Talisman

2D art rendition of a Monkey Paw Talisman

A talisman is a type of amulet. Talismans have their own implicit modifiers that are typically more powerful than those of ordinary amulets. Talismans are inherently corrupted, and therefore cannot be modified with crafting orbs.

Item acquisition

Unlike most other amulets, Talismans don't drop as a regular world drop. Currently, Talismans can only be acquired through specific means:

• Call to the First OnesCall to the First Ones5Tier 1 Talisman
  CorruptedThe Ezomyte, desperate for aid, cried out to the gods. divination card (tier 1 talisman only)
• certain method of obtaining league-specific item (for unique talisman only)

These methods of acquisition were specific to certain (former) league mechanics:

• The Jeweller's Workshop room (and its upgraded variant) in the Temple of Atzoatl (rarely)
• Ritual Grounds node in the Azurite Mine
• Chests in the Immortal Syndicate Transportation safehouse if Jorgin was stationed
• A crafting bench in the Syndicate Research station can transform a non-corrupted, non-influenced amulet into a random talisman if Jorgin was stationed there, keeping the explicit mods of the ingredient
• Chests, War Hoards, and Sergeants with the Talisman symbol through Legions
• Primal IncubatorPrimal IncubatorAdds an incubated Talisman item to an equippable item
  Item drops after killing # monstersTalisman ItemRight click this item then left click an item to apply it. The Incubated item drops after killing a specific number of monsters.
• Chests, with the Talisman symbol through Blights
• Delirium
• Rarely appears as loot from chests in Heists
• Purchasing from Rituals using Tribute
• Beastcrafting recipe (introduced in Bestiary league)

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• Distant memories containing Talismans in Synthesis league (no longer available)

In Talisman league

This section addresses how talismans were obtained in the Talisman league. This is not applicable to the current leagues.

A Bone Rhoa possessed by a Talisman

Talismans were encountered in the wild as a monster 'possessed' by a talisman, visually similar to possession by a Tormented Spirit. Talismans can possess any rarity of enemy and will always spawn possessing one. When the monster is killed, the talisman drops as an item – but if it is not picked up quickly by the player, it will attract another enemy and possess that enemy instead. Each type of talisman grants the monster it possesses extra combat abilities related to its implicit modifier. Monsters only pick up talismans if they're in the Talisman league or an area that normally drops talismans.

There are four tiers of talismans. A talisman's tier level can be determined by the colour of the string in the item graphic: tier 1 talismans have a white string, tier 2 talismans have a black string, tier 3 talismans have a red string and tier 4 talismans have a blue string. Only tier 1 talismans are found in the wild; upgrading to a next tier can be done with placing five of them them into a Stone Altar. Tier 2 talismans are obtained by sacrificing tier 1 talismans, tier 3 talismans are obtained by sacrificing tier 2 talismans, and tier 4 talismans are obtained by sacrificing tier 3 talismans and then fighting the boss, Rigwald, the Wolven King.

The WereclawWereclaw TalismanTalisman Tier: 2+(24-36)% to Global Critical Strike MultiplierCorruptedIt's said to be noble to stand one's ground.
To soak the earth in stalwart blood.
While the First Ones chose to laugh and run
and caper with untamed glee.
- The Wolven King and Monkey TwinsMonkey Twins TalismanTalisman Tier: 3(5-8)% increased Area of EffectCorruptedThe first ones marked their hunting grounds
with blood and piss.
We have tried to paint our future in words.
Now we shall paint with inks of savagery.
- The Wolven King talismans can only spawn in the standard version of Talisman League. The ClutchingClutching TalismanTalisman Tier: 2(15-25)% increased Global DefencesCorruptedFear the children of the First Ones.
Let fear shield your back.
And let the dullard speak of bravery
when the First Ones come for him.
- The Wolven King and LongtoothLongtooth TalismanTalisman Tier: 3(4-6)% additional Physical Damage ReductionCorruptedWe grew contemptuous of our past.
Dismissed the first ones as ignorant and wild.
We were fools and naive children
to turn our backs on our inheritance.
- The Wolven King talismans can only spawn in the hardcore version of Talisman League.

Talismans obtained in the world follow the normal item drop rules. From normal monsters they are the same item level as the area, +1 level from magic monsters, and +2 from rares and uniques.

When sacrificing 5 talismans, each talisman adds a 20% chance of a Talisman of its rarity being the resultant one. So if you sacrifice one white, one magic, two rare and one unique, your odds are a 20% chance of a white talisman, 20% chance of a magic, 40% chance of a rare, and 20% chance of a unique.

Talismans obtained from stone altars are an average of the talismans used, where

• The highest-level talisman is counted three times, $\color[RGB]{163,141,109} H$.
• The middle three talismans are counted twice, $\color[RGB]{163,141,109} [M_1, M_2, M_3]$.
• The lowest-level talisman is counted once, $\color[RGB]{163,141,109} L$.

The obtained item level can be expressed as:

$\color[RGB]{163,141,109} R = {3H + 2(M_1 + M_2 + M_3) + L \over 10}$

(1)

Example: Talismans with multiple highest/lowest item levels ▾ [Expand] ▾

The talismans has the following item levels:

$\color[RGB]{163,141,109} ilvl = [78, 78, 45, 31, 31]$

Find the highest-level talisman:

$\color[RGB]{163,141,109} H = 78$

Find the lowest-level talisman:

$\color[RGB]{163,141,109} L = 31$

The talismans in the middle of these extremes are:

$\color[RGB]{163,141,109} \begin{align} M_1 = 78 \\ M_2 = 45 \\ M_3 = 31 \\ \end{align}$

The resulting ilvl from the possessed monster using equation (1) becomes:

$\color[RGB]{163,141,109} \begin{align} R & = {3 \times 78 + 2 \times (78 + 45 + 31) + 31 \over 10} \\ & = 57.3 \\ \end{align}$

The value will be rounded up or down to nearest integer. In this case it is rounded down to 57.

Talisman base types

Tier 1

Talisman	Possession Effect
Ashscale TalismanAshscale TalismanTalisman Tier: 1(20-30)% increased Fire DamageCorruptedThe fire of the hearth is a docile dog, leashed and tamed. The fire of the First Ones is a ravening wolf, wild and free. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster summons raging spirits.
Black Maw TalismanBlack Maw TalismanTalisman Tier: 1Has 1 SocketCorruptedThe First Ones stalk with us upon this lifelong hunt, and cast their contempt upon those that would make us their prey. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster consumes corpses and summons skeletons when a corpse is consumed.
Bonespire TalismanBonespire TalismanTalisman Tier: 1(20-30)% increased maximum ManaCorruptedThe civilised man must wrestle with the demands of heart and mind. The First Ones share no such struggle. For their Spirit is swift and deadly certain. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster spawns patches of spiking ground that deals damage over time. It also inflicts Bone Roil: a stacking damage over time effect (similar to bleeding, but cant be removed by flasks).
Breakrib TalismanBreakrib TalismanTalisman Tier: 1(20-30)% increased Global Physical DamageCorruptedI stood among the stones And called out to the First Ones; That with tooth and mighty claw, They should tear our enemies asunder. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster emits shockwaves (similar to a shockwave totem) which cause knockback and deals physical damage(?).
Chrysalis TalismanChrysalis TalismanTalisman Tier: 1(20-30)% increased Spell DamageCorruptedThe world of the First Ones is harsh; We struggle on our bellies to survive. But that which imprisons us also changes us And soon we will emerge anew. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster casts either Icestorm, Firestorm or Storm Call.
Deadhand TalismanDeadhand TalismanTalisman Tier: 1(19-31)% increased Chaos DamageCorruptedThe Empire poisons our blood with sweet wine. Poisons our flesh with silk. Poisons our minds with civil lies. Poisons our children with servitude. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster spawns leeches when being damaged, which explode after a short delay on death, dealing chaos damage. Monster itself also explodes on death, dealing chaos damage.
Deep One TalismanDeep One TalismanTalisman Tier: 1(20-30)% increased Cold DamageCorruptedWe have basked in the cloying warmth of servitude. Now the First Ones harden us against the numbing chill of despair so that freedom will not slip through our trembling fingers. - The Wolven King	Ice storm calls randomly strike around the possessed monster.
Lone Antler TalismanLone Antler TalismanTalisman Tier: 1(20-30)% increased Lightning DamageCorruptedThe First Ones thundered over Ezomyr upon hooves of grey and black. The people felt their stamping rage and cowered as the fury rained down. - The Wolven King	Lightning strikes randomly around the possessed monster (similar to storm call)
Mandible TalismanMandible TalismanTalisman Tier: 1(6-10)% increased Attack and Cast SpeedCorruptedThe First Ones hold us between two sharpened blades. That should we stray too far from the path, we find ourselves severed. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster spawns moving curse zones that inflict temporal chains to players and moving zones that apply speed aura to monsters.
Rot Head TalismanRot Head TalismanTalisman Tier: 1(30-40)% increased Fish Bite SensitivityCorruptedTo catch a big fish you need tempting bait. And there is no fish bigger than the Empire, and no bait as tempting as Ezomyr. - The Wolven King	Doesn't do anything special to possessed monsters.
Undying Flesh TalismanUndying Flesh TalismanTalisman Tier: 1+1 to maximum number of Raised ZombiesCorrupted'Sleep when you are weary,' our mothers told us. 'Sleep when you are dead,' our fathers told us. To the First Ones, the slumbering and the corpse are one and the same. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster spawns desecrated ground and summons zombies
Writhing TalismanWrithing TalismanTalisman Tier: 1(20-30)% increased Attack DamageCorruptedFor too long we have crawled in darkness, scavenging through rotten scraps. The First Ones teach us to scavenge until we can hunt, and then never crawl again. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster spawns moving curse zones that inflict Vulnerability, and curse zones that has Added Fire, Cold, and Lightning damage for enemies

Tier 2

Talisman	Possession Effect
Avian Twins TalismanAvian Twins TalismanTalisman Tier: 250% of Fire Damage from Hits taken as Cold DamageCorruptedThe first ones live where they can, where they must. They embrace the frost, the storm, the drought. Waxing and waning, breaking and mending, living with time and happenstance, as must we. - The Wolven King 6 Variants	Possession effect differs depending on a variant of a talisman. Possessed monster summons two Fiery/Frozen/Thundering Locustcallers that cast small and slowly moving in random directions Fire/Cold/Lightning Swarms that deal stackable (from different swarms) damage corresponding to their element.
Clutching TalismanClutching TalismanTalisman Tier: 2(15-25)% increased Global DefencesCorruptedFear the children of the First Ones. Let fear shield your back. And let the dullard speak of bravery when the First Ones come for him. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster summons Totems that cast Essence Drain in a nova, alike Sire of Shards
Fangjaw TalismanFangjaw TalismanTalisman Tier: 2(8-12)% increased maximum LifeCorruptedThe First Ones are the forever ones. There is no dust of the hourglass in their blood. No fissures of weariness in their faces. To drink of their blood is to drink of time itself. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster summons Regenerative Golem and Protective Golem
Hexclaw TalismanHexclaw TalismanTalisman Tier: 2(40-50)% increased Global Critical Strike ChanceCorruptedThe Hunter faced the First One and notched his final arrow. The First One bared its fangs and savoured its final breath. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster spawns areas of Blade Vortexes and Ethereal Knives nova traps
Horned TalismanHorned TalismanTalisman Tier: 2Projectiles Pierce 2 additional TargetsCorruptedThe Empire hides lies and falsehoods Behind a mask of politeness and civility. The First Ones teach us to look through the lies, And that no beast can truly cover their tracks. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster spawn multiple Siege Ballistas
Primal Skull TalismanPrimal Skull TalismanTalisman Tier: 2Regenerate 2% of Life per secondCorruptedWith the will of the first ones in our sinews we shall tear down the walls of Sarn. Yet as is the way of the wildlands, Only the strong may grow stronger. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster summons multiple Meteor Golems that use a magma orb like skill and die after 5 seconds
Splitnewt TalismanSplitnewt TalismanTalisman Tier: 2(4-6)% chance to Freeze, Shock and IgniteCorruptedFrom flesh and ferocity, the First Ones roamed through the realm of Spirit, and into the darkness beyond. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster casts Storm Calls and summons Static Eyes that use lightning tendrils
Wereclaw TalismanWereclaw TalismanTalisman Tier: 2+(24-36)% to Global Critical Strike MultiplierCorruptedIt's said to be noble to stand one's ground. To soak the earth in stalwart blood. While the First Ones chose to laugh and run and caper with untamed glee. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster spawns moving curse zones that inflict enfeeble, chilled, and galvanic frost which deals cold damage over time

Tier 3

Talisman	Possession Effect
Longtooth TalismanLongtooth TalismanTalisman Tier: 3(4-6)% additional Physical Damage ReductionCorruptedWe grew contemptuous of our past. Dismissed the first ones as ignorant and wild. We were fools and naive children to turn our backs on our inheritance. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster casts Proximity Shield and shoots physical projectiles in random directions.
Monkey Paw TalismanMonkey Paw TalismanTalisman Tier: 310% chance to gain a Power Charge on KillCorruptedLook not upon me with fear, my men. Though I seem strange, even monstrous, were you to see with the eyes of your forebears, your hearts would be filled with wonder. - The Wolven King 3 Variants	Possessed monster raises Relentless Rhoas that explode on death.
Monkey Twins TalismanMonkey Twins TalismanTalisman Tier: 3(5-8)% increased Area of EffectCorruptedThe first ones marked their hunting grounds with blood and piss. We have tried to paint our future in words. Now we shall paint with inks of savagery. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster spawns two unique Apes, Soul of Summer and Soul of Winter.
Rotfeather TalismanRotfeather TalismanTalisman Tier: 3(25-35)% increased DamageCorruptedDeath met with the First Ones and demanded they hunt with mercy. For while pain might delight the mind, it does not fill the belly. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster creates a green cloud that continually shrinks player characters, resulting in less damage dealt (and increased taken?)
Spinefuse TalismanSpinefuse TalismanTalisman Tier: 3(6-10)% increased Quantity of Items foundCorruptedWe Ezomytes are beasts of burden bearing wealth of an empire on our backs, growing lean and strong while our masters grow fat and weak. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster spawns small invincible Voidbearers that don't move or rotate and constantly use Incinerate for 20 seconds. Also spawns for 2 seconds raging-spirit-like heads that don't move but attack in close range.
Three Hands TalismanThree Hands TalismanTalisman Tier: 3Gain (6-12)% of Physical Damage as Extra Damage of a random ElementCorruptedWe breed thoughts of single mind, fashion tools of single purpose. While the First Ones bring to bear anything that the wildlands provide. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster creates exploding orbs similar to the Flame/Frost/Stormbearer Bloodline mod.
Three Rat TalismanThree Rat TalismanTalisman Tier: 3(12-16)% increased AttributesCorruptedWhen we free ourselves from the shackles of civilised existence we learn to feed and run and breathe as the First Ones have always done. - The Wolven King	Possessed monster summons a Plague Totem that spawns Poisonous Rats. Spawned rats poison on hit.

Tier 4

Talisman	Possession Effect
Greatwolf TalismanGreatwolf TalismanTalisman Tier: 4<Two random talisman implicit modifiers>CorruptedThe wolf greeted the king, In the light of the harvest moon. The wolf offered the strength of the wild, And the king paid for it in blood.	None. (Monster doesn't pick it up/possess)

Unique talismans

Item	Base Item		Stats
Night's HoldNight's Hold Black Maw TalismanTalisman Tier: 1Requires Level 12Has 1 Socket+2 to Level of Socketed Gems Socketed Gems are Supported by Level 10 Added Chaos Damage Socketed Gems are supported by Level 10 Blind Socketed Gems are supported by Level 10 Cast when Stunned CorruptedIn the light of Solaris, the shadows cower and hide. But every night they gather and grow, and all but the strong and the stupid seek shelter from their grasp until daybreak.	Black Maw Talisman	12	Has 1 Socket+2 to Level of Socketed Gems Socketed Gems are Supported by Level 10 Added Chaos Damage Socketed Gems are supported by Level 10 Blind Socketed Gems are supported by Level 10 Cast when Stunned Corrupted
BlightwellBlightwell Clutching TalismanTalisman Tier: 2Requires Level 28(15-25)% increased Global Defences+(20-30) to maximum Energy Shield +(15-30)% to Fire Resistance +(15-30)% to Lightning Resistance 30% slower start of Energy Shield Recharge during any Flask Effect 400% increased Energy Shield Recharge Rate during any Flask Effect CorruptedLong ago, the ocean was a puddle where a golden fish dwelt, who lit the ocean from within and kept the water fresh. When the sky burned, the fish dived deep, never to return, and the waters turned sour.	Clutching Talisman	28	(15-25)% increased Global Defences+(20-30) to maximum Energy Shield +(15-30)% to Fire Resistance +(15-30)% to Lightning Resistance 30% slower start of Energy Shield Recharge during any Flask Effect 400% increased Energy Shield Recharge Rate during any Flask Effect Corrupted
Rigwald's CurseRigwald's Curse Wereclaw TalismanTalisman Tier: 2Requires Level 28+(24-36)% to Global Critical Strike Multiplier+7% to Unarmed Attack Critical Strike Chance Modifiers to Claw Damage also apply to Unarmed Attack Damage Modifiers to Claw Attack Speed also apply to Unarmed Attack Speed Modifiers to Claw Critical Strike Chance also apply to Unarmed Attack Critical Strike Chance CorruptedI once thought the First Ones were just stories made to scare children. But I've seen what they can do. I've felt it. And now I must live with that terrible knowledge.	Wereclaw Talisman	28	+(24-36)% to Global Critical Strike Multiplier+7% to Unarmed Attack Critical Strike Chance Modifiers to Claw Damage also apply to Unarmed Attack Damage Modifiers to Claw Attack Speed also apply to Unarmed Attack Speed Modifiers to Claw Critical Strike Chance also apply to Unarmed Attack Critical Strike Chance Corrupted
Natural HierarchyNatural Hierarchy Rotfeather TalismanTalisman Tier: 3Requires Level 44(25-35)% increased Damage(10-15)% increased Global Physical Damage (25-30)% increased Fire Damage (20-25)% increased Cold Damage (15-20)% increased Lightning Damage (30-35)% increased Chaos Damage CorruptedJust as the rat cowers before the dog and the dog cowers before Man, so too should we cower before the First Ones and pray we never learn of what comes next.	Rotfeather Talisman	44	(25-35)% increased Damage(10-15)% increased Global Physical Damage (25-30)% increased Fire Damage (20-25)% increased Cold Damage (15-20)% increased Lightning Damage (30-35)% increased Chaos Damage Corrupted
Eyes of the GreatwolfEyes of the Greatwolf Greatwolf TalismanTalisman Tier: 4Requires Level 52 <Two random talisman implicit modifiers> Projectiles Pierce 2 additional Targets +1 to maximum number of Raised Zombies (6-10)% increased Attack and Cast Speed (20-30)% increased Attack Damage (4-6)% chance to Freeze, Shock and Ignite 50% of Cold Damage from Hits taken as Fire Damage 50% of Cold Damage from Hits taken as Lightning Damage Gain (6-12)% of Physical Damage as Extra Damage of a random Element 10% chance to gain an Endurance Charge on Kill 50% of Fire Damage from Hits taken as Cold Damage 50% of Fire Damage from Hits taken as Lightning Damage 10% chance to gain a Frenzy Charge on Kill (15-25)% increased Global Defences (12-16)% increased Attributes (5-8)% increased Area of Effect (19-31)% increased Chaos Damage (20-30)% increased Cold Damage (40-50)% increased Global Critical Strike Chance +(24-36)% to Global Critical Strike Multiplier (25-35)% increased Damage (20-30)% increased Fire Damage (6-10)% increased Quantity of Items found (8-12)% increased maximum Life (20-30)% increased Lightning Damage (20-30)% increased maximum Mana (20-30)% increased Global Physical Damage 50% of Lightning Damage from Hits taken as Cold Damage 50% of Lightning Damage from Hits taken as Fire Damage Regenerate 2% of Life per second 10% chance to gain a Power Charge on Kill (4-6)% additional Physical Damage Reduction (20-30)% increased Spell Damage Implicit Modifier magnitudes are doubled CorruptedI am but a vessel for a greater force. It acts through me. Speaks through me. Decides what lives and dies through me. And will change the world through me.	Greatwolf Talisman	52	<Two random talisman implicit modifiers> Projectiles Pierce 2 additional Targets +1 to maximum number of Raised Zombies (6-10)% increased Attack and Cast Speed (20-30)% increased Attack Damage (4-6)% chance to Freeze, Shock and Ignite 50% of Cold Damage from Hits taken as Fire Damage 50% of Cold Damage from Hits taken as Lightning Damage Gain (6-12)% of Physical Damage as Extra Damage of a random Element 10% chance to gain an Endurance Charge on Kill 50% of Fire Damage from Hits taken as Cold Damage 50% of Fire Damage from Hits taken as Lightning Damage 10% chance to gain a Frenzy Charge on Kill (15-25)% increased Global Defences (12-16)% increased Attributes (5-8)% increased Area of Effect (19-31)% increased Chaos Damage (20-30)% increased Cold Damage (40-50)% increased Global Critical Strike Chance +(24-36)% to Global Critical Strike Multiplier (25-35)% increased Damage (20-30)% increased Fire Damage (6-10)% increased Quantity of Items found (8-12)% increased maximum Life (20-30)% increased Lightning Damage (20-30)% increased maximum Mana (20-30)% increased Global Physical Damage 50% of Lightning Damage from Hits taken as Cold Damage 50% of Lightning Damage from Hits taken as Fire Damage Regenerate 2% of Life per second 10% chance to gain a Power Charge on Kill (4-6)% additional Physical Damage Reduction (20-30)% increased Spell Damage Implicit Modifier magnitudes are doubled Corrupted

Trivia

• Talismans were a prominent part of the league mechanics in Talisman league. After the league ended, most talismans were not added to the core game. With later expansions, Talismans were added as rewards for new content such as delves or the Immortal Syndicate.

Version history

Version	Changes
3.14.0	No longer drop using the well-rolled modifier system.
3.13.0	You can now perform the 5-for-1 recipe on items with outputs that are always corrupted (such as Talismans and Breach RingsBreach RingProperties are doubled while in a BreachCorrupted).
3.12.3	Dropped Talismans in level 68+ areas now drop with higher-tier modifiers on average and with a random Anointed Notable. (Not in patch note) This changes is not limited to Heist, but other sources.
3.5.0	(Not in patch note) Can now turn a rare amulet into random Talisman and keeping explicit mods from Immortal Syndicate encounter in Safehouse, or as random drop
2.5.1	(Not in patch note) Can now acquire level 1 Talisman from Call to the First OnesCall to the First Ones5Tier 1 Talisman CorruptedThe Ezomyte, desperate for aid, cried out to the gods.
2.2.0	(Not in patch note) Talisman is not added to the core game. Despite there is various way to acquire unique Talisman
2.1.0	Introduced to the game.

External links

• Talisman Item Level Calculator (Online)
• Advanced Talisman Item Level Calculator (Spreadsheet)