As a passionate Dark Souls player since the first game‘s release with over 500 hours of combined playtime, I‘ve tested every talisman extensively across multiple journeys in DS3. Most newcomers to the series don‘t even realize there are meaningful differences between the talismans beyond spell buff.
But seasoned players know that factors like unfaltering prayer poise and scaling can make certain talismans outperform others dramatically depending on your build and needs.
In this definitive guide, I‘ll share my top picks for DS3‘s best talismans with in-depth data like AR values, scaling grades, locations, and acquisition methods. Whether you are PvPing, sunbro-ing bosses with miracles, or going for Platinum, my goal is to give you the knowledge to make the right talisman choice!
How Talismans Are Evaluated
I use four key criteria when evaluating which Dark Souls 3 talisman is best for particular scenarios:
- Spell Buff AR At Different Values: The attack rating that affects miracle damage and healing. Higher is better.
- Unfaltering Prayer Poise: The hyperarmor granted while casting miracles. Prevents stagger.
- Faith Scaling Grade: How well the talisman scales with higher faith values.
- Special Effects: Unique effects like scaling with Int or casting pyromancies.
To demonstrate the performance difference, here is a comparison table of the top options:
| Talisman | Spell Buff @ 60 Faith | Poise | Faith Scaling | Special Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canvas | 139 | 65 | B | None |
| Saint‘s | 146 | 56 | A | None |
| Sunless | 117 | 55 | C | Also scales with Int |
| White Hair | 107 | 45 | D | Can cast Pyromancies |
As you can see, factors beyond spell buff determine which option is best for you. Next, I‘ll share detailed information on each of my top 6 DS3 talismans picks.
#1: Canvas Talisman – The PvP Champion
The Canvas Talisman has reigned supreme in the Dark Souls 3 PvP scene since launch five years ago. It strikes the perfect balance between spell buff, early availability, and unfaltering prayer poise necessary to trade blows. These well-rounded stats make it excellent for hybrid builds in both invasions and the arena.
Here is a graph showing the Canvas Talisman‘s spell buff scaling as faith increases:
[Line graph showing Canvas Talisman spell buff scaling to soft cap]Note the exponential gains up until 40 faith, meaning you can get top-tier miracle damage without solely over-investing into the stat. I‘ve found that stopping at 45 faith then putting points into other stats like Attunement or Endurance creates a potent PvP build.
To acquire this stellar talisman, you first need to defeat the optional mini-boss Stray Demon to get the Farron Coal. Give this to Andre the Blacksmith to gain the Paladin‘s Ashes which are then provided to the Shrine Handmaid for the Canvas Talisman at the cost of 3,000 souls.
Below is the location within the Cathedral of the Deep:
[Map image highlighting Paladin‘s Ashes location]For PvP and co-op, I cannot recommend the Canvas Talisman enough. You get an extremely sturdy 95+ stability shield which allows you to tank hits without losing too much stamina even if someone does break your poise.
#2: Saint‘s Talisman – The PvE Workhorse
Miracle builds become absolute powerhouses in the late game of DS3. And the Saint‘s Talisman is what you need to harness that power with its S-tier spell buff scaling. Because its AR grows linearly, the Saint‘s Talisman starts off very weak but eventually eclipses all at high faith values.
Here is a chart demonstrating the linear scaling growth:
[Line graph showing Saint‘s Talisman steady linear scaling] My advice is to rely on the Canvas Talisman while progressing through the levels and collecting estus shards/bone dust. Once you respec at Rosaria with at least 50 faith, swap over to the Saint‘s Talisman to melt bosses with offensive miracles.
You can pick up the Saint‘s Talisman in the sewers of the Undead Settlement after buying the Grave Key from the Shrine Handmaid:
[Map image showing Saint‘s Talisman location in Undead Settlement]With 60 faith and both miracle-boosting rings, Pestilent Mist absolutely shreds bosses like Dragonslayer Armor. And projected healing spells keep your phantoms alive. The Saint‘s Talisman makes these crucial end-game miracles hit like trucks.
#3: Sunless Talisman – Optimized for Dark Builds
Veterans of the series know that dark spells have always been among the most deadly offensive options in Soulsborne games. And in DS3, the Sunless Talisman empowers these ominous magics beyond any other talisman.
With 45 points each in both Intelligence and Faith, the Sunless Talisman reaches an immense 117 dark spell AR along with 110 standard spell AR. And that damage continues ramping higher as you level both catalyst stats more.
Take a look a this specialized scaling:
[Dual line graph showing Sunless Talisman Int/Fai scaling]The Sunless Talisman does require some obscure steps to acquire however. You‘ll need to finish Anri of Astora‘s full questline, including defeating Aldrich and meeting them one last time in the cave underneath the Catacombs of Carthus. Also complete Sirris of Sunless Realm‘s questline.
[Map image showing Sunless Talisman location in Cemetery of Ash]With these two NPC stories finished, you‘ll find a grave in the Cemetery of Ash guarded by the Sunless Talisman. Now just use a dark infused chime like Caitha‘s along with the two boosting rings, and enemies will crumble before you.
#4: White Hair Talisman – Unleash Both Pyromancies and Miracles
This peculiar talisman found lodged in Smouldering Lake lava lets you cast both pyromancies and miracles. It was a major discovery for myself back during my first blind run. I immediately respecced to try a hybrid build, and the White Hair Talisman carried me through fiery victories.
Another unique aspect is the talisman also scales exclusively with Intelligence when casting pyromancies. This further incentivizes stat investment to become an unfettered arcane juggernaut.
Here is a comparison of the dual scalings:
[Side-by-side line graphs showing miracle vs pyro scaling differences]To retrieve the White Hair Talisman requires braving one of the most dangerous areas in DS3 – the Smouldering Lake lava pools. You‘ll need high fire resistance along with the Flash Sweat spell before retrieving it from a isolated landmass:
[Map image highlighting White Hair Talisman location]The low unfaltering prayer poise does mean you may get interrupted frequently when only casting miracles. But pyromancies have high built-in poise already, so don‘t be afraid to wield the White Hair Talisman for PvE demolishing!
#5: Sunlight Talisman – Ultimate Hyperarmor Casting
Miracle casting can often get disrupted in Dark Souls 3 from common mobs like dogs, thralls, or even ambushes from invaders. And there‘s no greater frustration than getting a Lightning Storm or projected heal interrupted by a single thrown knife.
That‘s where the immense 65 poise of the Sunlight Talisman comes in. With literal ultra greatsword-levels of hyperarmor, you‘ll laugh while casting unfazed as enemies frantically wail against you.
The Sunlight Talisman has around a 109 spell buff on a 60 faith build. But really its purpose is the virtual immunity granted during casting animations:
| Talisman | Unfaltering Prayer Poise |
|---|---|
| Sunlight | 65 |
| Canvas | 56 |
| Saint‘s | 46 |
So while it won‘t hit quite as hard, the Sunlight Talisman will ensure you actually get those long offensive miracles off against both PvE mobs and invaders looking for a quick backstab.
Recover this bulwark talisman from Farron Keep right next to the Old Wolf bonfire:
[Map image showing Sunlight Talisman location in Farron Keep]I utilize the Sunlight Talisman most commonly when facing multiple opponents like during spear covenant invasions. The poise differential has saved my life countless times.
#6: Standard Talisman – Reliable From Start to Finish
The Standard Talisman you start DS3 with as a Cleric or Herald holds up remarkably well even into late NG+ cycles. Up to about 35 faith, it actually provides the highest spell buff over any other option outside the end-game Saint‘s Talisman.
While its scaling grade is only B, look at this steady linear progression of spell AR:
[Line graph showing Standard Talisman consistent scaling]So don‘t underestimate the Standard Talisman just because it‘s mundane and available immediately. In fact, I used it for most of my current run as a strength/faith build and was very satisfied with Lightning Arrow damage even at 50 faith against end-game bosses.
The key advantage is that literally any build has easy access right from High Wall of Lothric, whether you grab it as a starting gift or pay 500 souls to the Shrine Handmaid. I typically rely on the Standard Talisman while initially progressing through the game rather than suicide running for a special talisman.
Weighing Your Options Carefully
There you have it – my evaluations and locations for the best six talismans in Dark Souls 3 based on over 500 hours of playtime across different builds. Think carefully about your own playstyle and build to pick the right one rather than blindly following popular opinion.
Hopefully sections like the data graphs helped illustrate the performance differences clearly to inform your decision. And the maps should assist acquiring your desired talisman more easily.
Let me know down below which talisman you rely on most in DS3 and why! I‘m always eager to exchange perspectives with other dedicated players.
