Elden Ring: 15 Best Talismans, Ranked

Highlights

Don’t overlook Talismans in Elden Ring – they offer crucial bonuses to enhance your build and play style.
Look out for specific Talismans like Godfrey Icon or Shard of Alexander to optimize your character’s power.
Some Talismans like Carian Filigreed Crest or Dragoncrest Greatshield can significantly impact your survivability in tough battles.

As a seasoned Elden Ring warrior who’s spent countless hours dodging, parrying, and swinging my trusty two-hander, let me tell you – it’s been quite the journey! And while the game has certainly delivered on the action and adventure front, I must admit that I’ve missed the good old days of wielding a massive bonk-stick without feeling like a sitting duck.

As you traverse the Lands Between in Elden Ring, fighting off strange beasts and seeking out the Great Runes, you’ll encounter a variety of potent weapons, armor sets, and trinkets. Among these valuable items are special accessories called Talismans, which can greatly aid you on your journey.

In the same vein as magic rings in Dark Souls and Caryll Runes in Bloodborne, Talismans provide significant boosts to various characteristics and skills. Moreover, once you reach a certain point, you can simultaneously use up to 4 talismans, allowing for a wide range of customization possibilities.

While some of these Talismans may only provide a minor advantage, others could significantly enhance the potency of your strategy or gaming approach. Consequently, if you’re seeking a new Talisman to optimize your build and transform into an unstoppable Tarnished titan, then be sure to explore these fantastic choices!

Verdigris Discus

Let’s get started by discussing a charm or tool ideal for players who enjoy maneuvering with a sturdy character build, allowing them to roll and dodge attacks more easily. In earlier games such as Dark Souls, being overweight and rolling was often a recipe for disaster, but Elden Ring provides numerous powerful items that cater to heavy builds, making tank-style gameplay quite effective.

A great example of one of these heavy-build friendly items is the Talisman, which adds a buff to your overall defense depending on your weight class, and in this case, the heavier, the better as, if you reach the ‘overloaded’ equip load status, you’ll gain a 20% defense buff, which is not to be sniffed at.

With additions such as portable Ashes of War and other equipment like weapons, you can craft a robust, sturdy character who can endure intense attack waves.

Gold Scarab

The Gold Scarab enhances your Rune accumulation, awarding an extra 20% with each kill. This artifact harks back to the Covetous Silver Serpent Ring from Dark Souls, boosting Rune or Soul gathering in a comparable manner.

The Talisman may not be essential for every character build, yet for beginners, speeding up the leveling process could be a significant advantage, making it a valuable asset.

Discovering this Amulet might prove challenging, yet the rewards are substantial for those desiring rapid progress towards a build that gains viability.

Carian Filigreed Crest

The War Counselor Iji’s Talisman is usually discovered early in the game, nestled in the northern region of Liurnia of the Lakes. This artifact grants a significant advantage for skill usage: it reduces the Focus Point (FP) cost of all skills by an impressive 25%.

Using your weapon skill multiple times without immediately needing to recharge your FP can be a significant advantage, whether it’s during intense boss fights or casual exploration in the open world. This Talisman is particularly important if you’re focusing on a game build that relies heavily on frequent skill usage.

Shard Of Alexander

A different charm specifically enhances your skill proficiency, significantly increasing the potency of all your skills by an additional 15% in terms of damage.

For a character emphasizing sorcery or incantations, this talisman may not be particularly beneficial. However, if you’re focusing on skills or simply prefer using your preferred weapon skill, this talisman significantly boosts the efficacy of your chosen skill.

Obtain the Shard of Alexander towards the end of the game, following the questline of Iron Fist Alexander. Pair this Shard with another item to enhance your regular and potent skill usage. Alternatively, you can get the Warrior Jar Shard earlier in the game, but it provides a smaller bonus (+10% skill damage), and prevents you from acquiring the Shard of Alexander.

Beloved Stardust

If you enjoy casting potent spells rapidly or frequently employing Ashes of War, then this Talisman should appeal to you.

As a spell-caster enthusiast, I’m thrilled about this talisman! It empowers me to swiftly reduce the casting time of all my spells. This means I can unleash potent arcane attacks at an accelerated pace, boosting my Damage Per Second (DPS), and leave even the most formidable bosses or mobs trembling in fear!

There is a slight drawback to this one, as this will also increase the damage that you take from attacks, making you into a bit of a glass cannon, but the trade-off is worth it to have access to quicker spells.

Flock’s Canvas Talisman

As an ardent fan of Incantation builds, I can’t help but sing praises for this Talisman that boosts Incantation damage by a significant +8%. This gem is not just desirable, it’s indispensable for anyone who’s serious about mastering Incantations. If you’re not deeply invested in the world of Incantations, this Talisman might not be on your radar yet, but trust me, it deserves a spot on any list dedicated to enhancing Incantation builds. Its importance within these builds is undeniable.

Obtaining this Talisman isn’t possible until later stages of Millicent’s journey, but trust me, it’s a valuable asset for end-game battles, Player versus Player (PVP) encounters, and New Game Plus challenges.

You might also consider acquiring earlier in the game, which offers +4% increase to Incantation damage. Faithful’s Canvas Talisman can actually be used simultaneously with Flock’s Canvas Talisman, allowing for a whopping +12% Incantation damage.

Graven-Mass Talisman

As a dedicated gamer, I’d put it this way: “This Graven-Mass Talisman is like the steroid for sorcerers! It boosts all my magic damage by an impressive +8%. If you’re aiming to create an unstoppable sorcery build, this talisman should definitely be on your must-have list.”

In the latter stages of the game, you’ll discover a Talisman known as the [Talisman Name]. An earlier, comparable version is the Graven-School Talisman, hidden within Raya Lucaria Academy. Interestingly, you can simultaneously possess both the [Talisman Name] and the Graven-Mass Talisman. This unique combination boosts your sorcery damage by an impressive 12%.

Retaliatory Crossed Tree

If you’ve fought several bosses in Elden Ring, you’re familiar with spending much of these battles dodging attacks from enemies. Until now, rolling was essential merely for survival, but with the introduction of the Talisman, you can now exploit those rolls to gain an advantage.

Equipping this Talisman grants you an enhancement for your attacks. Once you dodge or backstep, these empowered strikes are unleashed instantly, transforming you into a skilled counter-attacker. Essentially, it’s like making the bosses pay for challenging you. After all, as the saying goes, if you dare to confront the king, make sure your aim is true.

Godfrey Icon

The Godfrey Icon Talisman provides an enhancement to both abilities and magical powers, amplifying the strength of Incantations, skills, and Sorceries by approximately 15%. Although not all abilities and spells receive this bonus, many can be empowered for greater impact.

With this extra reward added to the regular boosts (such as those for Incantations, Sorceries, and abilities), your character’s strength could see a significant enhancement.

Radagon Icon

As a seasoned magic user with years of battling powerful creatures under my belt, I can attest to the importance of swift spellcasting. Having a Talisman that quickens casting time is not just a convenience, it’s a game-changer in the heat of battle against an aggressive boss. In one particularly challenging encounter, I remember how every second counted as I struggled to keep up with my foe’s relentless attacks. A faster casting time would have given me the edge I needed to emerge victorious. So, if you’re looking for a powerful Talisman to enhance your spellcasting abilities, don’t underestimate the impact of a speed boost – it could very well mean the difference between life and death in the world of magic.

Mastering a swift exit from a potent enchantment and skillfully evading an attack by moving out of harm’s way just before being struck, can significantly shift the course of a fight to your advantage.

In the initial stages of the game, you’ll discover Radagon’s Icon at a location known as the , and it stands out as one of the most effective Talismans for players building their characters around Sorceries or Incantations. When combined with other suitable items, this Talisman significantly enhances your spellcasting abilities, making your spells not only swifter but also more potent, with increased charge levels.

Erdtree’s Favor +2

As a seasoned player with countless hours spent in the dark and treacherous world of Dark Souls, I can confidently say that Erdtree’s Favor +2 is one of the best all-rounder talismans in the game. With its ability to provide a balanced set of bonuses across HP, Stamina, and Equip Load, it has become an essential addition to my character build.

As a gamer, I can tell you that this enchanted Talisman could provide me with an additional hit point or two, making the difference between surviving a critical blow and getting knocked out. It might also offer a boost in stamina, enabling me to dodge that last-minute attack or heavy roll without slowing me down. On top of that, it may grant extra equip load, preventing me from being bogged down by too much gear. Plus, I’d be able to collect multiple versions of this Talisman throughout the game, allowing me to upgrade its power as my character becomes more powerful and formidable in combat.

Two-Headed Turtle Talisman

If you enjoy playing defensively by protecting yourself with a shield or taking risks with your quick movement and invincibility frames, this talisman is perfect for you since it significantly boosts your endurance, providing an advantage that will enhance your gameplay experience.

Instead of directly gaining extra stamina for work, you’ll experience an enhanced speed in stamina recovery, making it seem as though you always have a plentiful supply of stamina available.

Upgrading to this enhancement significantly boosts your stamina recovery by 22.5%, allowing you to hold your ground for extended periods or deliver more blows without depleting your energy. Regardless of how you choose to employ it, this is an essential Talisman that you should aim to acquire.

Two-Handed Sword Talisman

For fans who enjoy battling without a shield and swinging around a massive two-handed weapon, it was frustrating that Elden Ring didn’t offer any beneficial adjustments for this playstyle. However, Shadow of the Erdtree has addressed this issue effectively, providing players with an enhancement to make this approach more feasible.

In the old ruins of Rauh, there’s a Talisman discovered that grants players an advantage when they opt to wield a weapon with both hands. This enhancement boosts their attack power by 15%, making it worthwhile and feasible to forgo a shield and adopt a more offensive playstyle instead.

As a fan, I can’t help but notice the fantastic harmony these Talismans share with one another, particularly the one known as the [Talismans1] and the [Talismans2]. If you’re aspiring to dominate in melee combat, these Talismans are your secret weapons!

Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman +2

As a seasoned veteran of the Soulsborne series, I can attest that this Talisman is nothing short of extraordinary. In past games, bonuses like this were negligible and hardly noticeable, but with this one, you can truly feel the increase in durability while wielding it. It allows you to withstand several more blows, prolonging the time between having to recharge your Crimson Flask. This is a game-changer for those who, like myself, have spent countless hours navigating treacherous landscapes and battling formidable foes in these challenging games. This Talisman could very well mean the difference between success and defeat for many players, making it an invaluable addition to any adventurer’s arsenal.

During casual roaming around the game world, it’s useful, but it truly shines when I’m going up against a particularly challenging boss – those encounters are the ones where I could really use any edge I can get.

You can’t use the most powerful form of this talisman until later in the game, but less potent versions can be used as substitutes until you get to Elphael, Brace of the Haligtree.

Pearldrake Talisman +3

Much like the Shield, the Mystic Ward provides a significant enhancement to resistance against various damage types. These damages encompass Fire, Holy, Lightning, and Magic elements. This feature proves invaluable in providing broad protection against any elemental assaults, making it exceptionally useful during challenging boss battles.

The Pearldrake Talisman’s shield against damage also combines with particular reductions for specific elemental damages, making it a good idea to team it up with (magic-resistant items), (fire-resistant items), (lightning-resistant items), or (holy-resistant items).

2024-08-12 20:39