Crimson Moon Builds Guide — 9 Gear Slots, Boons and Weapon Arts

How do builds work in Crimson Moon?

There are no traditional classes. According to the developers’ official builds explainer, every Nephilim is defined by the build they create — combinations of gear, Weapon Arts, Boons and Angels — with the freedom to experiment every time you venture into Gildenarch. Whether you deal overwhelming damage, play defensively, or reward staying on the offensive is entirely up to your loadout.

What are the nine gear slots?

Every Nephilim equips nine pieces of gear: four pieces of armour, two trinkets, a one-handed weapon and shield, and a two-handed weapon. As you explore Gildenarch you discover equipment of increasing rarity — stronger gear improves core stats while introducing Boons that can change how you fight. For what individual slots mean for your character, see the weapons and armor overview.

What are Boons?

Boons are the modifiers carried by higher-rarity gear. Officially they come in several flavors: some increase your damage, others debuff enemies, restore health, regenerate flasks, or reward aggressive play. The developers are explicit that a powerful build is not simply the highest rarity gear you can find — synergy between Boons matters more than raw item level.

What are Weapon Arts?

Weapon Arts are the signature ability system tied to each weapon — a cooldown ability separate from raw stats, so two weapons with similar damage can play completely differently. Picking a Weapon Art that matches the encounter’s attack range is one of the most important build decisions before a boss fight, including the Dead Gods.

What are Nexus Gates?

Mid-hunt, Nexus Gates offer choices that grant temporary Boons — lasting for the rest of that run only. They keep your plan changing on the fly: a build that enters a Ward balanced can leave it specialized.

What are Angels?

Angels are the transformation layer of a build — the angelic powers a Nephilim channels, on top of weapons and Boons. Officially listed as one of the four build pillars, they pair with the temporary Nephilim powers described in the beginner guide.

How do armor sets work?

Matching pieces of armour belong to larger sets; combining them further specialises your build. Launch-week guides report that gear is Purified after a successful hunt, which is how set bonuses become the long-term specialization layer — the lasting counterpart to a run’s temporary Boons.

What should your first build look like?

Start with a coherent idea rather than the rarest drops: one damage direction, one defensive layer, a healing or flask-related Boon, and a Weapon Art you can actually land on bosses. Then let Nexus Gates and loot refine it during the hunt — and if you’re playing with a friend, agree on roles first (co-op guide).