In Path of Exile 2, selecting the right Runes for your character’s socketable items is crucial for enhancing gameplay. There are five distinct types of Runes available for players to slot into empty sockets: Lesser Runes, Normal Runes, Greater Runes, Soul Cores, and Talismans.
Both Soul Cores and Talismans have specific prerequisites that must be satisfied to unlock their potential drops. While the game briefly touches on this during a quest in Act 1, we aim to delve deeper into the mechanics and functionalities of Talismans.
How to Acquire Talismans in Path of Exile 2
Talismans specifically drop from monsters that are empowered by Azmerian Wisps. These unique encounters can be found throughout the campaign and into the endgame. Defeating these enhanced monsters offers players the chance to claim the corresponding Talisman—an example being a Bear Talisman dropping from a Bear Azmerian Wisp.
For players wishing to increase their odds of encountering Azmerian Wisps during endgame maps, activating the ‘Guiding Light’ Atlas node is essential. Additionally, this chance may be improved through nearby Atlas nodes.
It’s important to note that Azmerian Wisps only become available after completing the ‘Hunt Begins’ quest, which occurs in Act 1 of the campaign.
Alternatively, if players prefer a more straightforward method, they can utilize the Currency Exchange to directly purchase their desired Talisman; however, it’s worth mentioning that Talismans are considerably pricier than Runes, making this an investment.
Utilizing Talismans in Path of Exile 2
Talismans function similarly to Runes and Soul Cores, allowing players to socket them into gear pieces for direct flat buffs. However, unlike Runes and Soul Cores, Talismans are restricted to specific gear types.
For instance, the Bear Talisman can only be socketed into helmets; attempting to place it into body armor will always result in failure. Each Talisman’s description clearly indicates which gear piece it is compatible with.
Once a Talisman is socketed, it is permanently affixed, and the only option is to replace it with a different Talisman.
Complete List of Talismans and Their Effects
In Path of Exile 2, there are eleven unique Talismans, each granting different effects:
| Talisman | Effect |
|---|---|
| Serpent Talisman | Gloves: 5% increased Curse Magnitudes |
| Wolf Talisman | Gloves: 10% increased Magnitude of Bleeding inflicted |
| Boar Talisman | Gloves: Gain 1 Rage on Melee Hit |
| Primate Talisman | Helmets: Minions gain 12% increased maximum Life |
| Stag Talisman | Helmets: 8% increased Exposure Effect |
| Bear Talisman | Helmets: 8% increased Area of Effect |
| Fox Talisman | Body Armors: +2% to Quality of all Skills |
| Rabbit Talisman | Body Armors: 8% increased Rarity of Items found |
| Cat Talisman | Boots: Hits against you have 15% reduced Critical Damage Bonus |
| Owl Talisman | Boots: 5% increased Cooldown Recovery Rate |
| Ox Talisman | Boots: 20% increased Presence Area of Effect |
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