Venturing through the Lands Between in Elden Ring is a journey fraught with peril, where every advantage counts. Among the myriad of powerful weapons and armors discovered by the Tarnished, a special category of accessories stands out for their potential to redefine a character's capabilities: Talismans. These potent trinkets, reminiscent of the magic rings from Dark Souls or the Caryll Runes of Bloodborne, grant significant bonuses to various attributes and abilities. With the ability to equip up to four of these baubles simultaneously, players can concoct a dizzying array of synergistic builds, from unkillable tanks to spell-slinging glass cannons. In the current landscape of 2026, which includes the impactful additions from the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, knowing which Talismans to hunt down is more crucial than ever for optimizing your path to becoming Elden Lord.
The Bulwark Builds: Defense Through Heft
For those who prefer to stand their ground and laugh in the face of danger, certain Talismans turn the Tarnished into an immovable object.
Verdigris Discus Talisman
This talisman is a dream come true for heavy armor enthusiasts and those who have embraced the art of the 'fat roll.' It provides a buff to overall defense based on your equip load, with the juiciest bonus—a whopping 20% defense increase—kicking in when you hit the 'Overloaded' status. It's a game-changer that makes tank builds not just viable but formidable. Pair this with consumables like the Ironjar Aromatic or hefty weapons like the Ancient Meteoric Ore Greatsword, and you've got a juggernaut build ready to plow through any opposition.
Retaliatory Crossed-Tree Talisman
Introduced with the DLC, this talisman flips the script on dodging. Instead of just avoiding damage, your evasive maneuvers now empower your counter-attacks. It grants a damage buff to attacks performed immediately after a dodge or backstep, transforming you into a master of punishing boss aggression. It’s the perfect tool for an aggressive, reactive playstyle that makes every enemy swing an opportunity.
The Arcane Arsenal: Empowering Spells & Skills
For mages, clerics, and warriors who rely on special techniques, these talismans are the keys to unlocking devastating potential.
Beloved Stardust Talisman
A favorite for spell-spammers, this DLC addition significantly shortens the cast time for all spells. This allows for incredible burst damage and higher DPS, letting you unleash magical hellfire before an enemy can react. The trade-off? You'll take increased damage, cementing your role as a high-risk, high-reward glass cannon. Perfect for those who believe the best defense is an overwhelming, rapid-fire offense.
Carian Filigreed Crest & Shard of Alexander
This dynamic duo is the cornerstone of any build centered on Weapon Skills (Ashes of War). The Carian Filigreed Crest, obtainable early from War Counselor Iji, reduces the FP cost of all skills by 25%, letting you spam your favorite technique more often. The Shard of Alexander, earned later via a poignant questline, boosts the damage of all skills by a hefty 15%. Together, they ensure your skills are both economical and extraordinarily potent. For an earlier, weaker version, the Warrior Jar Shard offers a +10% boost, but it blocks the path to Alexander's superior shard.
Flock’s Canvas Talisman & Graven-Mass Talisman
These are the non-negotiable, bread-and-butter talismans for dedicated spellcasters. The Flock's Canvas Talisman is a must-have for Incantation builds, providing a flat +8% damage increase. Its sorcerous counterpart, the Graven-Mass Talisman, does the same for Sorceries. The real magic happens when you combine them with their lesser variants: the Faithful's Canvas Talisman (+4% to Incantations) and the Graven-School Talisman (+4% to Sorceries). These pairs can be equipped simultaneously, yielding a massive combined +12% damage boost for your chosen school of magic.
The Versatile Powerhouses
Some talismans are so broadly useful they can slot into almost any build, offering universal benefits that are hard to pass up.
Godfrey Icon & Radagon Icon
These two icons form a devastating combo for any build using chargeable attacks. The Godfrey Icon increases the power of charged Spells, Incantations, and Skills by 15%, amplifying your biggest hits. The Radagon Icon, found early in Raya Lucaria Academy, decreases casting time for all spells, allowing you to fire off attacks faster and regain defensive mobility. Together, they enable faster, more powerful charged spells, a combination that can trivialize many encounters.
Gold Scarab Talisman
While not essential for combat, the utility of this classic talisman cannot be overstated. It grants a 20% increase to Runes gained from all kills, acting as the spiritual successor to Dark Souls' Covetous Silver Serpent Ring. It's an incredible boon for early-game leveling, mid-game weapon upgrading, and late-game stockpiling for New Game+ preparations. Slap this on when farming, and watch your Rune count soar.
Quick Reference: Talisman Synergies
| Build Archetype | Core Talismans | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy Tank | Verdigris Discus, Retaliatory Crossed-Tree | Max defense & powerful dodging counters |
| Skill Spammer | Carian Filigreed Crest, Shard of Alexander | Low-cost, high-damage Weapon Skills |
| Incantation Specialist | Flock's Canvas, Faithful's Canvas, Godfrey Icon | +12% damage & stronger charged spells |
| Sorcery Specialist | Graven-Mass, Graven-School, Radagon Icon, Godfrey Icon | +12% damage, faster & stronger charged spells |
| Glass Cannon Mage | Beloved Stardust, Radagon Icon | Ultra-fast spellcasting (with a damage penalty) |
In the ever-evolving meta of the Lands Between, mastering your Talisman loadout is as important as mastering your dodge roll. Whether you're looking to become an impervious fortress, a maestro of magical devastation, or a versatile warrior, there's a combination of these powerful trinkets waiting to perfect your build. So go forth, Tarnished, hunt them down, and tailor your power to carve your own path to destiny. 🗡️🛡️🔥