The new talisman items in Path of Exile 2 The Last of the Druids bring more gear choices for your Druid builds. In this article, we'll list the new PoE 2 0.4 Druid talisman weapons and select the best talismans for different builds. 

New PoE 2 Druid Talisman Weapons (0.4 Fate of the Vaal)

In Path of Exile 2, Animal Talismans are a brand-new category of two-handed melee weapons added in 0.4.0 The Last of the Druids Update. With a core focus on enabling shapeshifting combat, they’re essentially the key to switching between human and animal forms for the Druid class. Unlike regular weapons that only boost attack stats, Talismans directly determine which animal you transform into and grant the unique abilities of that form. They require both Strength and Intelligence to equip; you’ll need to meet these attribute requirements first before using them effectively.

How to Use Talismans in PoE 2 0.4?

Talismans grant shapeshifting abilities directly through the weapon itself. You can place talismans into empty rune sockets on your weapons, gloves, or armor. When you socket a talisman into an item, it grants the effects and shapeshifting abilities associated with that talisman. For example, equipping a Wolf Talisman into a weapon or armor grants you the ability to transform into the wolf form and use its unique attack skill.

Once a talisman is socketed into an item, it cannot be removed but can be replaced by socketing a different one. This means you can change your shapeshifting form and abilities by swapping out soul cores in your gear.

Each talisman weapon may also provide additional passive effects. For instance, the Wolf Talisman might increase the bleeding damage you inflict or boost critical damage for allies around you when socketed into specific items like gloves or sceptres.

Are Talismans Exclusive to the Druid Class?

Unlike previous games where shapeshifting was mainly tied to the Druid class or an exclusive skill tree, in Path of Exile 2, any class can equip talismans and use shapeshifting skills. This means that shapeshifting is no longer restricted to just Druids. While Druids have their own flavor and starting point related to animal forms, the ability to shapeshift through talisman weapons is open to all classes.

How to Get Talisman Weapons in PoE 2?

While Path of Exile 2 hasn’t specified exclusive drop locations for Talismans yet, based on the game’s traditional item acquisition mechanics and early access information, there are several reliable ways to get them. First, they can drop randomly from monsters—especially high-level enemies or elite monsters in endgame areas, similar to how other unique weapons are obtained. Second, you can use the "incubator" item system: for example, the Primal Incubator can be applied to equipment, and after killing a certain number of monsters, it will reward a random Talisman. Third, trading with other players is a practical option—you can use in-game currencies like Exalts or Divine Orbs to buy Talismans that match your build, especially if you’re looking for specific animal forms.

For new players, you can also try crafting or upgrading to get usable Talismans early on. Using currency items like Chance Orbs to gamble on weapon bases or utilizing the Well of Souls system in Act 2 to refine weapon affixes can help you get a transition Talisman without spending too many resources. As the game updates, more specific methods for getting Druid talismans may be added here.

List of PoE 2 0.4 Talisman Weapons

Best PoE 2 Talisman Weapons for Different Builds

The selection of a talisman depends on a build’s core mechanics (damage, utility, mobility, support) and playstyle. Below are some top recommendations for both Druid and non-Druid builds in PoE 2 0.4.

1. Bear Build

Bear Talisman is mandatory; it unlocks Bear form, and its helmet effect perfectly boosts the Bear’s signature slam attacks, expanding hit range to clear mobs faster. The sceptre effect further amplifies the Bear’s raw melee power, which scales with physical stats. Pair it with Boar Talisman (socketed in gloves) to gain 1 Rage on melee hits: Rage is the Bear’s core resource, ensuring constant access to high-damage abilities without running dry.

2. Wolf Build

Wolf Talisman is the foundation for Wolf builds. Its glove effect enhances the Wolf’s bleed-over-time damage—critical for stacking bleed to melt tough enemies. The sceptre effect synergizes with the Wolf’s fast attack speed, boosting the chance of devastating crits. The Wolf’s instant dash makes this Talisman a universal utility for all Druids, even those who main Bear/Wyvern, as it solves mobility gaps.

3. Wyvern Build

While no exclusive Wyvern Talisman is listed, the Stag Talisman is ideal. Its sceptre effect directly boosts the Wyvern’s elemental breath. For players hoping for chaos-themed builds, pair it with elemental conversion tools (e.g., Original Sin) to turn lightning into chaos. Add Owl Talisman (socketed in a Focus) for 10% increased Cooldown Recovery Rate—letting you spam breath attacks more frequently.

4. Summoner Build

Primate Talisman is irreplaceable. Socketed in a helmet, it grants minions 12% increased maximum Life—solving the biggest pain point of summoner builds (fragile minions). Its sceptre effect also amplifies minion damage. Pair with Ox Talisman to help minions survive elemental threats like fire explosions or cold beams.

5. Crit Melee Build 

Cat Talisman is a must. Gloves socketed with it gain 15% increased Accuracy Rating—fixing the accuracy shortages common in high-crit builds—while the sceptre effect stacks with other crit modifiers to push crit chance toward 100%. For bleed-focused melee (e.g., Slayer), swap to Wolf Talisman to boost bleed magnitude and critical damage.

6. Spell Caster Build 

Owl Talisman provides 10% increased Cooldown Recovery Rate—essential for casters spamming high-cooldown spells like Fireball or Ice Spear. For skill quality-focused builds (e.g., Arc Witch), Fox Talisman gives +2% to all Skill Quality, which boosts spell damage, duration, or area. The Fox Talisman’s sceptre effect also benefits casters using aura-like buffs.

7. Support Builds 

Prioritize Primate Talisman and Ox Talisman. For curse-focused supports, Serpent Talisman makes curses like Vulnerability or Temporal Chains more impactful. Owl Talisman further boosts teammate efficiency in group play.

8. Mapping/Farming Builds 

Rabbit Talisman is perfect. Socketed in Body Armour, it grants 8% increased Item Rarity—boosting rare/unique drop chances for efficient farming. While non-Druids can’t use Wolf form’s dash, speedrunners often carry a Wolf Talisman as a secondary weapon swap for mobility, even if it adds a click.