Among the many legendary weapons found in Elden Ring, two stand out as favorites among players looking for both style and effectiveness: Moonveil and Bloodhound’s Fang. These weapons are more than just tools for battle they define entire playstyles and character builds. Whether you’re slicing through foes with precision or leaping in with devastating strikes, the choice between Moonveil and Bloodhound’s Fang can greatly shape your experience. Each weapon offers its own unique strengths and weaknesses, making this comparison essential for players planning their next journey through the Lands Between.
Overview of Moonveil
Weapon Type and Scaling
Moonveil is a katana that excels at Intelligence scaling and is often considered one of the best magic-based weapons in the game. It requires:
- 12 Strength
- 18 Dexterity
- 23 Intelligence
Its base damage scales primarily with Dexterity and Intelligence, making it an excellent choice for spellblade or hybrid builds. The katana class offers quick slashes and fluid combos, which means Moonveil suits players who prefer speed and finesse over brute force.
Unique Weapon Skill: Transient Moonlight
The hallmark of Moonveil is its special weapon skill,Transient Moonlight. This ability lets you sheathe the katana and release a powerful magic projectile when unsheathing, either in a light or heavy attack variant. It costs FP but delivers fast, ranged damage that can interrupt enemies, punish from a distance, and finish off foes who try to run.
Advantages of Moonveil
- Hybrid melee and ranged magical attacks
- Excellent for Intelligence builds
- Fast swing speed and good bleed buildup
- Effective in both PvE and PvP
Moonveil shines in boss fights where keeping distance matters or in PvP scenarios where a sudden projectile can catch your opponent off-guard. Its balance of magic and melee makes it an extremely versatile weapon.
Overview of Bloodhound’s Fang
Weapon Type and Scaling
Bloodhound’s Fang is a curved greatsword that offers powerful scaling in Strength and Dexterity. To wield it effectively, you need:
- 18 Strength
- 17 Dexterity
This weapon excels at dealing massive damage with each swing. Being a curved greatsword, it offers decent attack speed for its size and can stagger most enemies with just a few hits. It’s a favorite among early-to-mid game players because of its high base damage and potential to carry through much of the game.
Unique Weapon Skill: Bloodhound’s Finesse
Bloodhound’s Fang comes equipped withBloodhound’s Finesse, a flashy and mobile skill that allows you to slash backward and reposition quickly. It then chains into a strong lunging follow-up attack that can cover distance and surprise foes. This move is not only powerful but also defensive, as it helps you avoid attacks while still dealing damage.
Advantages of Bloodhound’s Fang
- High damage output with each hit
- Good stagger and poise damage
- Bleed buildup adds to its lethality
- Bloodhound’s Finesse adds mobility and style
Bloodhound’s Fang excels in close quarters and boss fights where spacing and high burst damage matter. It’s also favored by those who enjoy aggressive play with the ability to escape danger quickly.
Direct Comparison
Damage Output
When it comes to raw power, Bloodhound’s Fang tends to outperform Moonveil in pure melee situations. Its strong attacks and scaling mean that each hit counts. However, Moonveil makes up for this with its consistent and fast magical slashes, which deal both physical and magic damage, offering more versatility in different enemy encounters.
Bleed Buildup
Both weapons feature bleed buildup, which is a highly effective status effect in Elden Ring. Moonveil builds bleed faster due to its rapid strikes, while Bloodhound’s Fang takes longer between hits but can finish off targets before bleed becomes necessary due to its high damage per swing.
Mobility and Combat Style
Moonveil allows for a nimble and tactical combat approach. Its lightweight katana swings are fast, and the Transient Moonlight skill adds a ranged option, letting you pick off enemies without over-committing. Bloodhound’s Fang, on the other hand, is more about calculated aggression. Its skill, Bloodhound’s Finesse, is ideal for hit-and-run tactics or repositioning quickly after a strong attack.
Stat Investment
If you’re building around Intelligence, Moonveil is the obvious choice. It works beautifully with sorceries and magic-based buffs. Bloodhound’s Fang, however, works best with quality builds those that focus equally on Strength and Dexterity. This means that depending on your overall character goals, one weapon may naturally fit better into your build path.
Which Weapon Is Better?
When to Choose Moonveil
Moonveil is ideal for players who:
- Want a fast weapon with ranged options
- Are focusing on an Intelligence or magic build
- Prefer a finesse-oriented combat style
- Need a reliable PvP weapon with strong pressure tools
Its ability to quickly punish enemies from a distance makes Moonveil one of the most consistent weapons in high-skill PvP duels, as well as late-game PvE encounters.
When to Choose Bloodhound’s Fang
Bloodhound’s Fang is perfect for players who:
- Want heavy-hitting attacks with mobility
- Are building around Strength and Dexterity
- Enjoy a more brute-force melee experience
- Like stylish, evasive moves that hit hard
It’s a weapon that can handle itself in nearly every PvE situation and offers one of the best early-game power spikes, helping you take on even tough enemies with confidence.
Ultimately, the decision between Moonveil and Bloodhound’s Fang depends on your playstyle, build preference, and the type of gameplay you enjoy. If you love the blend of magic and blade with swift execution, Moonveil will serve you well. But if you prefer a more traditional greatsword experience with powerful attacks and agile maneuvering, Bloodhound’s Fang will likely be your weapon of choice.
Both weapons are top-tier in their respective categories and have been favored by players across all levels of Elden Ring. No matter which you choose, both offer satisfying combat, strong scaling, and a clear identity in how they shape your experience in the game.