Focus + Offhand or Staff? - Guild Wars Forums

Sora267 · Jun 25, 2008, 03:31 AM // 03:31

My friend and I were wondering this: What would be better to use? A focus + offhand, caster weapon + offhand, or staff? Or, in what situations would you use one or the other? My gut tells me that there's no difference between the focus + offhand and the staff, but I just wanted to make sure.

Thanks!

Gift3d · Jun 25, 2008, 03:35 AM // 03:35

In most general situations, a martial weapon + shield/offhand. If i wanted HSR/HCT, wand/offhand. The only situation i'd use a staff is if i wanted a combination of mods that i could only get on a staff.

Sora267 · Jun 25, 2008, 03:38 AM // 03:38

Alright, thanks!

One last thing: What mods exactly go on a "caster shield"? I know a caster martial weapon is +5e and +20% enchanting, but I have no idea about the shield.

Kyomi Tachibana · Jun 25, 2008, 03:44 AM // 03:44

For caster shields I generally have a selection of +30/+45ench, and +10AL vs whatever.

The Red Messenger · Jun 25, 2008, 03:53 AM // 03:53

i use a staff for everything in pve. takes up less room =)

the effects arent bad, either. i usually make it 20/20 (one of the 20's is already infused in all staves) and +15 energy, the last mod is optional (either +30 health or +20% enchants).

it doesnt make that much of a difference either way you go. this is just my preference because i like to keep inventory as open as possible.

the only time i have a 40/40 set on hand is for a curses necro, fire ele, or healing monk.

pvp is a whole different story and im no pro.

Yichi · Jun 25, 2008, 04:52 AM // 04:52

lrn 2 weapon swap imo

scythefromunder · Jun 25, 2008, 05:30 AM // 05:30

I have a staff for the enchant mod
A martial weapon with +5 energy and +30hp
a shield with +45/Enchanted and -2/Enchanted
I have a wand and offhand for a high set.

Hugh Manatee · Jun 25, 2008, 06:40 AM // 06:40

If I'm specialized in 1 attribute a '40/40' wand offhand set, a martial weapon and shield(if it's a pvp guy I have an inventory full of them for each +armor), and a "high set(+15-1 on the offhand and wand)" If I have a more diverse bar(like a hybrid heal/prot monk or mesmer, necro or rt with different atts or a few PvE skills) I'll use the staff for the flat 20% recharge bonus,maybe with swift a swift head and an enchant or +30 wrap.

Mouse at Large · Jun 25, 2008, 06:49 AM // 06:49

From my point of view, in PvE, it makes little difference whether you go staff or wand/offhand - it's pretty much all doable with either and weapon swapping is rarely required. I virtually exclusively play ele, and just about the only time I need to swap is on the very rare occasions when I go *cough* U***n *cough* when I swap to a caster melee set.

PvP is a whole different kettle of fish however........

Luminarus · Jun 25, 2008, 07:05 AM // 07:05

For general sitting in you want a defensive set with a 1 handed weapon (+5e, +30hp) and a shield (+10AL VS XX, +30hp). Then you have a variety of other weapons depending on your build.

If i have a build with enchantments then I usually run a staff 40/20/20.
For general casting of spells then its a 40/40 set.

Finally i have a wand/focus with +30e/-2regen to swap into.

Jun 25, 2008, 03:31 AM // 03:31	#1
Sora267 Krytan Explorer Join Date: Dec 2006	Focus + Offhand or Staff? My friend and I were wondering this: What would be better to use? A focus + offhand, caster weapon + offhand, or staff? Or, in what situations would you use one or the other? My gut tells me that there's no difference between the focus + offhand and the staff, but I just wanted to make sure. Thanks!

Jun 25, 2008, 03:35 AM // 03:35	#2
Gift3d Forge Runner Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Las Vegas Guild: Enraged Whiny Carebears [oR] Profession: W/E	In most general situations, a martial weapon + shield/offhand. If i wanted HSR/HCT, wand/offhand. The only situation i'd use a staff is if i wanted a combination of mods that i could only get on a staff.

Jun 25, 2008, 03:38 AM // 03:38	#3
Sora267 Krytan Explorer Join Date: Dec 2006	Alright, thanks! One last thing: What mods exactly go on a "caster shield"? I know a caster martial weapon is +5e and +20% enchanting, but I have no idea about the shield.

Jun 25, 2008, 03:44 AM // 03:44	#4
Kyomi Tachibana Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Oregon, USA Guild: Where iz teh Bonuz [WitB] Profession: P/W	For caster shields I generally have a selection of +30/+45ench, and +10AL vs whatever.

Jun 25, 2008, 03:53 AM // 03:53	#5
The Red Messenger Krytan Explorer Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: America	i use a staff for everything in pve. takes up less room =) the effects arent bad, either. i usually make it 20/20 (one of the 20's is already infused in all staves) and +15 energy, the last mod is optional (either +30 health or +20% enchants). it doesnt make that much of a difference either way you go. this is just my preference because i like to keep inventory as open as possible. the only time i have a 40/40 set on hand is for a curses necro, fire ele, or healing monk. pvp is a whole different story and im no pro.

Jun 25, 2008, 04:52 AM // 04:52	#6
Yichi Furnace Stoker Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Guild Hall, Vent, Guesting, PvE, or the occasional HA match... Guild: Dark Alley [dR]	lrn 2 weapon swap imo

Jun 25, 2008, 05:30 AM // 05:30	#7
scythefromunder Desert Nomad Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CA Guild: Tears Of The Ascended [ToA]	I have a staff for the enchant mod A martial weapon with +5 energy and +30hp a shield with +45/Enchanted and -2/Enchanted I have a wand and offhand for a high set.

Jun 25, 2008, 06:40 AM // 06:40	#8
Hugh Manatee Jungle Guide Join Date: May 2007 Guild: Nice But Deadly[nice] Profession: N/	If I'm specialized in 1 attribute a '40/40' wand offhand set, a martial weapon and shield(if it's a pvp guy I have an inventory full of them for each +armor), and a "high set(+15-1 on the offhand and wand)" If I have a more diverse bar(like a hybrid heal/prot monk or mesmer, necro or rt with different atts or a few PvE skills) I'll use the staff for the flat 20% recharge bonus,maybe with swift a swift head and an enchant or +30 wrap.

Jun 25, 2008, 06:49 AM // 06:49	#9
Mouse at Large Jungle Guide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Scotland Guild: Fuzzy Physics Institute Profession: E/	From my point of view, in PvE, it makes little difference whether you go staff or wand/offhand - it's pretty much all doable with either and weapon swapping is rarely required. I virtually exclusively play ele, and just about the only time I need to swap is on the very rare occasions when I go cough U**n cough* when I swap to a caster melee set. PvP is a whole different kettle of fish however........

Jun 25, 2008, 07:05 AM // 07:05	#10
Luminarus Furnace Stoker Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Guild: Haze of Light [pure] Profession: R/	For general sitting in you want a defensive set with a 1 handed weapon (+5e, +30hp) and a shield (+10AL VS XX, +30hp). Then you have a variety of other weapons depending on your build. If i have a build with enchantments then I usually run a staff 40/20/20. For general casting of spells then its a 40/40 set. Finally i have a wand/focus with +30e/-2regen to swap into.