The Moon King

Boss phases

The Shadowmoor castle approach at Night with Thunderstorm (phase 1), Eclipse (phase 2), and Grumble moon (phase 3, where a giant purple grumpy-faced moon fills the sky). The Everflame brazier on the castle's highest tower is a visible arena object in this fight.

1. "The Royal Procession" (100–67%). He rides a floating throne carried by 4 skeleton bearers and is untouchable while the throne is carried (a moon-shield bubble). Each bearer has 40 HP and is Undead. Every bearer poofed drops the throne a notch, and with 2 or more gone the throne crashes, leaving him stunned for 6 s and taking full damage. Then the bearers re-raise (2 at a time). Moonbeam: a silver ring on the target (1.5 s), then a beam hits the wall (15) or dazes a unit. Every 10 s he summons 3 Gloom Wisp. Lightning strikes hit him too.
2. "Eclipse" (67–33%). The sky goes dark, the weather is Eclipse, and he becomes ethereal (holy +50%, non-magic −75%). Mirror Moons: he splits into 3 copies. Only the real one casts a shadow (a readable tell), and hitting a fake poofs it harmlessly. Everflame Tether: telegraph a silver thread snakes toward the Everflame (2 s), then a beam drains the Everflame. At 100% drained, the castle loses 20% HP and the tether resets. Breaking it takes 60 damage to the moon orb in his hand (the weak point). The Sunbell Cleric bell auto-targets the tether.
3. "Grumble Moon" (under 33%). He grows huge and flies in front of the giant moon, and the weather is Grumble moon. Moon Meteors: 3 targeted shadow circles on the wall (1.5 s), then small moon-rocks crash down (12 each). Crescent Slam: he dives at the wall (a 2 s wind-up with the moon behind him flashing) for 40 damage and hovers low for 3 s, so ground units can hit him. Every 15 s the Grumble Moon frowns and all on-screen enemies get +20% speed for 5 s (a vignette telegraph). The lightning from phase 1 comes back.

How to beat The Moon King

Everything in its phase. Pikeman/Knight + Balcony Archers on the bearers in phase 1, Sunbell Cleric, Paladin, and mages for the eclipse (phase 2), and Crossbow Tower, Stormcaller, and Balcony Archers against the flying phase 3 (with ground units during the low hover).

Best counters: Sunbell Cleric and Paladin.

Also works: Pyromancer, Cryomancer, Stormcaller and Ranger.

• It is a boss with three phases. Watch for the big warning signs before each attack.

The Moon King in the campaign

On Normal you'll face one The Moon King over 1 day, spread across 1 wave. Harder difficulty levels send more of them, with more health; Easy sends fewer.

What it looks like

A tall, thin figure in a sweeping midnight-violet cape spangled with stars, over silver armor, with a big silver crescent-moon crown, a pale silver face with a sleepy-cranky frown, dark under-eye circles, a droopy mustache, and a moon-orb scepter. Pajamas under the armor: striped pajama cuffs and fluffy slippers peek out, and the kids spot this before the story reveal. Final gag / reveal: on defeat his armor clatters off, leaving him in pajamas and a nightcap. He sits down, hugs his crown, and admits he's scared of the dark, which hands off to the story's night-light scene. The Grumble Moon turns into a smiling full moon and the Everflame roars brighter.

The elite version

"Waxing Moon": 4 mirrors in phase 2 and meteors come in 5s.

Similar enemies

• Big Bruno, Ogre Chief
• The Brass Colossus
• Frost Wyrm
• Old Mother Hollowbark

See every foe in the enemy almanac, or read the Day 30 walkthrough.