Are staffs are inferior to wands? - Page 3 - Guild Wars Forums

Shamblemonkee · May 23, 2005, 10:20 AM // 10:20

I haven't found a decent wand in ages (well one better than my current stave)

My N/Me15 has a Purple (can't remember the name) 8-13 dmg +8 energy +4 armor and a chance to reduce skill recharge times.

I've found munc better foci but all have required attributes I don't have, like wise with wands. It's pretty frustrating.

taion · May 23, 2005, 10:56 AM // 10:56

The main attraction of the wand/focus combo is that it's relatively easy to get an optimal combination, especially since the late-game collectors give perfectly tweaked wands and foci. To reiterate earlier posts, staves have greater potential and customisability, but it's something you'd have to work for.

Asplode · May 23, 2005, 04:05 PM // 16:05

My current Staff (pst Asp Lode if you wanna sell me some nice part ;D):
+10 Energy
11-22 fire damage (req. 9 fire magic)
+2 Energy staff head (q.q that I can't find anyone selling higher)
20% chance of faster casting speed with fire magic
20% chance of faster skill recharge with fire magic
+24 health

My wand/focus before it:
Wand:
11-22 damage (req. 9 fire magic)
20% chance of faster skill recharge with fire magic
Focus:
+11 Energy (req. 11 fire magic)
6% chance of faster casting speed

So in conclusion my current staff is a tad better than my previous wand/focus combination, and I'm happy.

Oh, and a note...don't dye your staves, they end up looking the EXACT same. Squandered a black dye finding this out.

Lim-Dul · May 23, 2005, 09:45 PM // 21:45

I would take a staff over a wand/focus combo all the way. The boni on the wands/focusses are usually lower than the ones found on staves and no matter what staff you find: you can always adjust it for your needs.

Using this staff now:

Note that this is a blue item but few gold items can top it. ^^ The "Insightful" part will be upgraded to +4 soon. Of course I'm a mostly Illusion-Based Mesmer.

Maiyn · May 25, 2005, 12:35 AM // 00:35

Definitely down to choice, which is what I LOVE about this game.

I use seperate because I NEED high faster recharge, and I don't think I could get that with a staff.. when I attack with it it's only for a few moments to gain mana to cast. You know? So I definitely agree that it's about what you need from your items.

PS -- everyone with your godly stalves.

BEAUTIFUL. I like the fast cast AND recharge.. but it's still only 20% I require 30% because of high recharge spells and it works wonders.

I'm currently looking for a wand that gives +12 or higher energy and faster recharge for earth or fire. I've seen it, it exists. Some jerk tried to sell me his customized one for 10k ... oospie. Lucky I'm not that noob :/

This is why I personally prefer wands, because I know I'm going to find the one wand/artifact combo that is going to give me +20 or higher in mana.

I think it's worth the slow cast speed. But I might try out a staff. I like those ones you have there.

OH ps -- DEFINITELY worth the -1 energy regen.. to have 100+ energy. OMG.. that's spectacular... so very close :/ lol.. (PS i'm tired so i'm not sure if this post makes sense entirely)

TopGun · May 25, 2005, 02:39 AM // 02:39

You people realize that a 2/10 chance is pretty much pathetic, right? I mean, in vegas, if someone told me my odds were 20%, I'd laugh and walk away. That's why all I play is Blackjack and Roulette.

Lim-Dul · May 25, 2005, 06:48 AM // 06:48

Maiyn - one thing I'd like to point out: you can't go higher than 20%. Of course you could wield a wand AND a focus with boni to recharge, but they don't stack - just like ANY boni in GW.

TopGun - I play pen-and-paper RPGs so I pretty much know what a 20% chance is. Nevertheless you won't find better natural boni on staves/wands. As for me - the staff gives me 14 energy (hope to raise that to 15 some time), has max dmg and +30hp - the side effect that SOMETIMES my skills charge or cast faster is just a nice addition - better than nothing, isn't it? It's especially nice if Illusionary Weaponry starts charging faster. ^^

pastey · May 25, 2005, 11:02 PM // 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lim-Dul

I would take a staff over a wand/focus combo all the way. The boni on the wands/focusses are usually lower than the ones found on staves and no matter what staff you find: you can always adjust it for your needs.

Using this staff now:

Note that this is a blue item but few gold items can top it. ^^ The "Insightful" part will be upgraded to +4 soon. Of course I'm a mostly Illusion-Based Mesmer.

all that staff is is the one from the collector, thats why its blue, he didnt get it unidentified and identify it for those cool upgrades, and finding a staff wrapping of fortitude +30 is incredibly difficult, props to that, with my monk necro, im using a rare accursed staff of fortitude, dark dmg 11-22 (req. 11 curses), improves casting speed (chance: 10%), health +28, customized +20%, im looking for an insightful staff head energy +7

heres a comparison, the best wand/focus item combo i know of in the game is a wand doing 11-22 dmg, energy +4 while health is above 50%, and a focus item from the collector +21 energy, +30 health, -1 energy regen

so my staff gives me two less health, 8 less energy, but ill have an extra regen bar, and when you think about how many skills you'll be using, id prefer to start off with 8 less and get them back quicker, and in addition to all of that, my staff has a 1/10 chance of improving the casting speed of any of my skills, its not attribute linked, i think this is more than just a mediocre staff, and i can always change the staff wrapping if i find a +30 one, beat that with a stick

Teufel Eldritch · May 26, 2005, 02:34 AM // 02:34

I prefer wands & idols. Not so much because staves are somehow inferior/ineffective(they aren't) but because I like the animations when I use a wand with a idol. Some of the animations for the staves look like you are shoving a spear into someones gut. The animations for a wand & a idol look like I am actually casting magical spells.

Lim-Dul · May 26, 2005, 08:57 AM // 08:57

Pastey - good luck on your +7 staff head. ;-) They go up to a max of +5, you know? =)

PieXags · May 26, 2005, 09:24 AM // 09:24

Staves look cooler 'eh? Yeah, I think they do anyways.

Go staves!

I've yet to find a very good one though, but I haven't found a better wand.

Just a bone staff, 11-22 cold dmg, inspiration magic +1, improves casting speed using inspiration magic.

Not bad, but not great. Need to find one for death magic tad flabbit!

Unik · May 26, 2005, 12:45 PM // 12:45

I???ve been using an air staff now for about 2 weeks, before that had always carried a wand and focus. Just like many stated the problem with Staffs is finding a decent one, took me some time but managed to get one that up to now surpasses any wand and focus I came across.

I do loose 2 energy because a staff???s max energy + is 10 instead of 12 for a focus, but gain a bit in damage. Of course it???s a rare item and also has a +20 health and makes enchantments last 18% longer, with some % chance tied to it but can???t remember the exact number.

Of course i also carry in an other setup a wand and focus, but rarely use them.

Unik

Dreamsmith · May 26, 2005, 02:22 PM // 14:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopGun

You people realize that a 2/10 chance is pretty much pathetic, right? I mean, in vegas, if someone told me my odds were 20%, I'd laugh and walk away.

Without first asking the payoff? Ah well, Vegas is a haven for people bad at math...

20% is significantly higher odds than 0%. It's almost guarenteed to payoff several times during any combat, whereas a wand/staff without that 20% chance won't. Why would you prefer the option with even worse odds?

KainShadow · May 26, 2005, 03:46 PM // 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopGun

You people realize that a 2/10 chance is pretty much pathetic, right? I mean, in vegas, if someone told me my odds were 20%, I'd laugh and walk away. That's why all I play is Blackjack and Roulette.

pathetic? LOL you don't lose any, it's just an advantage and is HIGH !!
1/5 is a lot considering that as an elementalist i keep casting spells

BTW my staff:

http://utenti.lycos.it/pcshadow/guil...tail/gw218.jpg

pionata · May 26, 2005, 06:30 PM // 18:30

i guess Ive been lucky to find a Firewand 11-22dmg that improve casting speed (20% chance) and has 20% extra damage + Customized for another 20%.
I have yet to find a good staff.

Konquest · May 26, 2005, 06:49 PM // 18:49

Give me a good staff, and I'll use it.
Give me a good wand/focus, and I'll use it.

It just comes down what item you find and works better for your character. The game is made so that there is no uber-item class that is good in any situation.

Valerius · May 26, 2005, 07:03 PM // 19:03

soo....

is there staff that u can get from a Collector that gives +20% Casting Speed using Healing Prayers and +20% Skill Recharge using Healing Prayers?

trackxyj · May 26, 2005, 07:20 PM // 19:20

My elementalist has a foci, energy +6, but +45HP while enchanted. I can't find anything to replace it since ele is always enchanted.

Kershent · May 26, 2005, 07:21 PM // 19:21

Valerius, in the later parts of the game, if there's a staff from a collecter that requires healing prayers, you can bet it'll have those mods.

Valerius · May 26, 2005, 07:48 PM // 19:48

Quote:

Valerius, in the later parts of the game, if there's a staff from a collecter that requires healing prayers, you can bet it'll have those mods.

i know... but i just can't find a Collector that gives one... i've seen Fire, Air, Illusion... but no Healing....

was just wonderin' if anyone else has seen one?

May 25, 2005, 12:35 AM // 00:35	#45
Maiyn Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: May 2005 Location: Canada Guild: I Excentrix I [PuNK]	Definitely down to choice, which is what I LOVE about this game. I use seperate because I NEED high faster recharge, and I don't think I could get that with a staff.. when I attack with it it's only for a few moments to gain mana to cast. You know? So I definitely agree that it's about what you need from your items. PS -- everyone with your godly stalves. BEAUTIFUL. I like the fast cast AND recharge.. but it's still only 20% I require 30% because of high recharge spells and it works wonders. I'm currently looking for a wand that gives +12 or higher energy and faster recharge for earth or fire. I've seen it, it exists. Some jerk tried to sell me his customized one for 10k ... oospie. Lucky I'm not that noob :/ This is why I personally prefer wands, because I know I'm going to find the one wand/artifact combo that is going to give me +20 or higher in mana. I think it's worth the slow cast speed. But I might try out a staff. I like those ones you have there. OH ps -- DEFINITELY worth the -1 energy regen.. to have 100+ energy. OMG.. that's spectacular... so very close :/ lol.. (PS i'm tired so i'm not sure if this post makes sense entirely) Last edited by Maiyn; May 25, 2005 at 12:41 AM // 00:41..

May 26, 2005, 02:34 AM // 02:34	#49
Teufel Eldritch Krytan Explorer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Shadar Logoth Guild: The Legendary Majestic 12 Profession: N/	I prefer wands & idols. Not so much because staves are somehow inferior/ineffective(they aren't) but because I like the animations when I use a wand with a idol. Some of the animations for the staves look like you are shoving a spear into someones gut. The animations for a wand & a idol look like I am actually casting magical spells. Last edited by Teufel Eldritch; May 26, 2005 at 02:36 AM // 02:36..

May 23, 2005, 10:20 AM // 10:20	#41
Shamblemonkee Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK, Bristol Guild: Gwen's Red Capes [Gwen] Profession: Mo/R	I haven't found a decent wand in ages (well one better than my current stave) My N/Me15 has a Purple (can't remember the name) 8-13 dmg +8 energy +4 armor and a chance to reduce skill recharge times. I've found munc better foci but all have required attributes I don't have, like wise with wands. It's pretty frustrating.

May 23, 2005, 10:56 AM // 10:56	#42
taion Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Pasadena, California Profession: Mo/	The main attraction of the wand/focus combo is that it's relatively easy to get an optimal combination, especially since the late-game collectors give perfectly tweaked wands and foci. To reiterate earlier posts, staves have greater potential and customisability, but it's something you'd have to work for.

May 23, 2005, 04:05 PM // 16:05	#43
Asplode Desert Nomad Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Guild: Rebel Rising [rawr]	My current Staff (pst Asp Lode if you wanna sell me some nice part ;D): +10 Energy 11-22 fire damage (req. 9 fire magic) +2 Energy staff head (q.q that I can't find anyone selling higher) 20% chance of faster casting speed with fire magic 20% chance of faster skill recharge with fire magic +24 health My wand/focus before it: Wand: 11-22 damage (req. 9 fire magic) 20% chance of faster skill recharge with fire magic Focus: +11 Energy (req. 11 fire magic) 6% chance of faster casting speed So in conclusion my current staff is a tad better than my previous wand/focus combination, and I'm happy. Oh, and a note...don't dye your staves, they end up looking the EXACT same. Squandered a black dye finding this out.

May 23, 2005, 09:45 PM // 21:45	#44
Lim-Dul Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Europe -> Poland -> Warsaw Guild: Alea Iacta Est [AIE] Profession: Me/W	I would take a staff over a wand/focus combo all the way. The boni on the wands/focusses are usually lower than the ones found on staves and no matter what staff you find: you can always adjust it for your needs. Using this staff now: Note that this is a blue item but few gold items can top it. ^^ The "Insightful" part will be upgraded to +4 soon. Of course I'm a mostly Illusion-Based Mesmer.

May 25, 2005, 02:39 AM // 02:39	#46
TopGun Krytan Explorer Join Date: May 2005	You people realize that a 2/10 chance is pretty much pathetic, right? I mean, in vegas, if someone told me my odds were 20%, I'd laugh and walk away. That's why all I play is Blackjack and Roulette.

May 25, 2005, 06:48 AM // 06:48	#47
Lim-Dul Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Europe -> Poland -> Warsaw Guild: Alea Iacta Est [AIE] Profession: Me/W	Maiyn - one thing I'd like to point out: you can't go higher than 20%. Of course you could wield a wand AND a focus with boni to recharge, but they don't stack - just like ANY boni in GW. TopGun - I play pen-and-paper RPGs so I pretty much know what a 20% chance is. Nevertheless you won't find better natural boni on staves/wands. As for me - the staff gives me 14 energy (hope to raise that to 15 some time), has max dmg and +30hp - the side effect that SOMETIMES my skills charge or cast faster is just a nice addition - better than nothing, isn't it? It's especially nice if Illusionary Weaponry starts charging faster. ^^

May 26, 2005, 08:57 AM // 08:57	#50
Lim-Dul Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Europe -> Poland -> Warsaw Guild: Alea Iacta Est [AIE] Profession: Me/W	Pastey - good luck on your +7 staff head. ;-) They go up to a max of +5, you know? =)

May 26, 2005, 09:24 AM // 09:24	#51
PieXags Forge Runner Join Date: May 2005 Location: The Infinite Representation Of Pie And Its Many Brilliances	Staves look cooler 'eh? Yeah, I think they do anyways. Go staves! I've yet to find a very good one though, but I haven't found a better wand. Just a bone staff, 11-22 cold dmg, inspiration magic +1, improves casting speed using inspiration magic. Not bad, but not great. Need to find one for death magic tad flabbit!

May 26, 2005, 12:45 PM // 12:45	#52
Unik Academy Page Join Date: Feb 2005	I???ve been using an air staff now for about 2 weeks, before that had always carried a wand and focus. Just like many stated the problem with Staffs is finding a decent one, took me some time but managed to get one that up to now surpasses any wand and focus I came across. I do loose 2 energy because a staff???s max energy + is 10 instead of 12 for a focus, but gain a bit in damage. Of course it???s a rare item and also has a +20 health and makes enchantments last 18% longer, with some % chance tied to it but can???t remember the exact number. Of course i also carry in an other setup a wand and focus, but rarely use them. Unik

May 26, 2005, 06:30 PM // 18:30	#55
pionata Academy Page Join Date: Apr 2005	i guess Ive been lucky to find a Firewand 11-22dmg that improve casting speed (20% chance) and has 20% extra damage + Customized for another 20%. I have yet to find a good staff.

May 26, 2005, 06:49 PM // 18:49	#56
Konquest Ascalonian Squire Join Date: May 2005	Give me a good staff, and I'll use it. Give me a good wand/focus, and I'll use it. It just comes down what item you find and works better for your character. The game is made so that there is no uber-item class that is good in any situation.

May 26, 2005, 07:03 PM // 19:03	#57
Valerius Desert Nomad Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Canada Profession: R/	soo.... is there staff that u can get from a Collector that gives +20% Casting Speed using Healing Prayers and +20% Skill Recharge using Healing Prayers?

May 26, 2005, 07:20 PM // 19:20	#58
trackxyj Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: May 2005	My elementalist has a foci, energy +6, but +45HP while enchanted. I can't find anything to replace it since ele is always enchanted.

May 26, 2005, 07:21 PM // 19:21	#59
Kershent Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Apr 2005	Valerius, in the later parts of the game, if there's a staff from a collecter that requires healing prayers, you can bet it'll have those mods.