The Magic Scorpion Charm in Elden Ring: A Gamer’s Guide to Power and Peri

April 19, 2025

Key Points

The Magic Scorpion Charm in Elden Ring boosts magic damage by 12% (8% in PvP) but increases physical damage taken by 10% (15% in PvP), making it a high-risk, high-reward item for magic users.
It’s obtained through a complex questline in Liurnia of the Lakes, but players can miss it if they advance another major quest too far.
The charm is ideal for sorcerer builds but requires careful strategy to manage its defensive drawback.
Community feedback highlights frustration with the quest’s complexity, but many praise its power for magic-focused gameplay.

As a gamer diving into the vast Magic Scorpion Charm, perilous world of Elden Ring, you quickly learn that every choice matters—your weapons, your armor, and especially your talismans can mean the difference between victory and a swift return to the Site of Grace. For those of us who’ve embraced the arcane arts, the Magic Scorpion Charm is a tantalizing prize, a talisman that promises to supercharge our spells but demands a steep price in return. From its lore-soaked design to its high-stakes gameplay impact, this charm is a perfect example of Elden Ring’s risk-reward philosophy. As a fellow Tarnished who’s spent hours dodging death in the Lands Between, I’m here to guide you through everything you need to know about the Magic Scorpion Charm—its effects, how to snag it, and how to wield it like a pro.

What is the Magic Scorpion Charm?

The Magic Scorpion Charm is a talisman in Elden Ring that enhances magic damage, making it a must-have for players who rely on spells. However, it increases the physical damage you take, so it’s not for the faint-hearted. It’s especially appealing for gamers who love high-damage, glass-cannon playstyles.

You’ll need to navigate a tricky questline in the Three Sisters area of Liurnia of the Lakes. The process involves finding a specific item in the Altus Plateau and delivering it to a character, but timing is critical—progressing a related major quest too far can lock you out of this reward.

For magic users, this charm can turn your spells into devastating attacks, perfect for taking down tough bosses. But its defensive penalty means you’ll need to play smart, staying out of harm’s way. The community loves its power but warns about the quest’s pitfalls, so plan carefully to add this talisman to your arsenal.

Yesterday I became the first person in the world to beat the Elden Ring DLC using mantle of thorns/briar armor only and just rolling into all the bosses. Horrible spell would not recommend.

Ez climb only 45 deaths gg pic.twitter.com/RVbT73DJrU

— skum (@skumnut) July 15, 2024

Unveiling the Magic Scorpion Charm

Picture this: a talisman crafted for shadowy assassins, shaped like a scorpion fresh from its exoskeleton, its claws gripping a heart pulsing with magical energy. That’s the Magic Scorpion Charm, and its in-game effects are just as striking. It boosts your magic damage by 12% (8% in PvP), making every spell from Glintstone Pebble to Comet Azur hit harder. But there’s a catch—it increases the physical damage you take by 10% (15% in PvP). Weighing only 0.8, it’s a lightweight addition to your build, but its trade-off forces you to rethink your strategy. For gamers who love the thrill of a glass-cannon playstyle, this charm is pure adrenaline. If you’re more of a cautious player, though, it might feel like a deal with a particularly spiteful Runebear.

“This charm turns your spells into boss-melters, but one wrong move and you’re toast.” — Elden Ring Community Member

The Quest for the Charm: A Treacherous Path

Getting your hands on the Magic Scorpion Charm is no walk in Limgrave—it’s locked behind a questline that’s as intricate as a spider’s web. Here’s how to navigate it without tripping over Elden Ring’s infamous quest traps:

Locate the Key NPC: Head to the Three Sisters area in Liurnia of the Lakes, just above Caria Manor. You’ll find a sorcerer in his tower who’s got a thing for puppets. Buy a puppet from him for 1,000 Runes to start his quest.
Deepen the Quest: After the first purchase, he’ll offer a second puppet. Snag it—this step is essential to unlock the next part of the questline.
Hunt for the Amber Starlight: Travel to the Altus Plateau, which you can access by using the Grand Lift of Dectus (you’ll need both halves of the Dectus Medallion). Northeast of the Altus Highway Junction Site of Grace, look for a small hole in the ground. Drop down to find the Amber Starlight.
Claim Your Prize: Return to the sorcerer and hand over the Amber Starlight. He’ll reward you with the Magic Scorpion Charm.

Critical Warning: Timing is everything. If you advance a certain witch’s questline—specifically by delivering a key item found in Nokron—you’ll prematurely end the sorcerer’s storyline, locking you out of the charm. Also, after getting the charm, the sorcerer will ask you to deliver a potion that could derail another major quest. If you want to keep all your options open, avoid this step or use the Church of Vows to atone later. This quest’s complexity is peak Elden Ring, and it’s no wonder so many of us have missed this talisman on our first run.

Wielding the Charm: Strategies for Success

So, you’ve got the Magic Scorpion Charm—now what? This talisman is a game-changer for magic users, but it demands a strategic approach to make the most of its power while surviving its drawbacks. Here’s how to shine as a spell-slinging Tarnished:

Best Builds for the Charm

Pure Sorcerers: High-Intelligence builds that rely on sorceries like Stars of Ruin or Loretta’s Greatbow will see massive benefits. The 12% damage boost can turn even basic spells into heavy hitters.
Hybrid Casters: If you mix magic with melee, tread carefully. The charm’s penalty makes you squishier, so pair it with weapons like the Moonveil Katana that let you keep your distance.
PvP Play: In PvP, the charm’s effects are toned down (8% damage boost, 15% damage taken). It’s still potent, but you’ll need to master dodging and positioning to avoid getting punished.

Mitigating the Risks

Stay Ranged: Use the charm’s boost to keep enemies at a distance with long-range spells. Getting caught in melee is a recipe for disaster.
Boost Defenses: Equip armor with high physical resistance or use defensive spells like Barrier of Gold. Summoning spirits, like the Mimic Tear, can also draw aggro while you cast.
Swap Smartly: Facing a boss with brutal physical attacks, like Malenia? Consider swapping the charm for a defensive talisman, such as the Dragoncrest Greatshield Talisman, to stay alive.

Alternatives if You Miss It

Missed the charm? It happens to the best of us. Try these alternatives:

Graven-Mass Talisman: Boosts sorcery damage by 8% without the defensive penalty, though it’s less potent.
Ritual Sword Talisman: Increases attack power when your HP is full, great for careful players.
Primal Glintstone Blade: Enhances Glintstone sorceries, perfect for pure magic builds.

“Missed the charm? Don’t sweat it—there’s always NG+ or a co-op buddy to drop one.” — Elden Ring Forum Post

Community Buzz: Love, Hate, and Quest Woes

The Elden Ring community has a lot to say about the Magic Scorpion Charm, and it’s a mix of awe and exasperation. On platforms like Reddit, players vent about the quest’s pitfalls: “I was 200 hours in, building an Int-Dex katana mage, and realized I locked myself out of the charm. FromSoftware, why?” Another player praised its power but warned, “It’s a beast for magic builds, but you’ll feel every hit like a truck if you’re not careful.”

Some clever Tarnished have shared workarounds, like giving the sorcerer’s potion to a different character to preserve the witch’s questline. Others suggest trading on community hubs like r/PatchesEmporium if you’re desperate for the charm. The consensus? It’s a fantastic item, but the lack of in-game quest tracking makes it a headache to obtain.

Why the Charm Matters to Gamers

For us gamers, the Magic Scorpion Charm isn’t just a stat boost—it’s a challenge. It embodies Elden Ring’s core ethos: every reward comes with a cost, and every choice shapes your journey. Chasing this talisman forces you to engage with the game’s intricate world, from exploring the misty cliffs of Liurnia to scouring the Altus Plateau for a hidden item. And when you finally equip it, watching your spells obliterate enemies feels like a hard-earned triumph.

But it’s not just about power. The charm’s lore, tied to assassins and scorpions, adds a layer of immersion that makes Elden Ring so special. It’s a reminder that every item has a story, and as players, we’re weaving our own tales with every decision we make.

Final Thoughts

The Magic Scorpion Charm is a shining example of what makes Elden Ring a masterpiece—complex, rewarding, and occasionally infuriating. For magic users, it’s a near-essential tool that can elevate your build to new heights, provided you can navigate its questline and survive its drawbacks. Whether you’re blasting bosses with Comet Azur or dueling in PvP, this talisman offers a thrilling, high-stakes playstyle that’s quintessentially FromSoftware.

So, fellow Tarnished, will you hunt down the Magic Scorpion Charm and embrace its perilous power? Or will you play it safe and leave it for New Game Plus? Whatever you choose, know that the Lands Between reward those who dare to take risks. Grab your staff, plan your quest steps carefully, and let the magic flow—just don’t forget to dodge.