Verified at launch (Sep 1, 2026). Boons and purification are described from official Steam posts and launch-day guides.
What Are Boons?
A Boon is a buff — a damage type, a stat bump, a utility effect — that strengthens your Nephilim. Crimson Moon has two distinct kinds, and confusing them is the most common early mistake:
- Nexus Gate Boons — picked up during a hunt at Nexus Gates (in-run checkpoints). Temporary, stack within that run, gone when the run ends.
- Gear-borne Boons — innate to equipment you've purified. Permanent, they follow the gear into every future run.
The mental model: spend Nexus Gate Boons to adapt to the hunt you're in; build your identity from purified gear.
Nexus Gate Boons (Pick 1 of 3)
As you push through a Ward, you hit Nexus Gates. At each, you choose one Boon from three options — a three-to-one choice.
Use them to reinforce your gear's existing identity — if your weapon already favors fire, grab a fire Boon to push that fantasy further, rather than pivoting to an unrelated effect.
How You Earn Boons at the Hub
Two named hub NPCs turn your loot into power:
- Merida (the historian) takes Lore Scrolls you find in-hunt and rewards you with powerful Boons; she also offers Blessings in exchange for Souls.
- Gajov (the vampire blacksmith) upgrades gear rarity and sells new gear for Souls.
Purify Everything You Care About
Gear recovered mid-hunt is corrupted — unusable until you return to Sanctus Clypeus and purify it, after which it's permanently added to your collection at the Loadout Station.
- Pick-up is a two-way choice on the spot: equip now, or bag it for purification later. You cannot freely swap mid-hunt.
- Bag slots are limited — keep only gear with strong perks or unique effects; don't waste a slot on a minor stat bump.
- Upgrade what you have. Gajov can raise an item's rarity — often better than gambling on the next drop.
- Chase set synergy. Official posts mention armor collections and synergistic gear sets, so purify what rounds out a set over the single highest-rarity piece.
Build Around 1–2 Status Effects
Frost, bleed, and burn are all strong — but pick two and commit. Spreading Boons and gear across three status effects means none reliably trigger. A tight 1–2 effect identity is what makes a build "click," and it's exactly what Nexus Gate Boons should reinforce.
Souls vs Gold (Quick Version)
- Souls — the currency you bring back from hunts (kept even on a failed run), spent at the hub: gear from Gajov, Blessings from Merida, consumables.
- Gold — the long-term, permanent-upgrade currency.
Boons in Your Build
Boons are one of the four build systems, alongside Gear, Weapon Arts, and your chosen Angel. For how they combine into a concrete loadout — including the starter Vanguard path — see Best Builds and Nephilim & Angels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Boons in Crimson Moon?
Boons are buffs that strengthen your Nephilim. There are two kinds: temporary Nexus Gate Boons picked up during a hunt (gone when the run ends), and permanent gear-borne Boons on equipment you've purified.
How do I get Boons?
Pick one Boon at each Nexus Gate during a hunt; turn in Lore Scrolls to the historian Merida for Boons (and Souls for Blessings); and the blacksmith Gajov sells gear for Souls. Gear-borne Boons come from purifying equipment.
How does gear purification work?
Gear found mid-hunt is corrupted and unusable until you return to Sanctus Clypeus and purify it, which permanently adds it to your collection at the Loadout Station. Bag slots are limited, so keep only gear with strong perks or set synergy.