Is talisman melding random?

When going through the caravan, you eventually unlock the ability to meld 3 talismans into one new one.

Does it matter what talismans I meld for the result? For example, if I meld 3 Crag+ talismans will it come out to be a better Crag+? The same question goes for rarities, as in if I meld 3 purples the result will be a purple or better. I haven't noticed anything yet, but I haven't been melding much.

2 Answers

Gaijin Hunter seems to have something on melding:

Mystery Melding
Makes 1 Mystery Charm.
Cost: 1 Frenzy Shard + 3 Pawn/Bishop Talismans

Luminous Melding
Makes 1 Shining Charm.
Cost: 1 Frenzy Crystal + 3 Knight/Rook Talismans

Ancient Melding
Makes 1 Timeworn Charm.
Cost: 1 Vile Frenzy Crystal + 3 Queen/King/Dragon Talismans

Fabled Melding
Makes 1 Enduring Charm.
Cost: 1 Pure Frenzy Crystal + 3 Hero/Legend/Creator Talismans

Halcyon Melding
Makes ??? number of ??? Charms.
Cost: 1 Frenzy Shard, Crystal, Vile Crystal + 3 Pawn~Unknowable Talismans

Juju Melding
Makes ??? number of Timeworn/Enduring Charms.
Cost: 3 Vile/3Pure Frenzy Crystals + 3 Pawn~Dragon Talismans.

Based on that information, it looks like melding works on their respective "tiers". Throw in three of the same tier, get another of that tier.

As for what you get out of it, yeah, that's completely random. So far as I've experienced, and been able to tell, charms can roll with any skill, at any value. I've gotten a +10 Cold Res Mystery Charm, while in 3U, I've gotten an Eating +1 on a Rare10 charm. There's no rhyme or reason, so what you get out of it is a crap shoot.

My gut says that the higher the tier, the better the chance of a higher level skill, like Expert, and the better the chance of a higher value, but I have absolutely nothing to back that up.

Talisman melding is randomized.