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. Non-unique talismans over ilvl 67 typically drop with a random anoint.
Item acquisition
Unlike most other amulets, Talismans don't drop as a regular world drop. Talismans can only be acquired through specific means:
Call to the First Ones
Call to the First Ones
5Tier 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 IncubatorStack Size: 10Adds an incubated Talisman item to an equippable item
Item drops after killing {0} monstersRight click this item then left click an item to apply it. The Incubated item drops after killing a specific number of monsters.
Shift click to unstack.- Chests, with the Talisman symbol through Blights
- Delirium
- Rarely appears as loot from chests in Heists
- Purchasing from Rituals using Tribute
Talisman basetypes
Item | Stats |
---|---|
Ashscale Talisman![]() leashed and tamed. The fire of the First Ones is a ravening wolf, wild and free. - The Wolven King ![]() | (20-30)% increased Fire DamageCorrupted |
Avian Twins Talisman![]() 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 ![]() | 50% of Cold Damage from Hits taken as Fire DamageCorrupted |
Avian Twins Talisman![]() 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 ![]() | 50% of Cold Damage from Hits taken as Lightning DamageCorrupted |
Avian Twins Talisman![]() 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 ![]() | 50% of Fire Damage from Hits taken as Cold DamageCorrupted |
Avian Twins Talisman![]() 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 ![]() | 50% of Fire Damage from Hits taken as Lightning DamageCorrupted |
Avian Twins Talisman![]() 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 ![]() | 50% of Lightning Damage from Hits taken as Cold DamageCorrupted |
Avian Twins Talisman![]() 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 ![]() | 50% of Lightning Damage from Hits taken as Fire DamageCorrupted |
Black Maw Talisman![]() upon this lifelong hunt, and cast their contempt upon those that would make us their prey. - The Wolven King ![]() | Has 1 SocketCorrupted |
Bonespire Talisman![]() 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 ![]() | (20-30)% increased maximum ManaCorrupted |
Breakrib Talisman![]() And called out to the First Ones; That with tooth and mighty claw, They should tear our enemies asunder. - The Wolven King ![]() | (20-30)% increased Global Physical DamageCorrupted |
Chrysalis Talisman![]() We struggle on our bellies to survive. But that which imprisons us also changes us And soon we will emerge anew. - The Wolven King ![]() | (20-30)% increased Spell DamageCorrupted |
Clutching Talisman![]() Let fear shield your back. And let the dullard speak of bravery when the First Ones come for him. - The Wolven King ![]() | (15-25)% increased Global DefencesCorrupted |
Deadhand Talisman![]() Poisons our flesh with silk. Poisons our minds with civil lies. Poisons our children with servitude. - The Wolven King ![]() | (19-31)% increased Chaos DamageCorrupted |
Deep One Talisman![]() 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 ![]() | (20-30)% increased Cold DamageCorrupted |
Fangjaw Talisman![]() 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 ![]() | (8-12)% increased maximum LifeCorrupted |
Hexclaw Talisman![]() and notched his final arrow. The First One bared its fangs and savoured its final breath. - The Wolven King ![]() | (40-50)% increased Global Critical Strike ChanceCorrupted |
Horned Talisman![]() 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 ![]() | Projectiles Pierce 2 additional TargetsCorrupted |
Lone Antler Talisman![]() upon hooves of grey and black. The people felt their stamping rage and cowered as the fury rained down. - The Wolven King ![]() | (20-30)% increased Lightning DamageCorrupted |
Longtooth Talisman![]() Dismissed the first ones as ignorant and wild. We were fools and naive children to turn our backs on our inheritance. - The Wolven King ![]() | (4-6)% additional Physical Damage ReductionCorrupted |
Mandible Talisman![]() between two sharpened blades. That should we stray too far from the path, we find ourselves severed. - The Wolven King ![]() | (6-10)% increased Attack and Cast SpeedCorrupted |
Monkey Paw Talisman![]() 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 ![]() | 10% chance to gain an Endurance Charge on KillCorrupted |
Monkey Paw Talisman![]() 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 ![]() | 10% chance to gain a Frenzy Charge on KillCorrupted |
Monkey Paw Talisman![]() 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 ![]() | 10% chance to gain a Power Charge on KillCorrupted |
Monkey Twins Talisman![]() with blood and piss. We have tried to paint our future in words. Now we shall paint with inks of savagery. - The Wolven King ![]() | (5-8)% increased Area of EffectCorrupted |
Primal Skull Talisman![]() 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 ![]() | Regenerate 2% of Life per secondCorrupted |
Rot Head Talisman![]() And there is no fish bigger than the Empire, and no bait as tempting as Ezomyr. - The Wolven King ![]() | (30-40)% increased Fish Bite SensitivityCorrupted |
Rotfeather Talisman![]() and demanded they hunt with mercy. For while pain might delight the mind, it does not fill the belly. - The Wolven King ![]() | (25-35)% increased DamageCorrupted |
Spinefuse Talisman![]() bearing wealth of an empire on our backs, growing lean and strong while our masters grow fat and weak. - The Wolven King ![]() | (6-10)% increased Quantity of Items foundCorrupted |
Splitnewt Talisman![]() the First Ones roamed through the realm of Spirit, and into the darkness beyond. - The Wolven King ![]() | (4-6)% chance to Freeze, Shock and IgniteCorrupted |
Three Hands Talisman![]() fashion tools of single purpose. While the First Ones bring to bear anything that the wildlands provide. - The Wolven King ![]() | Gain (6-12)% of Physical Damage as Extra Damage of a random ElementCorrupted |
Three Rat Talisman![]() of civilised existence we learn to feed and run and breathe as the First Ones have always done. - The Wolven King ![]() | (12-16)% increased AttributesCorrupted |
Undying Flesh Talisman![]() '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 ![]() | +1 to maximum number of Raised ZombiesCorrupted |
Wereclaw Talisman![]() To soak the earth in stalwart blood. While the First Ones chose to laugh and run and caper with untamed glee. - The Wolven King ![]() | +(24-36)% to Global Critical Strike MultiplierCorrupted |
Writhing Talisman![]() scavenging through rotten scraps. The First Ones teach us to scavenge until we can hunt, and then never crawl again. - The Wolven King ![]() | (20-30)% increased Attack DamageCorrupted |
Unique talismans
Item | Base Item | ![]() | Stats | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Night's Hold![]() Black Maw TalismanTalisman Tier: 1 Requires 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 StunnedCorruptedIn 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 StunnedCorrupted | ||||
Blightwell![]() Clutching TalismanTalisman Tier: 2 Requires Level 28(15-25)% increased Global Defences+(20-30) to maximum Energy Shield +(15-30)% to Fire Resistance +(15-30)% to Lightning Resistance 50% slower start of Energy Shield Recharge during any Flask Effect (150-200)% increased Energy Shield Recharge Rate during any Flask EffectCorruptedLong 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 50% slower start of Energy Shield Recharge during any Flask Effect (150-200)% increased Energy Shield Recharge Rate during any Flask EffectCorrupted | ||||
Rigwald's Curse![]() Wereclaw TalismanTalisman Tier: 2 Requires Level 28+(24-36)% to Global Critical Strike Multiplier+7% to Unarmed Melee Attack Critical Strike Chance Modifiers to Claw Damage also apply to Unarmed Attack Damage with Melee Skills Modifiers to Claw Attack Speed also apply to Unarmed Attack Speed with Melee Skills Modifiers to Claw Critical Strike Chance also apply to Unarmed Critical Strike Chance with Melee SkillsCorruptedI 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 Melee Attack Critical Strike Chance Modifiers to Claw Damage also apply to Unarmed Attack Damage with Melee Skills Modifiers to Claw Attack Speed also apply to Unarmed Attack Speed with Melee Skills Modifiers to Claw Critical Strike Chance also apply to Unarmed Critical Strike Chance with Melee SkillsCorrupted | ||||
Natural Hierarchy![]() Rotfeather TalismanTalisman Tier: 3 Requires 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 DamageCorruptedJust 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 DamageCorrupted | ||||
Eyes of the Greatwolf![]() Greatwolf TalismanTalisman Tier: 4 Requires Level 52
It acts through me. Speaks through me. Decides what lives and dies through me. And will change the world through me. ![]() | Greatwolf Talisman | 52 |
|
Talisman possession effects
These effects occur while an enemy is holding a Talisman. This only occurs in Delve.
Tier 1
Talisman | Possession Effect |
---|---|
Ashscale Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 can't be removed by flasks). |
Breakrib Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() '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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 ![]() |
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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 ![]() |
Tier 3
Talisman | Possession Effect |
---|---|
Longtooth Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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 Talisman![]() 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) |
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.
In Talisman league

This article describes historical game content.

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.[1]
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 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.[2]
Talismans obtained from stone altars are an average of the talismans used,[3] where
- The highest-level talisman is counted three times,
- The middle three talismans are counted twice,
- The lowest-level talisman is counted once,
The obtained item level can be expressed as:
The talismans has the following item levels:
Find the highest-level talisman:
Find the lowest-level talisman:
The talismans in the middle of these extremes are:
The resulting ilvl from the possessed monster using equation 1 becomes:
The value will be rounded up or down to nearest integer. In this case it is rounded down to 57.
Version history
Version | Changes |
---|---|
3.20.0 |
|
3.14.0 |
|
3.13.0 |
|
3.12.3 | |
3.5.0 |
|
2.5.1 |
|
2.2.0 |
|
2.1.0 |
|
References
- ↑ Rory_Rackham (June 11, 2018). "[Bug?] Undocumented massive nerf/removal of a really fun mechanic". reddit. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
- ↑ Bex_GGG (December 22, 2015). "Recent Community Questions Answered!". Official Path of Exile Forums. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
- ↑ Bex_GGG (December 15, 2015). "Talisman and Poison Questions and Answers". Official Path of Exile Forums. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
- ↑ Jatin_GGG (October 7, 2020). "Re: talismans not annointed". Official Path of Exile forums. Retrieved October 7, 2020.