In Elden Ring, raw skill can only take you so far. When you start facing bosses that hit like freight trains, a few percentage points of extra damage can make all the difference. That’s where talismans come in. These little accessories can turn your Tarnished from “barely surviving” to “obliterating everything in sight.” But with so many to choose from, which ones actually make a difference? Let’s break down the most effective damage-boosting talismans in Elden Ring, and when to use them.
Radagon’s Scarseal and Radagon’s Soreseal
The Radagon line of talismans is all about brute force. The Scarseal gives a moderate boost to Strength, Dexterity, Endurance, and Vigor, while the Soreseal cranks those stats up even higher. The catch? You take more damage in return. For aggressive players who know how to dodge, the trade-off is worth it. Just don’t wear it if you tend to face-tank everything with a colossal sword.
Best for: Early to mid-game melee builds
Location: Fort Faroth (Caelid) for the Soreseal
Claw Talisman
If you love jumping attacks, this one’s practically a permanent fixture. The Claw Talisman boosts jump attack damage, which already has high stagger potential. Combine it with colossal weapons or dual-wielded greatswords and you’ll break posture faster than a knight in full panic roll mode.
Best for: Strength or quality builds
Location: Stormveil Castle rooftop
Axe Talisman
Simple, effective, and easy to overlook. The Axe Talisman increases charged attack damage, which can hit like a truck when fully wound up. It’s perfect for players who like to time their swings and punish openings rather than spam R1s like a panic-stricken invader.
Best for: Strength builds and two-handed weapon users
Location: Mistwood Ruins
Ritual Sword Talisman
A favourite among boss killers. The Ritual Sword Talisman boosts attack power when your HP is full, rewarding clean, calculated play. It pairs nicely with ranged sorceries or cautious melee approaches where you manage to avoid chip damage. It also stacks with other damage-boosting effects, which makes it devastating in the right setup.
Best for: Any build that values precision over chaos
Location: Lux Ruins (Altus Plateau)
Godfrey Icon
This talisman enhances charged spells and incantations, which can make magic builds feel far more explosive. If you’re using spells like Comet Azur, Ancient Death Rancor, or Lightning Spear, the boost adds up quickly. It’s especially strong when combined with other sorcery or faith-scaling items.
Best for: Magic and faith casters
Location: Golden Lineage Evergaol
Roar Medallion
This one boosts roar and breath attacks, which sounds niche until you realise it includes the famous Ash of War “Lion’s Claw” and dragon incantations. Whether you’re role-playing as a dragon priest or just like to make noise, this talisman gives a nice extra punch.
Best for: Strength builds, dragon builds, or anything with roar-type skills
Location: Limgrave Tunnels
Shard of Alexander
No discussion about damage would be complete without this monster. The Shard of Alexander boosts the attack power of all skills. It’s basically the ultimate talisman for anyone who uses Ashes of War regularly. From Rivers of Blood to Lion’s Claw to Flame of the Redmanes, this one makes them all deadlier.
Best for: Every build that uses weapon skills
Location: Completing Iron Fist Alexander’s questline
Flock’s Canvas Talisman
For Faith builds, Flock’s Canvas Talisman is essential. It greatly boosts incantation potency, which turns healing, lightning, and flame spells into serious threats. Pair it with the Erdtree Seal or Dragon Communion Seal to hit harder than most sorceries.
Best for: Faith and dragon builds
Location: After finishing Gowry’s questline in Caelid
Magic Scorpion Charm
If you’re the kind of player who loves melting enemies with sorcery, the Magic Scorpion Charm is your risky best friend. It boosts magic damage but also makes you take more damage in return. It’s perfect for glass-cannon builds that rely on speed and precision.
Best for: Intelligence builds
Location: Questline reward from Seluvis or Pidia
How to Stack Damage Talismans
Yes, most of these can stack, but carefully. The key is knowing what category each boost falls under. For example, the Ritual Sword Talisman (flat boost at full health) stacks with the Claw Talisman (jump attack boost) and the Shard of Alexander (skill boost), since they affect different actions. The only time you’ll cancel one out is when two talismans modify the same multiplier, such as two that both raise general attack power.
Seven Swords Takeaway
The best talisman is the one that fits your playstyle. If you thrive on precision, go for the Ritual Sword or Godfrey Icon. If you live for risk and aggression, pair Radagon’s Soreseal with the Claw Talisman and pray your reflexes don’t fail you. Experiment, mix combinations, and see how much damage you can squeeze out of your build before the next boss even knows what hit it.
