Did ANet make staffs useless? - Guild Wars Forums

Isaac Lunoa · May 02, 2006, 06:54 PM // 18:54

It seems to me as though staffs are completely useless now that +5 energy swords and axes are widely available (technically they were useless before, but you needed a HoD sword, which isn't common). If you look at it, a 20/20 Insightful Staff of Enchanting, Defense, or Fortitude would be the same as a +5 energy sword or axe with the same mod and a 20/20 focus -- but with two less energy. Can anyone clear this up?

RotteN · May 02, 2006, 07:02 PM // 19:02

insightfull isn't the only staffhead around ... so no, staffs aren't useless, infact, many casters will still use staffs with +60HP/+10armor/... (any other combo that doesn't include an insightfull head)

VGJustice · May 02, 2006, 07:03 PM // 19:03

Staves and Wands are not totally useless. You can't attack if your monk has a sword (not that wanding things does much damage). So, you have to be careful about using your spacebar, because there's a new risk of accidently moving right next to your enemy group. Which would be bad.

So, it's a toss up between getting 2 more energy or being a little bit safer. An experienced caster wouldn't care so much, but an inexperienced one would find this troubling.

Canadian Bacon · May 02, 2006, 07:30 PM // 19:30

I have always prefered staves over wands and HoD swords, and I don't plan on changing that.

Burakus Lightwing · May 02, 2006, 07:36 PM // 19:36

I use a +60 staff on my ele. I don't feel it's useless. I would never think about equiping a sword with him and I'd rather have the extra +30hp over the +5 energy.

Retribution X · May 02, 2006, 07:36 PM // 19:36

Personally, I'd pick the sword, Because my monk looks chic with a katana, but, suit yourself.

Also, I've NEVER needed to target an enemy in PvE with my monk, cept in pre.

Mandy Memory · May 02, 2006, 11:15 PM // 23:15

staff = +5 energy(+5 armor, +30 health) 20/20 recharge/cast and +1 attributes

sword = no damage +5 energy 20 enchanting(or +5 armor) 20 recharge or 20 cast and +1 attribute

or = no damage +5 energy 20 enchanting(or +5 armor or +30 health) 20/20 recast/recharge

So yes its better in the cases where you use enchantments and want 20/20 recharge, but it lacks in the area where you want +1 attribute, beacuse you cant get that on a sword.

May 02, 2006, 06:54 PM // 18:54	#1
Isaac Lunoa Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Dec 2005 Guild: The Runners Academy [LBS]	Did ANet make staffs useless? It seems to me as though staffs are completely useless now that +5 energy swords and axes are widely available (technically they were useless before, but you needed a HoD sword, which isn't common). If you look at it, a 20/20 Insightful Staff of Enchanting, Defense, or Fortitude would be the same as a +5 energy sword or axe with the same mod and a 20/20 focus -- but with two less energy. Can anyone clear this up?

May 02, 2006, 07:02 PM // 19:02	#2
RotteN Forge Runner Join Date: Jun 2005 Profession: W/	insightfull isn't the only staffhead around ... so no, staffs aren't useless, infact, many casters will still use staffs with +60HP/+10armor/... (any other combo that doesn't include an insightfull head)

May 02, 2006, 07:03 PM // 19:03	#3
VGJustice Desert Nomad Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tyria, cappin' ur bosses Guild: Boston Guild [BG] Profession: R/W	Staves and Wands are not totally useless. You can't attack if your monk has a sword (not that wanding things does much damage). So, you have to be careful about using your spacebar, because there's a new risk of accidently moving right next to your enemy group. Which would be bad. So, it's a toss up between getting 2 more energy or being a little bit safer. An experienced caster wouldn't care so much, but an inexperienced one would find this troubling.

May 02, 2006, 07:30 PM // 19:30	#4
Canadian Bacon Krytan Explorer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Guild: Kingdom of Tyria [KoT]	I have always prefered staves over wands and HoD swords, and I don't plan on changing that.

May 02, 2006, 07:36 PM // 19:36	#5
Burakus Lightwing Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Oct 2005 Profession: W/	I use a +60 staff on my ele. I don't feel it's useless. I would never think about equiping a sword with him and I'd rather have the extra +30hp over the +5 energy.

May 02, 2006, 07:36 PM // 19:36	#6
Retribution X Desert Nomad Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Check behind you again. Profession: N/	Personally, I'd pick the sword, Because my monk looks chic with a katana, but, suit yourself. Also, I've NEVER needed to target an enemy in PvE with my monk, cept in pre.

May 02, 2006, 11:15 PM // 23:15	#7
Mandy Memory Desert Nomad Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Guild: Xen of Sigils [XoO] Profession: W/	staff = +5 energy(+5 armor, +30 health) 20/20 recharge/cast and +1 attributes sword = no damage +5 energy 20 enchanting(or +5 armor) 20 recharge or 20 cast and +1 attribute or = no damage +5 energy 20 enchanting(or +5 armor or +30 health) 20/20 recast/recharge So yes its better in the cases where you use enchantments and want 20/20 recharge, but it lacks in the area where you want +1 attribute, beacuse you cant get that on a sword.