The Axe Talisman is one of the many powerful accessories you can find throughout your journey in the Lands Between. Despite its unassuming appearance and early-game availability, this talisman offers significant combat benefits for many build types when used strategically. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Axe Talisman – from its exact effects and location to the best builds and weapon combinations for maximizing its potential.
Axe Talisman: Basic Information and Effects
What Exactly Does It Do?
The Axe Talisman enhances charged heavy attacks by increasing their damage by 10%. According to its in-game description:
“A talisman depicting an axe and a warrior. Enhances charge attacks. The Lord who led the Long March bore an axe, and his loyal warriors honored him by wielding axes of their own, making them very effective at dealing decisive blows.”
Despite what its name might suggest, the Axe Talisman isn’t limited to axe weapons – it works with any melee weapon capable of performing charged heavy attacks.
How Charged Attacks Work
To understand the value of this talisman, it’s important to clarify what constitutes a “charged attack” in Elden Ring:
- Charged attacks are performed by holding down the strong attack input (R2/RT/right mouse button) until your character fully winds up, then releasing the button.
- The charge time varies depending on your weapon, with heavier weapons typically requiring longer charge times.
- These attacks generally deal more damage and have greater stagger potential than regular attacks.
Important Mechanics to Note
It’s worth noting several important mechanics regarding the Axe Talisman’s functionality:
- The talisman only affects melee charged heavy attacks – it doesn’t boost charged sorceries, incantations, or ranged weapon projectiles.
- It doesn’t affect skills that simply have “charge” in their name (e.g., Ash of War: Charge Forth or Prelate’s Charge).
- The talisman does affect the unique charged heavy attacks granted by roar buffs such as War Cry, Barbaric Roar, and Braggart’s Roar.
- It doesn’t enhance projectiles launched by the charged heavy attacks of weapons like the Frozen Needle, Wing of Astel, or the Dark Moon Greatsword.
Where to Find the Axe Talisman
The Axe Talisman can be obtained very early in your journey, making it accessible to players from almost the beginning of the game.
Location: Mistwood Ruins
The talisman is found in the Mistwood Ruins in eastern Limgrave. Here’s how to get it:
- From the Agheel Lake North Site of Grace near Gatefront Ruins, head east.
- Cross the short footbridge and continue along the road leading to the Third Church of Marika.
- Travel south into the Mistwood forest.
- After passing the area’s Map Fragment, you’ll soon come upon the Mistwood Ruins.
- The entrance to the underground cellar is guarded by a Lesser Runebear (be cautious as this can be a challenging enemy for low-level characters).
- Defeat or avoid the Runebear, then descend into the cellar.
- Open the chest to obtain the Axe Talisman.
This convenient location means you can incorporate this talisman into your build strategy from the early stages of the game.
Best Builds for the Axe Talisman
While the Axe Talisman works with any weapon capable of charged heavy attacks, certain builds and playstyles benefit more from its effects. Let’s explore some of the most effective combinations.
Strength-Focused Builds
Strength builds are natural partners for the Axe Talisman due to their reliance on heavy weapons with powerful charged attacks:
Colossal Weapon Build
- Weapons: Giant-Crusher, Greatsword, Prelate’s Inferno Crozier
- Other Talismans: Claw Talisman (boosts jump attacks), Shard of Alexander (boosts skill damage), Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman (reduces physical damage taken)
- Strategy: Focus on landing fully charged heavy attacks during boss openings while maintaining enough poise to withstand enemy attacks. The stagger potential of these massive weapons combined with the damage boost makes for devastating hits.
Roar-Enhanced Build
- Weapons: Highland Axe, Greataxe with Barbaric Roar, Crescent Moon Axe
- Other Talismans: Roar Medallion (enhances roar attacks), Spiked Cracked Tear (in Wondrous Physick)
- Strategy: Start as Hero or Vagabond class. Use the combination of Axe Talisman + Roar Medallion + Barbaric Roar to create devastating charged heavy attacks with hyperarmor. This build can be assembled very early in the game.
Quality Builds with Charged Attack Focus
- Weapons: Claymore, Zweihander, Nagakiba (weapons with effective charged attacks)
- Other Talismans: Bull-Goat’s Talisman (increases poise), Great-Jar’s Arsenal (increases equip load)
- Strategy: Balance Strength and Dexterity scaling while focusing on timing charged attacks during openings. The increased poise allows you to trade hits effectively.
Synergies and Combinations
To maximize the effectiveness of the Axe Talisman, consider these powerful synergies:
Talisman Combinations
| Talisman Combination | Effect | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Axe + Roar Medallion | Enhances charged attacks from Barbaric Roar, War Cry, etc. | Axe and hammer users |
| Axe + Spear Talisman | Boosts both charged attacks and counter hits | Spears, Great Spears, thrusting swords |
| Axe + Godfrey Icon | Different multipliers for charged attacks and skills | Hybrid caster/melee builds |
| Axe + Shard of Alexander | Enhanced charged attacks and weapon skills | Weapon skill focused builds |
Item Synergies
- Spiked Cracked Crystal Tear: When mixed in your Wondrous Physick, this provides an additional 15% boost to charged attacks for 3 minutes, stacking with the Axe Talisman for a combined 25% increase.
- Royal Knight’s Resolve: This Ash of War temporarily boosts the damage of your next attack by 80%. When combined with the Axe Talisman and a charged heavy attack, the damage output can be tremendous.
Weapon-Specific Synergies
| Weapon Type | Synergy with Axe Talisman | Notable Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Colossal Weapons | Highest raw damage potential | Giant-Crusher, Greatsword |
| Great Spears | Both piercing and charged bonuses | Lance, Treespear |
| Axes with Roar AoW | Multiple damage multipliers | Highland Axe, Executioner’s Axe |
| Weapons with quick charge times | More opportunities to use charged attacks | Daggers, Straight Swords |
Weapons That Benefit Most
While any melee weapon can benefit from the Axe Talisman, here are some standout options:
Top Tier Weapons for Axe Talisman
- Giant-Crusher: The ultimate strength weapon with devastating charged attacks that can stagger almost any enemy.
- Greatsword: Easily obtainable early in Caelid, this colossal sword has excellent reach and powerful charged thrusts.
- Highland Axe: Not only thematically appropriate, but also provides a boost to roar attacks, creating a double synergy.
- Prelate’s Inferno Crozier: Massive hammer with excellent charged attacks and wide hitboxes.
- Claymore: A balanced greatsword with an excellent charged thrust attack that benefits from both Axe and Spear Talismans.
Weapons with Piercing Charged Attacks
For maximum efficiency, consider weapons that benefit from both the Axe Talisman and Spear Talisman:
- Lance: Great reach and powerful charged attacks
- Claymore: The thrust charged R2 gets bonuses from both talismans
- Zweihander: Similar to Claymore with longer reach
- Nagakiba: Exceptional reach for a katana with a powerful thrust
Practical Tips for Using the Axe Talisman
To get the most out of this talisman, consider the following gameplay advice:
When to Use Charged Attacks
- Boss Openings: Learn boss patterns to identify safe windows for full charge attacks
- After Parries: The stun period after a successful parry is perfect for charged attacks
- Staggered Enemies: When an enemy is staggered or knocked down
- Backstab Alternatives: Sometimes a charged attack does more damage than a critical hit
Risk Management
- Poise Management: Higher poise allows you to complete charged attacks without interruption
- Spacing: Use weapons with longer reach to charge attacks from a safer distance
- Timing: Start charging early, anticipating when enemies will be vulnerable
PvP Considerations
The Axe Talisman has different applications in PvP compared to PvE:
Strengths in PvP
- Unexpected Damage: Many players don’t expect the extra damage from charged attacks
- Roll Catching: Delayed charged attacks can catch opponents after their dodge rolls
- Synergy with Roar Attacks: Special R2 attacks granted by roar skills can surprise opponents
Limitations in PvP
- Telegraphed Attacks: Charged attacks are easily telegraphed and dodged by skilled players
- Risk of Counter-Hits: The long windup leaves you vulnerable
- PvP Bug: Some players report the talisman not functioning properly in PvP environments
Comparisons to Other Damage-Boosting Talismans
To put the Axe Talisman’s value in perspective, here’s how it compares to other offensive talismans:
| Talisman | Effect | Ease of Use | Best Situation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axe Talisman | +10% to charged attacks | Medium | Boss punishes, hyperarmor trading |
| Claw Talisman | +15% to jump attacks | High | Mobile combat, quick damage |
| Spear Talisman | +15% to counter thrust attacks | Medium | Counter-hit focused playstyle |
| Shard of Alexander | +15% to skill damage | High | Weapon skill builds |
| Ritual Sword Talisman | +10% damage at full HP | Medium | Early fight advantage |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Axe Talisman work with all weapon types?
Yes, the Axe Talisman works with any melee weapon capable of performing charged heavy attacks, not just axes. However, it doesn’t work with ranged weapons or spell projectiles.
Does it stack with other damage-increasing effects?
Yes, the 10% damage boost from the Axe Talisman stacks multiplicatively with other damage boosters like the Spiked Cracked Tear, Roar Medallion, and buffs like Golden Vow.
Is the Axe Talisman worth a talisman slot?
The value depends on your playstyle. If you frequently use charged heavy attacks or incorporate roar-enhanced attacks into your combat strategy, it’s absolutely worth the slot. For fast-attacking builds that rarely charge attacks, there are better options.
How does it compare to the Godfrey Icon?
While similar in concept, the two talismans affect different things: the Axe Talisman boosts charged melee attacks (R2), while the Godfrey Icon boosts charged skills and spells. They can actually be used together for certain builds.
Can I use it effectively with light weapons?
Yes, though the benefit is generally smaller. Light weapons like daggers have quick charge times, which means you can use charged attacks more often, but the raw damage increase isn’t as dramatic as with heavy weapons.
Conclusion
The Axe Talisman is a versatile and powerful accessory that can significantly enhance many melee-focused builds in Elden Ring. Its location in the early-game area of Mistwood Ruins makes it accessible to players from nearly the beginning of their journey, while its 10% boost to charged attack damage provides a substantial advantage throughout the entire game.
Whether you’re wielding a massive colossal weapon, focusing on piercing attacks with spears, or creating a specialized build around roar attacks, the Axe Talisman deserves strong consideration for one of your precious talisman slots. By understanding its mechanics and synergies, you can create devastating combinations that will help you overcome even the most formidable challenges in the Lands Between.
For players who enjoy the high-risk, high-reward playstyle of charged attacks, this talisman is not just a good choice – it’s an essential cornerstone of an optimized build that can deliver crushing blows to any opponent who dares stand in your way.
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