Ranni the Witch
Ranni the Witch

The Dark Moon Greatsword is one of the legendary armaments in “Elden Ring.” It’s also a recurring weapon that’s been present in almost every game FromSoftware has made since “King’s Field,” though it went by a different name.

Formerly known as the Moonlight Greatsword, the “Elden Ring” version of the weapon functions virtually the same. It shoots blades of moonlight at targets, making it a versatile greatsword that’s great for almost every encounter.

Getting the Dark Moon Greatsword will take some time, however, as it’s locked behind one of “Elden Ring’s” longest quest lines.

Dark Moon Greatsword Location

The weapon can only be obtained after completing Ranni’s quest. This will take players from Caria Manor to the depths below The Lands Between, and it will involve two major boss fights among a few other minor ones.

Thankfully, “Elden Ring” offers some lenience in terms of story quest progression. Here’s a condensed list of all the steps players need to take to complete Ranni’s story.

  1. Talk to Ranni at Ranni’s Rise, past Caria Manor
  2. Pledge allegiance to Ranni as one of her servants
  3. Defeat Starscourge Radahn
  4. Go to Nokron via the crater in Limgrave
  5. Acquire the Fingerslayer Blade in Night’s Sacred Ground
  6. Give the blade to Ranni
  7. Go to Renna’s Rise and use the portal
  8. Pick up Miniature Ranni
  9. Proceed through the Ainsel River area
  10. Speak to Miniature Ranni at a Site of Grace until she replies
  11. Defeat Blaidd’s shade in the Ainsel River
  12. Open the chest next to Rennala at the Raya Lucaria Grand Library
  13. Go to the Grand Cloister in the Lake of Rot past Ainsel River
  14. Use the coffin
  15. Defeat Astel, Naturalborn of the Void
  16. Go to the Cathedral of Manus Celes at the Moonlight Altar
  17. Put the ring on Ranni’s Finger
  18. Pick up the Dark Moon Greatsword

Following all of these steps without interacting with other NPCs related to Ranni may lock players out of the possible alternate endings for their respective story quests. However, Blaidd will still appear in front of Ranni’s Rise at the end of Ranni’s quest.

Blaidd's Armor set in Elden Ring

Blaidd's Armor set in Elden Ring Photo: Elden Ring