The Sampire also typically involves a build where the armor had a decent number of regens, and resists designed to compensate for the penalties from being in Vampiric Embrace (the -pire part of the name). Usually, there's also leeches (especially Life Leech) on the weapon to further stack health regain, and some go even further and spam the necro spell that also gives life leech.
One of the alternate forms (which you will probably use training up the Sampire) is the Whammy, which is the same thing, but using Wraith Form. Wraith form also works good on an archer or Garg thrower build.
Talismans are put into your paperdoll in the upper right corner. Ward removal talismans remove buffs, curse removal remove debuffs, and summons produce a critter that follows you around, but doesn't do anything more than guard (if even that). Bandage and ingot summoning ones bring 10 of the items to your pack (a bandage summoning talisman is very handy if insured, or if "owned" (see below). Many also have crafting bonuses (normal chance only and exceptional chance only, or different numbers for both). There's also a few minor artifact, T-map loot, and library donation talismans that have non-standard effects. (the mana phasing orb from T-maps can be clicked to power a special move when your mana's too low, along with a number of useful bonuses, the Totem of the void is a minor artifact that has 10% LMC, ar random combat property and a summon ability, and the library talismans often have skill bonuses - The ones for Bards, Tamers and Alchemists are really good). "Owned By" talismans occur randomly (even for the ones that you get from the library), and become "owned by" (blessed, effectively) for the first person to equip it. These can fetch a premium if not yet bonded to someone and of a popular type.