Why Wands and Rods have no upgrades components ... - Guild Wars Forums

stumpy · Jun 07, 2005, 05:59 PM // 17:59

okay I know the obvious ... no upgrades because you can have off hand item ... okay now tell me why in the heck would anybody dare use a staff?

You can find you wand, rod with the + recharge and cast speed 20% and add on your offhand item of example mine + 23 energy, +30 health -1 regen ... so i take a ding there ... but my other character has a +12 energy, +33 health all the time ... plus one more mod like +5 armor when hexed or something ...

so why use a staff ... the top staff you could find (to my knowledge and correct me if I am wrong) would be max dmg ... which ironically is same as a dinky wand ... +20% recharge and cast speed in your favoured attribute, + 12 energy before mods (after say max fortitude +30 health, and either insightful head or hale head to get plus on energy 3 is best I have seen, or hale of plus 12 or 13 i think)

I think staffs are highly ineffective and should be beefed up a bit to give a reason NOT to want that off hand item. Please help me on this issue because I need to increase my knowledge on the benefits and disadvantages between these 2 weapon styles.

Thank you in advance

Lewick · Jun 07, 2005, 06:40 PM // 18:40

Because I can apply a staff wrapping of enchantment to my staff and get enchantments to last 20% longer when I use the staff. I'm a R/Mo. I use a smiting staff that has a 20% chance of increasing smiting prayers cast times, 20% chance of reducing smiting prayers recharge times, and gives a 20% increase in duration of enchantments. While soloing, this means Balthazar's Aura lasts 12 seconds instead of 10, giving me 22 AE damage per second AE. It also means Shield of Judgement lasts 18 seconds instead of 15 or Mark of Protection lasts 12 seconds instead of 10.

Staves have their place.

salatious · Jun 07, 2005, 06:41 PM // 18:41

the real questions here is why do i need to put both hands on a staff? unless you are also able to use it as a melee weapon, and in this game you cant? so the real quesiton is why is a staff 2handed

Angels Touch · Jun 07, 2005, 06:43 PM // 18:43

I use a staff for the exact reasons you listed. It is upgradeable and I have not found a good 1h weapon for a monk.

As far as making 1h caster weapons not upgradeable, since you get to use a off hand item. Then I ask what about sword / axe? Both of those can be used with a Shield, yet can be upgraded.

It seems to be a major discrepancy that the 1h caster weapons cannot be upgraded.

Fye Duron · Jun 07, 2005, 06:49 PM // 18:49

Because if a stave was a one handed weapon it would be better then a wand/rod

taion · Jun 07, 2005, 06:52 PM // 18:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by stumpy

(after say max fortitude +30 health, and either insightful head or hale head to get plus on energy 3 is best I have seen, or hale of plus 12 or 13 i think)

Your inability to find good upgrades for staves has no bearing on their effectiveness when properly upgraded.

Fye Duron · Jun 07, 2005, 06:53 PM // 18:53

I think it has to do with damage out put. Warriors have to be close to do damage a Elementist does it from a distance so the warrior needs more protection then a ranged fighter.

Lewick · Jun 07, 2005, 06:57 PM // 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by salatious

the real questions here is why do i need to put both hands on a staff? unless you are also able to use it as a melee weapon, and in this game you cant? so the real quesiton is why is a staff 2handed

Erm, my smiting staff is 11/22 damage as well.

A staff is 2h because that's what the developer's vision of a staff is. When I shoot damage out of it, both of my hands are on it. When I shoot my bow, both of my hands are on it. When my warrior uses a sword, his other hand is grasping his shield. When he uses a hammer, both hands are on it. It's just the tools they give us in the way they envision those tools to be.

salatious · Jun 07, 2005, 07:14 PM // 19:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fye Duron

I think it has to do with damage out put. Warriors have to be close to do damage a Elementist does it from a distance so the warrior needs more protection then a ranged fighter.

lol.... you already do with a much higher AC than us. ours cap at 60AC

salatious · Jun 07, 2005, 07:16 PM // 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lewick

Erm, my smiting staff is 11/22 damage as well.

A staff is 2h because that's what the developer's vision of a staff is. When I shoot damage out of it, both of my hands are on it. When I shoot my bow, both of my hands are on it. When my warrior uses a sword, his other hand is grasping his shield. When he uses a hammer, both hands are on it. It's just the tools they give us in the way they envision those tools to be.

there vison holds no logic.. thats what my post was about.

Yojinj · Jun 07, 2005, 07:22 PM // 19:22

Getting decent upgrades for staff is horror pure.
I search for a energy + head (+5 at least) and the only person that answered my call wanted more then 3.000 gold for it.

The casual/not farming player can't afford such expansive upgrades.
To find staff upgrades yourself happens very very rarly.

ToxicMilk · Jun 07, 2005, 07:49 PM // 19:49

I understand that the staff is 'potentially' more useful with the upgrades, but I have yet to find any upgrades that would sway me from my 1h wand & flame artifact(I have a lvl20 E/N)

I agree with Yojinj - it maybe be possible, but realistically improbable. And I think the fact that even sighting a player using a staff is incredibly rare, sums the point.

Lewick · Jun 07, 2005, 07:51 PM // 19:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by salatious

there vison holds no logic.. thats what my post was about.

It holds logic. It may not seem logical to YOU, but to them a staff is a 2h weapon, just like a hammer is a 2h weapon.

Having said that, I do think wands should be upgradeable, just like 1h weapons are.

audioaxes · Jun 08, 2005, 02:58 PM // 14:58

if staffs can be one handed, allowing them to hold powerful artifacts/focus/idols it would be too unbalanced
if wands were allowed to have powerful upgrades they would be too unbalanced

cant have the best of both worlds, yall should know that

Halaku · Jun 08, 2005, 03:29 PM // 15:29

Depends on the staff. I found a staff that does damage equivelent to a fire wand, and had a energy bonus equivilent to an off handed item. It even came with an upgrade built it (its a light blue staff). Added really good upgrade to it, and its become better then any wand that I've found so far, and I'm a level 17 almost 18. Plus, if I do find a staff that is better, I can always strip the upgrade from my old one, and place it on the new one.

Shandoo Bilari · Jun 08, 2005, 04:34 PM // 16:34

WS= Weapon Set

WS #1 Nice Wand + Nice Off-hand
WS #2 Staff with Quick Recovery from Poisin
WS #3 Staff with Quick Recovery from Blind
WS #4 Staff with Quick Recovery from Dazed

Apply some bonus mods and thats what I use em for.

BBJones · Jun 08, 2005, 04:43 PM // 16:43

The only reason I use a staff over a wand is my staff gives me +1 to Divine Favour.

Can't do that with a wand...

Cindare Sunstriker · Jun 08, 2005, 04:44 PM // 16:44

My mesmer is now using a 2-handed staff because it has more energy on it than anything she could get using wand/off-hand AND has some very nice bonus to armor and recovery from bleed as well. Now just looking for upgrades to it.

Guess I'm an exception to the rule.

stumpy · Jun 08, 2005, 04:53 PM // 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by taion

Your inability to find good upgrades for staves has no bearing on their effectiveness when properly upgraded.

pardon, but have you found a fortitude greater than 30? <<< 4th character still unable to find this illusive +99 item lol

And re: recharge, and cast speed ... guess what ... wands have them as well. So really they level out and it is based on preference ... my question is why would i use a staff? (even if it is only a 3 bonus difference in health with my +33 off hand)

Still puzzled as to why I would buy a staff ... the only note I saw here that actually had backing to it was the enchantments (which I havent seen a wand wityh enchantments last 18% longer)

----- and not to digress -----

I dont want this to be turned into a why cant wands be upgraded ... they are fine where they are ... what I am asking is that ... with the combo of a wand + foci, I have yet to see any staffs that can add +23-20 energy ... so lets do a comparison ... please somebody post the best possible Staff vs Wand combo ... I will try (but I apparently lack the skills, no inability ... so I will require help as my belittled brain cant seem to 'make my question clear enough')

Okay so given both are max dmg (which doesnt matter cause thats not your job)

------------------------------------------------
Wand = +20% recharge + cast speed in your attribute of choice, +3 energy
Foci item A = +12 energy, +20% recharge and cast in your attribute of choice
Foci item B = +12 energy, +45 health (ench), +8 armor (vs physical)
Foci Item C = +30 energy, -1 energy regen, +30 health

vs.

Staff = +20% recharge and cast speed in att of choice, + 12 energy
Staff head = hale +30 or insightful + 5
Staff wrapping = Fortitude +30 or enchantments +20% longer
-----------------------------------------------------

regardless I would likely take the wand and foci with +20% speeds and double them up for +40%

so why bother with a staff potential of +60 health is not really as important is it? only 1 i think is useful is the enchantments last 20% longer

So please help me figure this one out here ... your opinions and thoughts are greatly appreciated, even yours taion

Yojinj · Jun 08, 2005, 05:04 PM // 17:04

Alot of later-in-game staffs from collectors have nice bonus.
Like i got a smiting staff that makes recharge of skill and skill cast time faster (20%chance).
Same i got with a Deadly bone Staff for Deathmagic.

Only thing those staff need are +energy heads, +armor wrappings and so on.

Jun 07, 2005, 05:59 PM // 17:59	#1
stumpy Jungle Guide Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Canucklehead BC, Canada Guild: Advanced Necro Undead Society	Why Wands and Rods have no upgrades components ... okay I know the obvious ... no upgrades because you can have off hand item ... okay now tell me why in the heck would anybody dare use a staff? You can find you wand, rod with the + recharge and cast speed 20% and add on your offhand item of example mine + 23 energy, +30 health -1 regen ... so i take a ding there ... but my other character has a +12 energy, +33 health all the time ... plus one more mod like +5 armor when hexed or something ... so why use a staff ... the top staff you could find (to my knowledge and correct me if I am wrong) would be max dmg ... which ironically is same as a dinky wand ... +20% recharge and cast speed in your favoured attribute, + 12 energy before mods (after say max fortitude +30 health, and either insightful head or hale head to get plus on energy 3 is best I have seen, or hale of plus 12 or 13 i think) I think staffs are highly ineffective and should be beefed up a bit to give a reason NOT to want that off hand item. Please help me on this issue because I need to increase my knowledge on the benefits and disadvantages between these 2 weapon styles. Thank you in advance

Jun 07, 2005, 06:40 PM // 18:40	#2
Lewick Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: May 2005 Profession: R/Mo	Because I can apply a staff wrapping of enchantment to my staff and get enchantments to last 20% longer when I use the staff. I'm a R/Mo. I use a smiting staff that has a 20% chance of increasing smiting prayers cast times, 20% chance of reducing smiting prayers recharge times, and gives a 20% increase in duration of enchantments. While soloing, this means Balthazar's Aura lasts 12 seconds instead of 10, giving me 22 AE damage per second AE. It also means Shield of Judgement lasts 18 seconds instead of 15 or Mark of Protection lasts 12 seconds instead of 10. Staves have their place.

Jun 07, 2005, 06:41 PM // 18:41	#3
salatious Krytan Explorer Join Date: May 2005 Location: Richmond, Va Guild: Looking for a better Guild Profession: E/Mo	the real questions here is why do i need to put both hands on a staff? unless you are also able to use it as a melee weapon, and in this game you cant? so the real quesiton is why is a staff 2handed

Jun 07, 2005, 06:43 PM // 18:43	#4
Angels Touch Ascalonian Squire Join Date: May 2005	I use a staff for the exact reasons you listed. It is upgradeable and I have not found a good 1h weapon for a monk. As far as making 1h caster weapons not upgradeable, since you get to use a off hand item. Then I ask what about sword / axe? Both of those can be used with a Shield, yet can be upgraded. It seems to be a major discrepancy that the 1h caster weapons cannot be upgraded.

Jun 07, 2005, 06:49 PM // 18:49	#5
Fye Duron Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chico, CA, USA Guild: Dragon Fang	Because if a stave was a one handed weapon it would be better then a wand/rod

Jun 07, 2005, 06:53 PM // 18:53	#7
Fye Duron Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chico, CA, USA Guild: Dragon Fang	I think it has to do with damage out put. Warriors have to be close to do damage a Elementist does it from a distance so the warrior needs more protection then a ranged fighter.

Jun 07, 2005, 07:22 PM // 19:22	#11
Yojinj Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Germany Guild: None at the moment Profession: N/Mo	Getting decent upgrades for staff is horror pure. I search for a energy + head (+5 at least) and the only person that answered my call wanted more then 3.000 gold for it. The casual/not farming player can't afford such expansive upgrades. To find staff upgrades yourself happens very very rarly.

Jun 07, 2005, 07:49 PM // 19:49	#12
ToxicMilk Ascalonian Squire Join Date: May 2005 Location: CA	I understand that the staff is 'potentially' more useful with the upgrades, but I have yet to find any upgrades that would sway me from my 1h wand & flame artifact(I have a lvl20 E/N) I agree with Yojinj - it maybe be possible, but realistically improbable. And I think the fact that even sighting a player using a staff is incredibly rare, sums the point.

Jun 08, 2005, 02:58 PM // 14:58	#14
audioaxes Jungle Guide Join Date: May 2005	if staffs can be one handed, allowing them to hold powerful artifacts/focus/idols it would be too unbalanced if wands were allowed to have powerful upgrades they would be too unbalanced cant have the best of both worlds, yall should know that

Jun 08, 2005, 03:29 PM // 15:29	#15
Halaku Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Mar 2005	Depends on the staff. I found a staff that does damage equivelent to a fire wand, and had a energy bonus equivilent to an off handed item. It even came with an upgrade built it (its a light blue staff). Added really good upgrade to it, and its become better then any wand that I've found so far, and I'm a level 17 almost 18. Plus, if I do find a staff that is better, I can always strip the upgrade from my old one, and place it on the new one.

Jun 08, 2005, 04:34 PM // 16:34	#16
Shandoo Bilari Academy Page Join Date: May 2005 Location: NoVa Guild: Dark Brotherhood Profession: Mo/	WS= Weapon Set WS #1 Nice Wand + Nice Off-hand WS #2 Staff with Quick Recovery from Poisin WS #3 Staff with Quick Recovery from Blind WS #4 Staff with Quick Recovery from Dazed Apply some bonus mods and thats what I use em for.

Jun 08, 2005, 04:43 PM // 16:43	#17
BBJones Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: Jun 2005	The only reason I use a staff over a wand is my staff gives me +1 to Divine Favour. Can't do that with a wand...

Jun 08, 2005, 04:44 PM // 16:44	#18
Cindare Sunstriker Academy Page Join Date: May 2005 Guild: Friends in United Nation (FUN) Profession: Me/Mo	My mesmer is now using a 2-handed staff because it has more energy on it than anything she could get using wand/off-hand AND has some very nice bonus to armor and recovery from bleed as well. Now just looking for upgrades to it. Guess I'm an exception to the rule.

Jun 08, 2005, 05:04 PM // 17:04	#20
Yojinj Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Germany Guild: None at the moment Profession: N/Mo	Alot of later-in-game staffs from collectors have nice bonus. Like i got a smiting staff that makes recharge of skill and skill cast time faster (20%chance). Same i got with a Deadly bone Staff for Deathmagic. Only thing those staff need are +energy heads, +armor wrappings and so on.