Staff vs Wand? - Guild Wars Forums

DirtyDirty · Jun 28, 2007, 05:34 PM // 17:34

As an E/N, what are the benefits of using a staff over a wand+artifact; or vice versa? Which weapon is most beneficial in PvE and PvP? Are certain upgrades better for the staff as oppose to wands? Does having the 2nd artifact help more than a 2-handed weapon? So far I'm split because I'm not sure what is overall better to use as a E/N; or any non-tank for that matter.

r3dsk4r3 · Jun 28, 2007, 05:58 PM // 17:58

IMO its really up to personal preference. Look for something with mods that will make the most of your skills. If you are spamming skills a '40/40' set, a wand and focus with 20% Cast and 20% recharge, would be better. If you use a lot of enchantments get something with enchantments +20%.

Technically speaking, staffs are capable of giving the most energy with normal regen. A staff has an inherent +10, and with a +5 insightful head and a +5 'hale and hearty' inscription you can get +20. A wand/focus combo can only give +5 and +12, for +17 total.

In the end, its really up to personal preference so long as you take into consideration what mods will help your build the most. Also consider taking a sword/axe/spear with a +5e inscription and a +30hp mod.

Quaker · Jun 28, 2007, 05:59 PM // 17:59

The main difference I see between them is that wand+offhand has many more possible configurations than just a staff. A staff will generally (but not always) have a requirement and mods that deal with one particular class - for example a staff that requires 9 Fire Magic and has mods affecting the casting time and recharge of Fire Magic spells. With various heads, wrappings, and inscriptions you can vary this somewhat, but not as much as if, say, you had a wand that requires Fire Magic and a focus item (offhand) that requires Death Magic.
I'm not sure if a staff has any benefit over wand+focus. I think you can duplicate the power and effects of any staff with a wand+focus, but not the other way around.

Stormlord Alex · Jun 28, 2007, 06:10 PM // 18:10

As an ele for general PvE, I take a wand and offhand combo. It allows you to attain a 20/20 HSR/HCT modifier on both wand and atifact, allowing you to throw out more spells faster than any other weapon combo. All other modifiers - health, energy etc. - are cute, but nowhere near as awesome as firing off Rodgort's in .75 seconds on a 7.5 second recharge.

PvP's a different kettle of fish, there I take an axe, shields, and a lot of +hp stuff.

DirtyDirty · Jun 28, 2007, 08:47 PM // 20:47

Thanks for all replies.

So it seems that staff is best because the upgrades make it the most powerful of the 2 choices. However the Wand/Artifact combo lets you customize more options for various bonuses across all fields. Is that right?

Dweasel · Jun 28, 2007, 09:57 PM // 21:57

Staves can have "Halves skill recharge of spells 20%", which wands/focuses can't (they can only go up to 10%, need to be linked to an attribute to get 20%). So a staff with 20/20 is better than a wand/focus with 20/20.

Staves have more upgrades, but focuses have more mods and inscriptions. So there are staves that can't be duplicated with a wand/focus, and there are wand/focus combos that can't be duplicated with a staff.

Of course it's easier to buy one staff than to buy both a wand and a focus.

tmakinen · Jun 29, 2007, 08:58 AM // 08:58

When talking about PvE almost anything goes - as a caster you'll be reasonably effective without any equipment at all (and that's why casters are usually the preferred option to lug bundles around). For me it's a matter of inventory space so one staff per each element is my primary choice. Then there are specific builds that greatly benefit from some other set, so if you use those often it's reasonable to get that extra edge. Like a +42 energy fire wand+focus set if you're playing a Mind Blast spammer, or a Totem Axe + shield/offhand for various farming builds.

For PvP it really depends on what you're doing, and most likely you'll have to fill all the four weapon slots with different kinds of equipment.

bilateralrope · Jun 29, 2007, 09:39 AM // 09:39

Make use with what you find lying on the ground till you know which you prefer the look of. Then go use that.

Me, I use staves.

Hyper.nl · Jun 29, 2007, 09:53 AM // 09:53

I use a staff because I want the 20% enchantment mod, which is not available for wands or offhands.

tmakinen · Jun 29, 2007, 09:57 AM // 09:57

Well, that's what Totem Axes are for

O Nuxtofulakas · Jun 29, 2007, 11:57 AM // 11:57

I also agree that it's a matter of personal preference.
From my POV wand+focus > staff for the following reasons:

40/40 option for spamming skills
15/-1 energy focus alternative for instant highest nrg pool in the heat of battle

S_Serpent · Jun 29, 2007, 12:37 PM // 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by O Nuxtofulakas

I also agree that it's a matter of personal preference.
From my POV wand+focus > staff for the following reasons:

40/40 option for spamming skills
15/-1 energy focus alternative for instant highest nrg pool in the heat of battle

same here and alot of other options:

like negative energy sets for pvp
wand/melee weapon + focus/shield swaps

I do run staves too, but not as often like I use a one handed weapon and an offhand

best items imho to make combos:

for wands:
* an HSR/HCT 20/20
* an HSR or HCT and +5 while above 50 or while enchanted
* an +15E / -1 energy regen wand

for offhands:
* HSR/HCT 20/20
* attribute +1 (chance 20%) + 30hp
* HSR + attribute +1 (chance 20%)
* +15E/-1 energy regen offhands
* a negative energy offhand

shields:
* vs fire, lightning, slashing, piercing and blunt

one handed weapons:
* Sword/axe with +5 energy and 20% longer enchants
* Sword/axe/spear with +5 energy and +30hp
* Sword/axe/spear with -5 energy/+15% more dmg and +30hp

Staves:
* mostly I have +20 energy staves for certain build for the rest a run the above combo's possibilities

and most can be found at collectors/weaponsmiths if you like, but you can go for other skins too, but you'll have to fork out the gold for those.

cheers

HawkofStorms · Jun 29, 2007, 06:32 PM // 18:32

High End PvP will always use caster swords/spears and offhands because of the +60 health +17 energy all the time (which can be easily exchanged for a +30 20% enchanting +17 energy set).

Anyway, it is kinda personal preference. Also keep in mind that staffs are useful in that you will ALWAYS get the energy bonus from them even if you don't meet the requirement (ie, you can use a fire staff while playing as a water ele and still get the +15 energy from it). This also makes staves useful for rangers/sins and others who don't have caster weapons for certain builds that don't require a weapon (trappers etc.)

That also makes staves superior on heros (since you can then change around their build without changing out their weapon set).

Age · Jun 29, 2007, 09:42 PM // 21:42

I prefer a wand and offhand when playing Ele as it gives me more energy for those high cost spells.I will switch to a staff to regain my energy back just like when I Monk.I would of picked E/Mes or E/Mo as that is the more preferred combos.This is unless you are using E/N for unlocks.

Jun 28, 2007, 05:34 PM // 17:34	#1
DirtyDirty Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Jun 2007 Profession: R/	Staff vs Wand? As an E/N, what are the benefits of using a staff over a wand+artifact; or vice versa? Which weapon is most beneficial in PvE and PvP? Are certain upgrades better for the staff as oppose to wands? Does having the 2nd artifact help more than a 2-handed weapon? So far I'm split because I'm not sure what is overall better to use as a E/N; or any non-tank for that matter.

Jun 28, 2007, 05:58 PM // 17:58	#2
r3dsk4r3 Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Apr 2006 Profession: N/E	IMO its really up to personal preference. Look for something with mods that will make the most of your skills. If you are spamming skills a '40/40' set, a wand and focus with 20% Cast and 20% recharge, would be better. If you use a lot of enchantments get something with enchantments +20%. Technically speaking, staffs are capable of giving the most energy with normal regen. A staff has an inherent +10, and with a +5 insightful head and a +5 'hale and hearty' inscription you can get +20. A wand/focus combo can only give +5 and +12, for +17 total. In the end, its really up to personal preference so long as you take into consideration what mods will help your build the most. Also consider taking a sword/axe/spear with a +5e inscription and a +30hp mod.

Jun 28, 2007, 05:59 PM // 17:59	#3
Quaker Hell's Protector Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Canada Guild: Brothers Disgruntled	The main difference I see between them is that wand+offhand has many more possible configurations than just a staff. A staff will generally (but not always) have a requirement and mods that deal with one particular class - for example a staff that requires 9 Fire Magic and has mods affecting the casting time and recharge of Fire Magic spells. With various heads, wrappings, and inscriptions you can vary this somewhat, but not as much as if, say, you had a wand that requires Fire Magic and a focus item (offhand) that requires Death Magic. I'm not sure if a staff has any benefit over wand+focus. I think you can duplicate the power and effects of any staff with a wand+focus, but not the other way around.

Jun 28, 2007, 06:10 PM // 18:10	#4
Stormlord Alex Grotto Attendant Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Beyond the Forest of Doom, past the Cavern of Agony... on Kitten & Puppy Island Guild: Soul of Melandru [sOm] Profession: W/E	As an ele for general PvE, I take a wand and offhand combo. It allows you to attain a 20/20 HSR/HCT modifier on both wand and atifact, allowing you to throw out more spells faster than any other weapon combo. All other modifiers - health, energy etc. - are cute, but nowhere near as awesome as firing off Rodgort's in .75 seconds on a 7.5 second recharge. PvP's a different kettle of fish, there I take an axe, shields, and a lot of +hp stuff.

Jun 28, 2007, 08:47 PM // 20:47	#5
DirtyDirty Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Jun 2007 Profession: R/	Thanks for all replies. So it seems that staff is best because the upgrades make it the most powerful of the 2 choices. However the Wand/Artifact combo lets you customize more options for various bonuses across all fields. Is that right?

Jun 28, 2007, 09:57 PM // 21:57	#6
Dweasel Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Dec 2006	Staves can have "Halves skill recharge of spells 20%", which wands/focuses can't (they can only go up to 10%, need to be linked to an attribute to get 20%). So a staff with 20/20 is better than a wand/focus with 20/20. Staves have more upgrades, but focuses have more mods and inscriptions. So there are staves that can't be duplicated with a wand/focus, and there are wand/focus combos that can't be duplicated with a staff. Of course it's easier to buy one staff than to buy both a wand and a focus.

Jun 29, 2007, 08:58 AM // 08:58	#7
tmakinen Desert Nomad Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: www.mybearfriend.net Guild: Servants of Fortuna [SoF] Profession: E/	When talking about PvE almost anything goes - as a caster you'll be reasonably effective without any equipment at all (and that's why casters are usually the preferred option to lug bundles around). For me it's a matter of inventory space so one staff per each element is my primary choice. Then there are specific builds that greatly benefit from some other set, so if you use those often it's reasonable to get that extra edge. Like a +42 energy fire wand+focus set if you're playing a Mind Blast spammer, or a Totem Axe + shield/offhand for various farming builds. For PvP it really depends on what you're doing, and most likely you'll have to fill all the four weapon slots with different kinds of equipment.

Jun 29, 2007, 09:39 AM // 09:39	#8
bilateralrope Desert Nomad Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Zealand Guild: Xen Of Onslaught (Xen of the Pacific division)	Make use with what you find lying on the ground till you know which you prefer the look of. Then go use that. Me, I use staves.

Jun 29, 2007, 09:53 AM // 09:53	#9
Hyper.nl Desert Nomad Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Defending Fort Aspenwood Profession: E/	I use a staff because I want the 20% enchantment mod, which is not available for wands or offhands.

Jun 29, 2007, 09:57 AM // 09:57	#10
tmakinen Desert Nomad Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: www.mybearfriend.net Guild: Servants of Fortuna [SoF] Profession: E/	Well, that's what Totem Axes are for

Jun 29, 2007, 11:57 AM // 11:57	#11
O Nuxtofulakas Krytan Explorer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Did u check your closet? Profession: N/	I also agree that it's a matter of personal preference. From my POV wand+focus > staff for the following reasons: 40/40 option for spamming skills 15/-1 energy focus alternative for instant highest nrg pool in the heat of battle

Jun 29, 2007, 06:32 PM // 18:32	#13
HawkofStorms Hall Hero Join Date: Aug 2005 Profession: E/	High End PvP will always use caster swords/spears and offhands because of the +60 health +17 energy all the time (which can be easily exchanged for a +30 20% enchanting +17 energy set). Anyway, it is kinda personal preference. Also keep in mind that staffs are useful in that you will ALWAYS get the energy bonus from them even if you don't meet the requirement (ie, you can use a fire staff while playing as a water ele and still get the +15 energy from it). This also makes staves useful for rangers/sins and others who don't have caster weapons for certain builds that don't require a weapon (trappers etc.) That also makes staves superior on heros (since you can then change around their build without changing out their weapon set).

Jun 29, 2007, 09:42 PM // 21:42	#14
Age Hall Hero Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: California Canada/BC Guild: STG Administrator Profession: Mo/	I prefer a wand and offhand when playing Ele as it gives me more energy for those high cost spells.I will switch to a staff to regain my energy back just like when I Monk.I would of picked E/Mes or E/Mo as that is the more preferred combos.This is unless you are using E/N for unlocks.