Two-handed swords in Elden Ring, like with most FromSoftware games, hit hard and hurt a lot. It’s what makes them so fun. If you’re looking to min/max your two-handed build, here’s how to get the Two-Handed Sword Talisman early in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.
The Two-Handed Sword Talisman is located in the Temple Town Ruins to the north of the Gravesite Plain where you begin your new journey. But if you’ve just begun, it’s not so easy to find the path, which passes through caves and over pools of poison. It’s always pools of poison with this game, isn’t it?
Two-Handed Sword Talisman location in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
To quickly track down the Talisman, you have to progress in the game enough to reach the ‘Highroad Cross’ Site of Grace. It becomes available after you clear out Castle Ensis, one of the earliest locations in the DLC. Here’s the map with the directions we’re going to follow:
![two-handed sword talisman elden ring location - map directions](https://www.destructoid.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/two-handed-sword-talisman-elden-ring-shadow-of-the-erdtree-map-full-directions.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
From Highroad Cross, travel north and then follow the path that goes right when you reach the intersection, before the enemy encampment. If you don’t have it already, you should go southeast to unlock the next Site of Grace at the ‘Moorth Ruins’.
From here, head to the lake northeast of the ruins. Enter the cave at the edge of the lake with the friendly gummy worms.
![two-handed sword talisman elden ring location - cave near the moorth ruins](https://www.destructoid.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/two-handed-sword-talisman-elden-ring-shadow-of-the-erdtree-1.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Ignore the enemies in the cave and exit via the hole to the right. Beyond are the aforementioned pools of poison, so keep traveling on Torrent. Make your way further north and into another, massive cave.
![two-handed sword talisman elden ring location - poison pool path to the cave](https://www.destructoid.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/two-handed-sword-talisman-elden-ring-shadow-of-the-erdtree-2.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Exit the cave to find yourself at Rauh Base. Grab the ‘Ancient Ruins Base’ Lost Grace and then head southwest. Ignore the two Golems if you can and keep going. If you can’t get past the Archer Golem without taking some hits, remember that their ankles are their weak points.
![two-handed sword talisman elden ring location - archer golem](https://www.destructoid.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/two-handed-sword-talisman-elden-ring-shadow-of-the-erdtree-3.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Keep moving southwest until you find the map of the Rauh Ruins.
![two-handed sword talisman elden ring location - rauh ruins map location](https://www.destructoid.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/elden-ring-shadow-of-the-erdtree-rauh-ruins-map-location.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
The dilapidated remains of the Temple Town Ruins are nearby, further southwest. Look for a hole in the wall of the ruins on the south side.
![two-handed sword talisman elden ring location - hold in the wall of the ruins](https://www.destructoid.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/two-handed-sword-talisman-elden-ring-shadow-of-the-erdtree-5.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Enter the ruins via the hole in the wall and go up the winding staircase to your right. Climb onto the bridge with the purple fabric draped over the top.
![two-handed sword talisman elden ring location - the first set of stairs leading into the ruins](https://www.destructoid.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/two-handed-sword-talisman-elden-ring-shadow-of-the-erdtree-6.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Drop down onto the exposed corner at the end of the path.
![two-handed sword talisman elden ring location - the corner you need to drop down to](https://www.destructoid.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/two-handed-sword-talisman-elden-ring-shadow-of-the-erdtree-7.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
There’s a Scadutree Fragment nearby, so grab it before returning to the corner where you first dropped down. Once you’re back, drop again onto the platform below and climb the stairs nearby.
![two-handed sword talisman elden ring location - the next stairs leading up](https://www.destructoid.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/two-handed-sword-talisman-elden-ring-shadow-of-the-erdtree-8.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
After the stairs, you’ll run into a Horned Warrior. Defeat him and go up the next flight of stairs.
![two-handed sword talisman elden ring location - horned warrior about to get the business](https://www.destructoid.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/two-handed-sword-talisman-elden-ring-shadow-of-the-erdtree-9.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
In the room at the top of the stairs is a chest with the Two-Handed Sword Talisman.
![two-handed sword talisman elden ring location - the chest with the talisman inside](https://www.destructoid.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/two-handed-sword-talisman-elden-ring-shadow-of-the-erdtree-10.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
That’s it! Enjoy hitting things even harder now. In my experience, I was able to pull off around 200 more damage per swing, making the Talisman upgrade feel pretty significant.