When FromSoftware accepted the Game of the Year award at TGA 2022 forElden Ring, it’s safe to say that fans weren’t entirely surprised. This title was an absolute behemoth, bringing the tried and true formula of the Soulsborne games to a never before seen scale and reaching a larger player base than ever before. While this may have been expected, the reveal of FromSoftware’s next game,Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, was a bit more of a surprise. Without a doubt, this game is going to be very different thanFromSoftware’s latest medieval masterpiece, but it’s very likely that the two titles will share at least one iconic feature.
TheArmored Corefranchise has been dormant for a decade now, with the last installmentArmored Core 5releasing way back in 2012. In fact, many players found themselves completely unaware that the mech combat series was created by the same studio that madeElden Ringand became famous for its iconicDark Soulsseries. With that connection now firmly established, players may be wondering what similaritiesElden RingandArmored Core 6: Fires of Rubiconwill have, and there is one commonality that is almost guaranteed.
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FromSoftware’s Moonlight Greatsword
This probable common element betweenElden RingandArmored Core 6is none other than the Moonlight Greatsword. For players that don’t know, the Moonlight Greatsword, or some version of it, has appeared in almost every single FromSoftware game to date (with the exception ofSekiro: Shadows Die Twice). It first appeared as the Moonlight Sword inKing’s Field, FromSoftware’s very first titleback in 1994. Most players probably recognize it as the Moonlight Greatsword from the originalDark Souls, but it was also inDemon’s Souls(and the PS5Demon’s Soulsremake from Bluepoint Games) as the Large Sword of Moonlight.
The Moonlight Greatsword returns in bothDark Souls 2andDark Souls 3, and even makes an appearance inBloodborneas the Holy Moonlight Sword. It also appears in several lesser-known,ancillary FromSoftware games such asEvergraceandNinja Blade. Naturally, this sword made its way intoElden Ringas well, and players may be surprised to know that it has also appeared in previousArmored Coretitles as well, leading many to suspect that it will return inArmored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon.
Elden Ring’s Darkmoon Greatsword
InElden Ring, players are able to use the Darkmoon Greatsword, this installment’s version of the iconic weapon. As though its appearance wasn’t enough to show the reference, its unique weapon art is literally called “Moonlight Greatsword.” This weapon is a powerful Greatsword that scales with Strength, Dexterity, and Intellect. It deals both physical and magic damage and its weapon art further increases its magic attack power and imbues it with frost, also making heavy attacks fire a blade of magical energy akin to the Moonlight Greatsword’s attacks from previous games.
Getting this iconic weapon is no easy task, as players have to progress fairlyfar into Ranni’s questline. Its weapon description drives the legendary nature of the sword home by stating it was “bestowed by a Carian queen upon her spouse to honor long-standing tradition.” This long-standing tradition is of course the way that the sword appears in so many FromSoftware games.
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Moonlight Greatsword in the Armored Core franchise
Unsurprisingly, mostmechs in theArmored Corefranchisedon’t run around using greatswords when there are gatling guns and laser rifles they could be using instead. That said, laser blades are a staple of both the mecha genre and theArmored Corefranchise, and that is where this series manages to fit in the Moonlight Greatsword archetype. Every singleArmored Coretitle in the franchise has a special laser blade weapon called MOONLIGHT, and they tend to be powerhouses when compared to other weapons of the same type. MOONLIGHT first appeared in the originalArmored Coreas LS-99-MOONLIGHT, featuring a large and distinct blue blade and the ability to fire blade waves.
TheseMOONLIGHT weapons inArmored Coreare usually the most powerful laser blades in the game, boasting high attack power, great range, and wider and more devastating blade waves than other laser blades. Just like inElden Ring, they tend to be fairly difficult to acquire, either only being found in late-game missions, being very expensive to purchase, or requiring players to complete certain challenges. Even in games where the MOONLIGHT laser blade doesn’t have the highest attack power, it usually wins out over other laser blades thanks to its large blade size and impressive range.
Will Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon Carry On The Moonlight Greatsword Tradition?
The question remains whether or notArmored Core 6: Fires of Rubiconwill continue the traditionthat started withKing’s Fieldand is still going strong afterElden Ring’s Darkmoon Greatsword. FromSoftware has shown that it isn’t afraid to deviate and make a game without the Moonlight Greatsword, as the weapon does not show up in any form inSekiro: Shadows Die Twice, but it still seems fairly likely that players will be able to attain some kind of MOONLIGHT laser blade inArmored Core 6.
If it follows the trend from previous games, it will be no easy feat to gain access to the MOONLIGHT laser blade, but the reward will be well worth the trouble. The weapon will likely boast high attack power and unbeatable range just like in previous installments, and should keep its trademark ability to fire waves of energy with just a swing of the sword. It’s true thatElden RingandArmored Coreare two very different gamesthat take place in two very different worlds, but the Moonlight Greatsword is poised to tie these two unlikely worlds together.
Elden Ringis available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
