Holy Moonlight Sword is a Trick Weapon in Bloodborne. It was introduced with The Old Hunters DLC.
There are 3 versions of this weapon: Normal, Uncanny, and Lost. The only known differences being the Gem Imprints and the locations in which they are found.
Holy Moonlight Sword Description
"An arcane sword discovered long ago by Ludwig.
When blue moonlight dances around the sword, and it channels the abyssal cosmos, its great blade will hurl a shadowy lightwave.
The Holy Moonlight Sword is synonymous with Ludwig, the Holy Blade, but few have ever set eyes on the great blade, and whatever guidance it has to offer, it seems to be of a very private, elusive sort."
Holy Moonlight Sword Information
- Transforms from a one-handed Greatsword into the two-handed Moonlight Greatsword.
- 50% righteous bonus for all attacks.
- Untransformed R1 attacks deal 50% of the listed arcane damage.
- Untransformed -> Transformed L1 deals 83.3% of the listed arcane damage.
- Transformed R1 attacks deal 70% of the listed arcane damage.
- Transformed -> Untransformed L1 deals 100% of the listed arcane damage.
- Transformed R2 attacks (with bullets) deal 0% of the listed arcane damage; 100% of the arcane damage is transferred to the sword's projectile.
- Transformed R2 attacks (without bullets) deal 70% of the listed arcane damage, as there is no projectile.
- The L2 attack (with bullets) deals 100% of the listed arcane damage.
- The L2 attack (without bullets) deals 70% of the listed arcane damage.
- The Normal variant performs well enough, allowing for triangular gems such as Odd (Temp/Arc) or Abyssal Nourishing gems.
- The Uncanny variant performs slightly worse, allowing only Abyssal Nourishing gems, as fire and bolt are wasted on this weapon.
- The Lost variant performs best due to its triangle and waning gem slots, which can be utilized for two strong Abyssal Nourishing gems.
Location
Normal
- The Hunter's Nightmare: Found on the Underground Corpse Pile after the fight against Ludwig, The Holy Blade. Ludwig's head will be lying there and you can:
- Kill the head for the sword.
- Wear a piece of any church attire and talk to the head. When prompted, reply "Yes" and you'll get the sword.
- Wear a piece of any church attire and reply "No", then come back later and Simon the Harrowed will be there and give you the sword.
- NOTE: This weapon is missable. If Laurence is killed before you obtain it, you will no longer be able to talk to the head or obtain it from Simon.
Uncanny Holy Moonlight Sword
- If you have the normal version: Create Glyph 8i29rqz3 (Pthumeru Labyrinth) and buy from Bath Messengers up a ladder from the main room for 80,000 Blood Echoes.
Lost Holy Moonlight Sword
- If you have the normal version: Create Glyph 8i29rqz3 (Pthumeru Labyrinth) and buy from Bath Messengers up a ladder from the main room for 80,000 Blood Echoes.
Player Notes
- All arcane damage %s (presented in the weapon's information above) are applied to the individual attacks' multipliers. E.G., the transformed running R1 has a 1.1 multiplier, so its arcane damage multiplier is 0.7 * 1.1 = 0.77. Thus, if your Holy Moonlight Sword's stats read that it has "100 + 50" arcane damage, you will deal (100 + 50) * 0.77 = 115.5 arcane damage.
- Transformed R2 attacks at close range will hit foes with both the sword and the projectile, dealing 100% of the physical and arcane damage listed.
- Without QS bullets, the transformed heavy attacks will no longer emit projectiles.
- Cannot be buffed with consumables such as Empty Phantasm Shell, Bolt Paper, or Fire Paper.
- Cannot be changed to a different element by using Gems that give Fire or Bolt bonuses.
- The weapon has poise / hyper-armor frames in both of its normal and transformed modes. You cannot be interrupted by light attacks mid-swing while you are attacking an enemy.
Stats/Scaling
Movesets & Videos
| Move | Damage Type & Modifier | Stamina | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| R1 Combo | 1.00x, 1.02x, 1.06x. 1.06x | 25 | Horizontal swings alternating from left to right and right to left, with a slight diagonal arc. |
| Backstep R1 | .90x | Performs a shortened ground slam. | |
| Dodge R1 | .90x | ?? ~ ?? | Horizontal sweep from right to left. |
| Dash R1 | 1.10x | ?? (+run) | Performs a horizontal slash at a slight diagonal. |
| R2 Attack | 1.30x | ?? | Performs a forward thrust. |
| Charged R2 | 1.80x, 2.00x | ?? | Performs a more powerful forward thrust. |
| Backstep R2 | 1.03x | Performs an uppercut that starts at the right foot and ends above the left shoulder. | |
| Dodge R2 | 1.03x | ?? | After the roll, initiates a forward thrust. |
| Dash R2 | 1.40x | ?? | Initiates a forward thrust. |
| Leap | 1.30x | ?? (+run) | Performs a leaping overhead slam. |
| Transform Attack | 1.20x | ?? (+x) | transforms the blade then brings it down with a diagonal slash. |
| Move | Damage Type & Modifier | Stamina | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| R1 Combo | 1.00x, 1.02x, 1.06x, 1.06x | ?? | Diagonal and horizontal swings that alternate directions from left to right and from right to left. |
| Backstep R1 | .90x | Overhand downwards slash. | |
| Dodge R1 | ?? ~ ?? | ?? ~ ?? | After the roll, performs a horizontal sweep from right to left. |
| Dash R1 | 1.10x | ?? (+run) | Performs a diagonal and downward horizontal swipe starting at the right shoulder and ending by the left foot. |
| R2 Attack | 1.20x, 2.00x (wave) | ?? | Backhand horizontal sweep from left to right which also emits a moonlight wave from the blade. Consumes a quicksilver bullet per swipe. |
| Charged R2 | 1.40x, 2.80x (wave) | ?? | Backhand diagonal sweep from left to right which also emits a wave. Consumes a quicksilver bullet. Tapping R2 again here will follow it with another horizontal sweep from right to left along with another wave. This follow up also consumes a quicksilver bullet. |
| Backstep R2 | 1.20x, 1.80x (wave) | Initiates a diagonal uppercut. Consumes a quicksilver bullet. | |
| Dodge R2 | ?? | ?? | Performs a horizontal left to right sweep which emits a wave. Consumes a quicksilver bullet. |
| Dash R2 | 1.20x, 2.20x (wave) | ?? (+run) | Performs an overhead downwards slash. Consumes a quicksilver bullet. |
| L2 | 1.50x, 1.50x (flash) | A forward thrust with a flash at the end. The attack is the same for every iteration (backstep, dash, etc) Does not emit a projectile but consumes a quicksilver bullet in the flash. The attack causes an area knockdown effect on enemies. | |
| Leap | 1.30x, 2.40x (wave) | ?? | Performs a leaping overhead slam and emits a vertical wave. |
| Transform Attack | 1.30x | ?? (+x) | A downward slash that releases the arcane energy of the blade into an attack. The blade is untransformed after. |
Trivia
- It seems to be another reappearance of the Moonlight Greatsword, a recurring item found around FromSoftware's games. Notable examples of such games include the first, second and third Dark Souls games, Demon's Souls, King's Field, Ninja Blade, Enchanted Arms, Armored Core, 3D Dot Game Heroes, and Otogi.
Gallery
AnonymousUntransformed R2 is a very underutilized attack that 1. can be spammed 2. does way more damage then it shoukd for its speed, 3. with correct blood gems, the damge can go up to 700 per R2, 4. better than transfomred if the enemy is very resistant to arcane damage like Ludwig or Micolash
Finally beat Ludwig and got my hands on this baby girl, I'm so surprised it'll work for my quality build, I'll just add some Arcane to my stats and I'm ready to bless and tear through the rest of the DLC
- Anonymous
Would someone be able to help me with Ludwig? PSN: Oh-Lovely-Wolf, I’ve been stuck for a few weeks :(
- Anonymous
i just know a lick of this sword would be soo refreshing on a hot summer's day
- Anonymous
is the sword a great one or something? since it somehow talks to ludwig
- Anonymous
Uhh I killed laurance and I was still able to get it, maybe a glitch, idk.
- Anonymous
Untransformed is basically the claymore from DS1. And just like in DS1 the combo r1, r1, r2 (not charged) still works great.
- Anonymous
Boss: *kills me for the 25th time*
"That's it, I'm gettin' me moonlight!"
- Anonymous
everyone saying that bb version is the best especially much better than ds3 version why? my boy just look at the scalings youll see why!!!
- Anonymous
I did everything in the entire game, including Orphan and Laurance and came back to find the head still chillin...wore the white church and answered yes and still got his guiding moo light.
- Anonymous
Untransformed : classic sword that you could find in any fromsoft game
Transformed : mlgs that you can also find in any fromsoft game
- Anonymous
I could still get it by talking to his head with church armor, after killing lawrence. Simon is also already dead. Maybe it was a Bug but I think the note on this Page is wrong
- Anonymous
my true mentor, my guiding moonlight... *starts leading an amazing choir*
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Best iteration of the Moonlight Greatsword, in both moveset and looks. The others don’t even come close.
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It's so funny to watch enemies ragdoll after they got hit by the L2 attack.
- Anonymous
Level up dex first. It will deal only 5 less dmg(406) than str(411) at 40 in either dex or str stat. Remember that visceral attack scales with dex.
- Anonymous
Fun fact: the transformation to arcane blade's sound effect is the same sound as dark souls 1 dark hand's grab sound effect. Considering the nature of the arcane in this game, it's an accurate choice of sound.
- Anonymous
As of 2022, still the best moonlight greatsword iteration. A new wave of Ranni simps argue otherwise but we don't associate with those.
- Anonymous
Aah, you were at my side, all along. My true mentor... My guiding moonlight.
- Anonymous
Why yes, I like transforming my weapon for no reason whatsoever, how could you tell?
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Imo this weapon is also really good with one heavy abyssal and two nourishing abyssal gems if you go pure STR/ARC
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Fantastic weapon, just realized that the full charge r2 can be followed up with a second slash today
- Anonymous
Prettiest moonlight greatsword, also prettiest owner Ludwig.
- Anonymous
Nourishing + Arcane ATK Gems on a Quality/Arcane build is truly the best path. Focus on Strength and Skill first as physical attack carries over to the Transformed version and will always do more damage even with with low Arcane.
- Anonymous
Ranni fans: UMMMM UJMMM PLZ MARRY ME I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOUR SWORDF
ludwig fans: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO REEEEEEEEEEEEEE RHAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWAHA
RAH BAH DAAASDHGD HHA *horse noises
MY GUIDING MOONLIGHT
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
- Anonymous
I’ve killed many in PvP with this guiding moonlingt. I am the real Ludwig…
- Anonymous
Guys, I already went to quality build with ludwig's blade with even str/skl stat distribution, currently 35/35 (around lv 75). If i wish to change my build to suit MGS more - should i start investing stats in Arcane, or it's already late? I now blame myself for not checking the dlc content.... Also my ludwig is already +7.
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In most FromSoft games, I find it extremely hard to move away from using Dex/Skill weapons. My first playthrough in Bloodborne was Skill+Bloodtinge and using Chikage, Rakuyo, and Blades of Mercy, and I loved every second of it.
Then I did a playthrough where I rushed to get this bad boy as early as possible, and it's just SO good and so much fun to use, and in all other games I still primarily do Dex + Fth, but this is the exception. Bloodborne is the only game where I find myself wanting to just play with the Holy Moonlight Sword over and over again. Easily the best iteration of the Moonlight Sword in any game, at least in my opinion.
Transform attacks? The absolute best. Shooting beams/projectiles with the charging up "eeeEEEE" right before hand? Based. Absolute dump truck damage that destroys any enemy in the game? Bet your ass. This weapon feels amazing to use in every way, in both the transformed and un-transformed versions. Un-transformed = heavy attacks feel great to hit with. Transformed = any move is just satisfying to hit with.
If you haven't used this weapon as of yet, do yourself a favor, and play the game with this. If you wanna get it as early as possible, level up your health to 30-40, endurance to 15 or so, and start with the Saw Cleaver, or alternatively the Whirligig Saw in the DLC (which is also an amazingly fun weapon), get your fire paper and . Get the minimum stats to use it afterwards, and then get your Str & Arc to 30/40 or higher, dipping a few points into Skill along the way. I could write a college paper on this weapon alone, maybe even get a Bachelor's in studying/praising this version. 100/10 Miyazaki's.
- Anonymous
I literally had to make a new character in bloodborne, fight the legend Ludwig, and play with this incredible weapon again just to remedy how mediocre the dark moon greatsword is in Elden Ring. Love Elden Ring, great game, I just felt it was another ds3 moonlight greatsword.
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is this weapon better for a str/arc build or a quality/arc build?
- Anonymous
Hands down the best MGS in any FromSoft game. I am rather disappointed that the variant in Elden Ring doesn't hold a candle to this one given the variety of crazy weapon arts in that game.
- Anonymous
so i used this weapon whith an arcane build obviusly, and i must say that this sword is extremly powerful, mixed whith ranged spells i was able to constantly keep up the presure and due to the cummm chalice i had some pretty high stats along whith 99 arcane. And i think that it is the best looking moonlight sword, but only when transformed. 10/10 beast of a weapon.
- Anonymous
I’m constantly transforming this weapon whenever. Never gets old
- Anonymous
I managed to absolutely whoop orphan of kos with the holy moonlight sword, the magic attacks are OP
- Anonymous
I really Love this Version. It's the best in both Look and utility. It uses QS Bullets instead of durability and FP and the transformation is perfect for BB. Untransformed you have a Claymore like Sword with a really good Charged R2. Transformed it is a pure AR beast that makes every Lothric UGS jelaous.
- Anonymous
This is definitely the prettiest moonlight great sword in the franchise
- Anonymous
Add EverGrace to the trivia section for where the sword is also found
- Anonymous
I am currently om my second run through BB and decided to go SKL/ARC (30/40 now, and will continue to scale arc). Therefore I havent investeret in STR, and only scale 16 which is the minimum barrier for carrying the Holy Moonlight Sword. I am wondering if the Holy Moonlight Sword would fit this build, what say you?
- Anonymous
The more i use this weapon, the more infuriating ds3's interation is. Really, what they were thinking, if they were even using their brains?
Ds3's moonlight greatsword could be compared with zangetsu: both look flashy and fancy but what little they manage to do with their power is underwhelming. And, spoiler alert for late bleach fans, both are fakes (zangetsu's huge butcher knife form was never it's true form).
Meanwhile, this undisputed beast of a weapon could be compared to the blade of olympus in god of war trilogy: both kicks ass from their first appearance onwards, both have great weight lore-wise in their respective games, both are arguably the most powerful weapon in the arsenal and whenever they were put to use, they ensured effectiveness and a damn lot of fun.
10/10 a flawless weapon in bloodborne. Elden ring gonna struggle to make a different weapon with a similar success.
- Anonymous
The more i use this thing, the more infuriating the ds3 iteration becomes for me. You should be ashamed, from.
- Anonymous
Do you need to reach the arcane requirement to one-hand the weapon?
- Anonymous
All this sword makes me wanna yell is “getsuga tenso” but other than that this is probably one of the best weapons in the game.
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Okay, just to summarize because this confused me for a while. This isn't like the Logarius Wheel. You deal 50% of your arcane damage untransformed, 70% when transformed, the beam deals 100% of the arcane damage, and you ALWAYS deal the full listed physical damage regardless of the form. You're not converting physical to arcane like you do with the wheel. This means that the transformed mode will always be stronger in terms of net AR, if only slightly.
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I don't play Bloodborne but i'm curious. Does the special attack from the Holy Moonlight Sword reduce durability? Like how durability gets reduced drastically when you use it in any of the Dark Souls games.
- Anonymous
Does a charged R2 projectile get bonus dmg from blood gems that affect charge attacks?
- Anonymous
Am I the only one that got 2 swords when I picked up the item from the head? I can't find anything online about it happening to anyone else..
- Anonymous
The note that the weapon is missable is incorrect. Maybe it is missable with a different trigger, but I went back to Ludwig's head after killing Lawrence (and all other DLC bosses including Orphan) and was still able to talk to him with Church gear and receive the sword.
- Anonymous
Aah you were at my side all along... My true mentor ,my guiding moonlight!
- Anonymous
This is THE moonlight greatsword.
Feel the pressure of my holy moonlight, suckers.
9/10.
- Anonymous
Sometimes with enemies you can double stagger them with the untransformed charged-> follow up R2, and still get a backstab. Insane damage potential for a str/arc build with mediocre skill
- Anonymous
This is the Greatest Iteration of the Moonlight Greatsword and you can't convince me otherwise
- Anonymous
does arcane scale the damage of the untransformed version or only the transformed one?
- Anonymous
So im guessing that this is good for a strength/Arcane build?
- Anonymous
How to satisfaction:
Step 1. Untransformed charge attack
Step 2. Untransformed R2 straight after
Step 3. Profit
pure arcane build, going for 99. What is the best version of the sword to use?
- Anonymous
I still dont know how the damage works. So in the transformed version (when you press L1) if i hit a basic R1 does it deal arcane damage too? Or just physical?
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What is the best for 50 Arcane Build? Normal version, Lost or Uncanny?
- Anonymous
I was just able to get this from the head even after beating Laurence, not sure why.
- Anonymous
This can be missed before actually killing Laurence. I accidentally killed Simon in the fishing hut (though I don't know if killing him or letting him die made a difference one way or another). I killed Orphan. I picked up Laurence's skull but did not venture back to him to activate him. I went to Ludwig's head, put on church gear and tried to talk to him but he is dead. No sword.
- Anonymous
Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon Best Weapon
- Anonymous
Mooooooooooooooooooooooonliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight
- Anonymous
So I'm on NG+2 and I have 50/50/50 any recommendations for gems? I currently have a little over 800 AR and heard that at my build it can go over 1000 AR.
- Anonymous
I had planned for weeks in advance to bring a character into the dlc early for the HMLS and head straight into the dungeons to purchase the lost version once I did so. Lost version has a waning slot which is difficult to obtain a gem for during the entire story mode and what do you know? The red eyed boom hammer hunter drops a waning gem for the first time in my 4 years with this game! Sh!t was meant to be.
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I love the r2 + r2 + l1 on this weapon. Crazy arcane damage if you have the stamina for it
- Anonymous
Anyone use this in a quality build? I've been thinking of going 50/50/25 using this weapon because I dont want to be just stuck on using str weapons, is it still damaging enough to be viable? Or is it just not worth it without the high arc stat? I dont really care to much about the beams doing insane damage since I plan on only using them when I can get a hit in with both sword and beam
- Anonymous
Do not underestimate a quality build with this weapon. With use of blood bullets and the rally system, the light waves are nearly infinite which even at base arcane racks up damage depending on how much you charge it, not to mention the hit stun. If you are unfortunate enough to face such a build, be even more on guard when the sword isn't transformed, as the viscerals will sustain usage of light waves if they don't take out all your hp. Now just imagine a build that has access to all physical damage types that can use any, cannon, the minigun, flamesprayer, rosmarinus, and a tonritus for good measure. Yes, you could max out the potential of the sword, but I think versatility always wins.
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This sword is like the One ring. Everybody wants it, it's power is always abused, then eventually, it destroys the wielder and searches for another. It also changes sizes to fit the current owner apparently. One sword to rule them all, one sword to find them, one sword to bring them all, and in the darkness BIND them!
- Anonymous
"It seems to be another reappearance of the Moonlight Greatsword" it seems? really, you think it *might* be a reappearance of the Moonlight Greatsword. are you sure?
- Anonymous
Farming the proper blood gems nearly drove me insane (so many defiled amy fights oh my lord) but pushing this thing over 1000ar is well worth it. I just wish arcane wasn't so gimpy in a lot of the PvE areas
- Anonymous
What are the sources on the arcane damage modifiers? They seem... made up.
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What's the recommended build for the offensive stats (for level 120)? Currently I have 25 in Str and Arc while have 15 in skill (level 70). I've looked online but I don't really understand a lot of it.
- Anonymous
hmls vs lhb with all 50's. which is better not counting gems.
- Anonymous
Ah! The MLG is back! Loved this weapon since the King's Field days of FromSoft
- Anonymous
this weapon is disgusting in pvp, never seen anybody that uses this who doesnt r2 spam
- Anonymous
I love this sword. If I could have any Bloodborne weapon IRL, I think I'd choose this.
- Anonymous
does anybody else get a devil may cry feeling from the claymore form of the blade
- Anonymous
Bandages on the blade ruins it for me. I mean, what's the point?
- Anonymous
Easily the best weapon in the game if you have the right stats and gems. Just stupidly powerful. At 50 Strength and 99 Arcane with ~20% ATK up gems, I get 1023 AR. At those stats, the charged R2 beam is the highest damage you can do using a single bullet, even outdamaging the charged R2 arrow from Simon's Bowblade (with 50 Skill/50 Bloodtinge and 27% physical gems). A jumping attack can do over 2000 damage if both the blade and beam hits. The charged R2 plus the charged R2 followup has got to be the highest amount of damage you can do in the shortest time possible in the entire game (again, if both blade and beams hit). On top of all that, most enemies can be stunlocked to death with the L2. Even on NG+7 it slices through health bars like nothing. I'm convinced From put this into the game as a sort of "ultimate" endgame weapon as a reward for people who maxed everything out and want to feel like a god. Even at lower levels though, the amount of stunlock and burst damage is pretty ridiculous.
Absolutely amazing on a hybrid build with 50 ARC and 25 STR, the lightwave projectiles can deal up to 700 dmg depending on the enemy, and that's with average blood gems
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