What is meant by "when the moon is out" in the Silent Moons Enchant?

The "Silent Moons Enchant" Enchantment states that it effect happens "when the moon is out", but what exactly does this mean?

To be specific:

  • Does it matter where you're located? (inside / outside)
  • Does the weather has any influence? (clear sky or not)
  • Do the Phases of one or both of the moons matter? (moonlight?)
  • Does it use charges when the moon is not out?

Solution 1:

After some quick testing, I have to say that this enchantment currently doesn't work.

I made myself a test dagger with a super high enchanting level so there'd be no doubt of the effect if it did trigger. It was done with a petty soul gem so I can see the draining of charges very easily:

Dagger

Here are the results from tests, I used getav health to see how much damage I did with 1 attack:

Night No Moon
Indoors - 8 damage - charges used
Outdoors - 8 damage - charges used

Day No Moon
Outdoors - 8 damage - charges used

Day with Moon
Outdoors - 8 damage - charges used

Night with Moon
Outdoors - 8 damage - charges used

As you can see from the screen shot, even hitting Heimskr when there were TWO moons out still only did 8 damage.

TWO MOONS

Solution 2:

I don't know if it's been patched or what, but I do know from experience that you could at one point forge the lunar weapons at the forge without having to enchant them. The correct time to forge was marked by a short charging sound when entering the small chamber, a blue aura around the forge and flames, and enlarged moons. I'd done this not long after the game had come out though, and you were unable to just disenchant the weapon back then. I'd tried it again just recently, and whenever the two moons would finally sync, it'd be cloudy and the forge would not work. Whether this is because of the patch or not, I do not know. My test was quite short however, as I am on the console and waiting around for months on end is rather unpleasant, so it is relatively inconclusive. I do know that these weapons CAN be forged if the conditions are met, and will retain that enchantment when crafted. As well, the variation that is crafted ONLY works at night, unlike the crafted variation of the enchantment that works all the time, despite the description.