons in Demon's Souls, the Large Sword of Moonlight scales exclusively with the Magic stat. It has no scaling with Strength, Dexterity, or Faith. This makes it a prime choice for mage builds and characters heavily invested in Intelligence.

The scaling bonus from the Magic stat significantly increases the weapon's magical attack power. A high Magic stat is crucial to maximizing its damage output.

Damage Type

The weapon deals both physical and magical damage, though the majority of its damage is magical. This is significant because many enemies in Demon's Souls have varying resistances to physical and magical damage. Enemies with high physical defense but low magical defense are particularly vulnerable to the Large Sword of Moonlight.

Special Properties

The Large Sword of Moonlight is notable for its unique ability to fire projectiles with its strong attack (R2). These projectiles deal pure magical damage and ignore enemy defenses. However, these projectiles consume weapon durability with each use. Careful management of durability is necessary to prevent the weapon from breaking prematurely.

Weapon Upgrade Path

Unique Upgrade Path

The Large Sword of Moonlight cannot be upgraded through standard blacksmith upgrades with ores. Instead, it requires the Colorless Demon's Soul for each upgrade level. Colorless Demon's Souls are rare and are obtained primarily by defeating primeval demons found in each world, or by trading with Sparkly the Crow. This limited availability of upgrade materials makes maxing out the sword a significant investment.

Upgrade Effects

Each upgrade with a Colorless Demon's Soul increases the weapon's physical and magical attack power, as well as its scaling bonus with the Magic stat. Fully upgrading the Large Sword of Moonlight to +5 significantly enhances its damage output, making it a formidable weapon in the late game.

Practical Applications and Combat Strategies

Mage Builds

The Large Sword of Moonlight is exceptionally effective for mage builds due to its exclusive scaling with the Magic stat. Mages often lack effective melee options, and this sword provides a powerful close-range alternative to spells. Its projectiles allow mages to maintain distance while still dealing significant damage.

Hybrid Builds

While primarily suited for mage builds, the Large Sword of Moonlight can also be used in hybrid builds that invest moderately in the Magic stat. Even with a lower Magic stat, the sword's base magical damage and projectiles can still be useful, particularly against enemies resistant to physical damage.

Combat Tactics

Effective use of the Large Sword of Moonlight involves a combination of melee attacks and projectile usage. The melee attacks are best used against enemies with low magical defense, while the projectiles are ideal for dealing with heavily armored foes or those at a distance. Managing weapon durability is crucial, and players should avoid overusing the projectiles.

Important Note: The weapon's projectiles can damage or even kill the user if fired at very close range. Exercise caution when using the strong attack in confined spaces.

PvP Considerations

In player-versus-player (PvP) combat, the Large Sword of Moonlight can be a potent weapon, but also predictable. The projectiles can be easily dodged by experienced players, so relying solely on them is not advisable. Combining melee attacks with strategically timed projectiles can catch opponents off guard. The weapon's split damage type can also be advantageous against players who focus solely on physical defense.

Comparisons to Other Weapons

Crescent Weapons

Crescent weapons, which scale with Magic, are a common alternative for mage builds. However, Crescent weapons typically deal purely magical damage, whereas the Large Sword of Moonlight deals split physical and magical damage. This can be advantageous in certain situations where enemies have high resistance to one damage type but not the other.

Other Moonlight Weapons

The Large Sword of Moonlight in Demon's Souls is a predecessor to other Moonlight Swords found in later FromSoftware games. While the core concept of a magical sword with projectile attacks remains consistent, the specific properties and acquisition methods vary across different titles.

Blueblood Sword

The Blueblood Sword scales with both Luck and Magic, offering another option for hybrid builds. While the Blueblood Sword can achieve higher damage potential with optimal stat allocation, the Large Sword of Moonlight is generally more accessible and easier to use, particularly for players focused primarily on magic.

Conclusion

The Large Sword of Moonlight is a unique and powerful weapon in Demon's Souls, ideally suited for mage builds due to its exclusive scaling with the Magic stat. Its acquisition requires navigating the challenging Valley of Defilement, and its upgrade path necessitates the rare Colorless Demon's Souls. The sword's split damage type and projectile attacks offer versatile combat options, making it a valuable addition to any mage's arsenal. However, players must manage weapon durability carefully to maximize its effectiveness. Here are the key takeaways:

• Scaling: Scales exclusively with the Magic stat.
• Location: Valley of Defilement (5-2), behind a breakable wall.
• Unique Feature: Fires magical projectiles with its strong attack (R2).
• Upgrade Material: Requires Colorless Demon's Souls for upgrades.
• Ideal Build: Primarily suited for mage builds.