Elden Ring: Where To Get Ranni’s Dark Moon

TL;DR

  • Ranni’s Dark Moon requires 68 Intelligence and deals frostbite damage while dispelling enemy sorceries
  • Complete Ranni’s full questline to access the Moonlight Altar plateau where Chelona’s Rise is located
  • Solve the ‘three wise beasts’ puzzle by finding spectral turtles in three corners of the plateau
  • The spell excels in frost builds and provides unique magical disruption capabilities
  • Expect 8-10 hours for quest completion plus 30-45 minutes for puzzle solving

Acquiring Ranni’s Dark Moon represents one of Elden Ring’s most rewarding magical pursuits, demanding both quest completion mastery and environmental puzzle-solving skills. This legendary sorcery stands among the game’s most powerful frost-based spells, requiring significant investment but offering unparalleled magical disruption capabilities.

Ranni’s Dark Moon sorcery demands 68 Intelligence to cast effectively, making it accessible primarily to dedicated magic builds. When unleashed, it projects a chilling lunar orb that not only inflicts substantial damage but also rapidly builds up frostbite status on impacted enemies. The spell’s unique property of dispelling hostile sorceries it encounters makes it exceptionally valuable against magic-wielding opponents in both PvE and PvP scenarios.

The official item description provides crucial lore context:

Legendary sorcery associated with the Carian queen. Uses the caster as a vessel to incarnate a cold, dark moon, then sends it floating toward foes. The dark moon dispels all sorcery that touches it, and temporarily reduces magic damage negation for those it strikes. The moon was encountered by a young Ranni, led by the hand of her mother, Rennala. What she beheld was cold, dark and veiled in occult mystery.

Strategic applications extend beyond simple damage dealing. The frostbite buildup synergizes beautifully with other cold-based spells and weapons, while the magic negation reduction creates windows for follow-up magical assaults. Against spellcasting enemies and invaders, its sorcery-dispelling capability provides defensive utility rarely found in offensive spells.

Securing Ranni’s Dark Moon necessitates thorough preparation and completion of one of Elden Ring’s most extensive quest chains. Before attempting this pursuit, ensure your character meets the substantial Intelligence requirement and has progressed sufficiently through the main storyline to access key locations.

Ranni’s comprehensive questline must be advanced to the point where you gain access to the Moonlight Altar plateau. This elevated region in southern Liurnia of the Lakes remains inaccessible until specific narrative milestones are achieved through Ranni’s storyline. The journey involves multiple underground regions, boss encounters, and intricate NPC interactions that collectively require 8-10 hours of dedicated playtime for most players.

Character preparation should focus on meeting the 68 Intelligence threshold while maintaining sufficient Mind for FP management and Vigor for survivability. Recommended complementary stats include Dexterity for casting speed and Endurance for armor selection. Equip gear that enhances sorcery potency, such as the Snow Witch Hat for frost spell enhancement or the Graven School/Mass Talismans for general magical amplification.

Common preparation mistakes include underestimating the quest’s duration, neglecting to upgrade an appropriate staff, and failing to allocate sufficient Flask charges to Cerulean Tears. Plan for at least 4-5 Cerulean Flasks to maintain spellcasting endurance during extended exploration and combat sequences.

Upon reaching the Moonlight Altar plateau through Ranni’s quest progression, navigate to the southwestern extremity to locate Chelona’s Rise [1], the tower housing this coveted sorcery. The structure initially appears sealed by magical barriers that can only be dismantled by solving the environmental puzzle referenced in the tower’s inscription.

The solution involves locating three spectral turtles described as ‘wise beasts’ scattered strategically across the plateau’s perimeter. Each ethereal reptile manifests in proximity to groups of ordinary turtles, serving as visual indicators of their general vicinity. Successfully interacting with all three will解除 the magical seal blocking entry to Chelona’s Rise.

Chelona’s Rise and all three turtle locations

Chelona's Rise and all three turtle locations

Chelona’s Rise and all three turtle locations

Strategic turtle location methodology:

  • The initial spectral turtle positions itself precariously on the cliff face directly behind Chelona’s Rise [2]. This elusive creature often proves challenging to spot—methodically scan the vertical rock surfaces using camera panning and look for subtle glowing effects.
  • The second wise beast materializes near the plateau’s eastern edge, concealed among rock formations and vegetation. Approach from the higher ground to gain better visibility of the surrounding area.
  • The final turtle manifests in the northwestern sector, typically positioned near environmental landmarks. Listen for distinctive audio cues that signal proximity to spectral entities.

Common search errors include rushing through areas without thorough investigation, failing to utilize high vantage points for overview scanning, and overlooking audio indicators of nearby magical phenomena. Allocate 30-45 minutes for comprehensive exploration and puzzle resolution.

Mastering Ranni’s Dark Moon extends beyond simple acquisition to sophisticated combat integration. The spell’s slow travel speed demands tactical positioning, while its area denial capabilities create strategic advantages in both player versus environment and player versus player engagements.

Optimal deployment involves using the spell as an opening salvo against magic-wielding opponents. The sorcery dispersion effect neutralizes incoming magical projectiles while the frostbite buildup sets up subsequent attacks. Against bosses vulnerable to frost, the spell can rapidly trigger frostbite status, dealing percentage-based damage and increasing subsequent damage taken.

Advanced rotation strategies include pairing Ranni’s Dark Moon with faster frost spells like Adula’s Moonblade or freezing mist incantations. The reduced magic negation inflicted on targets amplifies all subsequent magical damage, making it ideal for combo initiations. In PvP scenarios, the spell forces opponents to reposition while creating space for follow-up attacks or strategic retreats.

Equipment optimization focuses on frost-enhancing gear and magical damage amplification. The Snow Witch Hat provides a 10% damage increase to cold sorceries, while the Graven Mass Talisman boosts all magical damage by 8%. For dedicated frost builds, combining these with the Magic Scorpion Charm creates devastating magical assault capabilities.

Action Checklist

  • Complete Ranni’s full questline to access Moonlight Altar (8-10 hours)
  • Reach 68 Intelligence and prepare frost/magic enhancing gear
  • Locate Chelona’s Rise in southwestern Moonlight Altar
  • Find three spectral turtles around plateau perimeter (30-45 minutes)
  • Collect Ranni’s Dark Moon from chest inside tower
  • Practice spell integration into combat rotations and combos

No reproduction without permission:SeeYouSoon Game Club » Elden Ring: Where To Get Ranni’s Dark Moon Master Ranni's Dark Moon sorcery with complete quest walkthrough, turtle puzzle solution, and advanced combat strategies