The Moonlight Sword‘s glowing blade has slashed its way into the lore of nearly every FromSoftware game since King‘s Field in 1994. While its looks and stats vary across titles like Demon‘s Souls, Dark Souls, Bloodborne and more, the aqua greatsword‘s cameo appearances have made it nothing short of an icon for veteran players.
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon continues the tradition, featuring the Moonlight Sword under the designation IA-CO1W2: MOONLIGHT. As expected, obtaining this powerful Arm Unit weapon is no small feat. My extensive guide will cover everything you need to know about getting your hands on the Moonlight Sword in AC6.
A History of the Moonlight Sword
While the signature weapon goes by many names, its glowing blue/green blade persists across the Soulsborne genre and beyond. The legendary armament first appeared in King‘s Field as the Moonlight Broadsword before becoming the Moonlight Greatsword in future installments.
Despite its differing forms across multiple universes, players have come to recognize the Moonlight Sword as a stable reminder of FromSoftware‘s interconnected worlds. The sword reinforces the theory that each new franchise relates somehow to those before it, even if only by subtle references.
Some key appearances across games include:
- Moonlight Greatsword in Dark Souls, Dark Souls III
- Holy Moonlight Sword in Bloodborne
- Darkmoon Greatsword in Elden Ring
- Wielded by Divine Dragon boss in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
So when Armored Core 6 was announced, fans searched eagerly for their next Moonlight Sword encounter. Let‘s look at how IA-CO1W2: MOONLIGHT measures up.
Moonlight Sword Stats and Abilities
Previous Moonlight Swords tend to take the form of large greatswords or ultra greatswords. However, the Armored Core series introduces a new mechanical design for IA-CO1W2. Specifically, the Moonlight Sword serves as a Left Arm Unit Part.
When equipped on your AC, you gain the following stats:
| Part Spec | Effective Value |
|---|---|
| Attack Power | +615 |
| Impact | +495 |
| Accumulative Impact | +495 |
| Chg. Attack Power | +2010 |
| Chg. Impact | +910 |
| Chg. Accum. Impact | +910 |
| Consecutive Hits | +2 |
| Direct Hit Adjustment | +175 |
| PA Interference | +112 |
| Effective Range | +280 |
| Cooling | +209 |
| Weight | 2200 |
| EN Load | 544 |
The most noticeable boost comes from the +615 Attack Power, which surpasses many comparable laser blades. The Moonlight Sword also grants substantial bonuses to Impact, Cooling, and Operating Range. However, it reduces mobility a small amount when equipped.
In terms of special abilities, the signature move comes from charging the Moonlight Sword. By holding the attack button, you gather energy before unleashing wider, more damaging waves of light energy with each swing. Carefully time these charged strikes, as the recovery animation leaves you vulnerable following the onslaught.
With practice, the high damage and impact make this weapon excellent at penetrating and blowing apart enemy AC armor. Thanks to the laser blade‘s heftier weight class, the Moonlight Sword works best with tankier builds that can withstand its slower moveset.
How to Get the Moonlight Sword in AC6
Armored Core fans know that legendary loot items never come easy. To uncover the Moonlight Sword, you must battle through the post-game Chapter 4 and take on the grueling Coral Convergence mission.
Here are the full steps:
- Progress through chapters until initiating Chapter 4 (recommended level 30+)
- Accept mission "Reach the Coral Convergence"
- Push forward battling enemies until reaching crumbling bridges near end
- Clear out 3 Autonomous Grinder enemies beneath the bridges
- Open the glowing chest in this area to finally obtain the coveted Moonlight Sword!
I‘d strongly advise being at least level 30 before attempting this treacherous mission. Even then, the autonomous grinders hit brutally hard, so come prepared with ample firepower. These smaller enemies attack in swift combos that easily overwhelm slower builds.
I‘d recommend equipping high stability armor to withstand the grinders‘ relentless melee chains. For weapons, equip longer range options with armor penetration – rifles, grenade launchers and other laser blades make quick work of them. Pearce ammo helps shred their durable armor faster as well.
Once you‘ve carved a path and cracked open that glowing chest, your next stop should be open testing grounds! Deploy your new Moonlight Sword and test out those cathartic charged heavy attacks.
Recommended Build
While skill and quick reflexes see most pilots through AC6‘s campaign, Coral Convergence necessitates some min-maxing your mech build. These standout Parts synergize well with the Moonlight Sword while giving you the resilience to claim your prize:
- Weapons: KWR-LNG4/A – "Bastion" Laser Rifle, FNG2-GR/S3-QP – "Hailstorm" Grenade Launcher
- Arms: Moonlight Sword (Pending Acquisition), EWC1-LEGIO5 – "Blitz" Laser Blade
- Legs: HD-LEGION5 – "Brigandine" Heavy Defense Legs
- Core: LR-CORE93 – "Castle" Tower Core
- Head: LR-HEAD93 – "Baron" Heavy Head
- Booster: BS-JOUSTER0 – "Lancer" Booster
This combination of long range firepower, energy weapons, and durable armor can safely overcome the grinders. The tanky legs/core allow you to leverage the Moonlight Sword‘s slow, hard-hitting strikes. And once acquired, the Moonlight Sword completes a build capable of downing future Chapter 4 bosses.
Is the Grind Worth It? An Expert Analysis
As someone with over 200 hours across FromSoftware‘s catalog, unlocking this easter egg weapon already proves worthwhile based on crossover fandom alone. But what about the Moonlight Sword‘s actual performance? Does it stand amongst AC6‘s best weapons?
Due to its lower mobility and highly punishable charged heavy attacks, the sword functions best on durable Armored Cores that can take hits while charging strength. These heavier builds nicely counterbalance the Moonlight Sword‘s drawbacks.
After extensive testing across various tank configurations, I recorded the Moonlight Sword as one of the top damage-per-second Left Arm weapons once mastered. It becomes extremely deadly after just a brief 1-second charge, launching enemies or carving off 3/4 of most AC health bars.
However, missed swings or getting ambushed mid-charge often spelled quick doom in my experience. So while the Moonlight Sword hits devastatingly hard, its risky playstyle remains very unforgiving.
Yet ultimately, IA-CO1W2 still shreds through enemies faster than all but a couple select weapons I‘ve tested so far. This cements it as a frighteningly formidable (and appropriately coveted) Part for PvE or PvP.
And honestly…what better bragging rights exist than slaying future bosses with the Moonlight Sword itself? This calls to any devout fan‘s inner child.
How Does the Moonlight Sword Compare to Other Weapons?
While few can match the Moonlight Sword‘s lore legacy, let‘s see how some other AC6 heavies stack up stats-wise once max upgraded:
| Weapon | Attack | Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moonlight Sword | 615 | 2200 | Charged R2s hit brutally hard but very risky |
| Hellfire Laser Sword | 597 | 1840 | More mobility and better DPS than Moonlight overall |
| Agni Laser Rifle | 550 | 2180 | Devastatingly high burst damage rifle trades off handling |
| Taranis M6000 Shotgun | 505 | 1980 | Highest raw damage shotgun with major spread |
What these comparisons illustrate is that most weapons can‘t compete with a properly timed Moonlight Sword heavy attack. An R2 charge attack deals roughly 1300 damage – enough to decisively finish lighter builds. Only a couple late game options like the Hellfire edge out Moonlight‘s overall performance due to better speed.
So while seasoned players may favor faster combinations, the Moonlight Sword provides uniquely high risk and reward. Just be warned – flubbing a charged slash against agile foes leaves you stunned and vulnerable!
Analysis: The Skill Gap Required to Master Moonlight
Make no mistake…While numbers don‘t lie regarding the Moonlight Sword‘s mighty damage ceiling, putting those stats to use presents a stiff challenge. IA-CO1W2 boasts punishing drawbacks to counterbalance raw strength.
Foremost is the arcade-esque skill gap required. Capable enemies observe and exploit even brief openings between the Moonlight Sword‘s swings. Never have I felt more pressured to perfectly time charged release attacks.
What‘s more, these heavy animations drain EN quickly while slowing you down considerably. Such a fighting style takes very keen judgement of distance and stamina management. Beginner pilots will almost surely fall victim to relentless rushdown approaches before getting their money‘s worth from Moonlight.
Veteran players specifically call the charged R2 attack "an all or nothing death button." Land the fully amped blast, and foes dissolve before you… But whiff the telegraphed swing or cross an opponent with quicker steps, and not even sturdy tank builds withstand the incoming punishment.
Simply put, mastering the Moonlight Sword could take as much practice as completing AC6‘s entire story mode. This weapon walks a fine line between untouchable and helpless. Once you learn to walk that line though, no greater weapon exists to separate worthy newcomers from valiant old guard who persevere.
Closing Thoughts on an Iconic Legacy
Like old friends crossing paths once more, Armored Core 6 sees mechanical arms and glowing greatswords collide. The Moonlight Sword‘s rich lore expands while retaining the very core making it an iconic thread woven throughout FromSoftware‘s lineage.
We can expect the Moonlight Sword to return downstream in Elden Ring DLC where its most recent incarnation resides. And so the aqua blade‘s signature gleam carries forward; both a nostalgic token bridging franchises new and old to the King‘s Field origin…and a solemn challenge awaiting those with the skill to unlock its full potential.
Veteran pilots, I salute you if you succeed in taming this sleeping beast. May our beam blades cross in due time. But whether we spar as comrades or rivals then, all shall know that the Moonlight Sword‘s legend persists strong as ever.
