Curse

ermns · Jan 24, 2007, 08:15 AM // 08:15

Hello everyone :-)

My question is "Staves or wands"?

This is a heated discussion in my mind so I decided to ask your opinions. It seems to me that ,(all other things being equal), staves deliver overall more than the combination of wand and offhand.

All other things being equal I mean that you compare similar characteristics. It seems to me that the best staff will beat the combination of a wand and an offhand. There could be maybe a couple of points in energy that a wand/offhand will be able to "beat" a staff but OVERALL it seems that a staff beats wand/offhand.

Where Wand/Offhand combination shines is in diversity. I believe that someone will choose a wand/offhand combination if he/she wants to have the ability of adapting more easily to the environment that he is facing, while staves are more rigid in their offered characteristics.

What I would like is your input as well. What is your opinion?
What do you usually carry with you? Staff or wand/offhand.

Thank you guys

Thom Bangalter · Jan 24, 2007, 08:16 AM // 08:16

Sword/axe/spear+offhand is better, unless you're on a dom mesmer.

Why? since most classes don't really worry about the hsr 20% that a wand can provide, you get options like health +30 or enchantments +20%, as well as a constant +5 energy.

The only reason dom mesmers care is for faster diversion recharges.

Patrick Smit · Jan 24, 2007, 08:20 AM // 08:20

diversity is also well at home on a staff. U can have 20% halves recharge of all spells and 2*10% halves casting tomes of all spells on a staff. Wand and focus only allow a spell belonging to a specific attribute to be faster recharged or cast. a wand can be used with a shield if u want more defense, but then also a staff can be equiped with defensive mods, that apply all the time, not only when attacked from the front as i understood from shield mechanics.

Nowadays i prefer staves over wand+focus, unless i use a sword for targetting, in that case sword or focus is welcome.

ermns · Jan 24, 2007, 08:24 AM // 08:24

Thank you guys

Well when I was talking about staff or wand, I meant professions that really use them. It's a rare (if not non existent) sight to see a warrior with a staff.

I was referring mainly to proffesions such as necromancers, monks, elementalists, mesmers...

What would you usually use...

Thanks again

S_Serpent · Jan 24, 2007, 08:53 AM // 08:53

I used mostly staves, but recently changed to weapon and offhand, because of the interchange-ablility.

I'm speaking here for my ele: I have an reduced poison + hp crafted shield that I modded (that stacks with the reduced poison on my armor), I have 4 collectors offhands with HSR and HCT for there attribute, I made myself an +5 energy + longer enchant sword and a -5 energy +hp sword will be made soon too when I get the gold for the crafter to combine with the offhands/shields. One special offhand is also a fire artifact with reduced dazed added on it. And for Wands I like HSR + ???.

And this was all very cheap to get = mostly all are collectors items, the rest was crafted at the weaponsmiths (I don't care about the skins its the functionality I want for my char). And you can customize your stuff too, without having to think if your going to customize a pricey gold or rare skin :P
My motto is customize, customize ...

Lilith St Cyr · Jan 24, 2007, 09:23 AM // 09:23

I did this comparison on one of my eles' weapons:

SKYBRINGER.........Energy: 10.........Health: 30..........HSR: 20..........HSC: 40
AMADIS................Energy: 10.........Health: 60..........HSR: 20..........HSC: 20

WEAPONSMITH WAND............................................HS R: 20..........HSC: 20
LUSHIVAHR...........Energy: 12..........Health: 30.........HSR: 20

ss1986v2 · Jan 24, 2007, 09:27 AM // 09:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by ermns

Well when I was talking about staff or wand, I meant professions that really use them. It's a rare (if not non existent) sight to see a warrior with a staff.

I was referring mainly to proffesions such as necromancers, monks, elementalists, mesmers...

Thom wasnt referring to melee classes, but caster using single hand melee weapons. because you have ascess to mods on melee weapons (pommel, grip, ect...) as well as a permanent +5 engery, rather than the condition +5 on a wand, using a sword for example is a very good idea. all you miss out on is the HSR, which you can still have on your focus if you have to have it.

compare these three:

common staff:

* Energy +15
* [type] damage: 11-22 (req. 9 [Attribute])
* Halves skill recharge time of spells (Chance: 20%)
* Energy +5 (while health is above 50%)
* Health +30 or 20% longer enchantments

common wand/offhand:

* [Type] damage* 11-22 (Requires 9 [Attribute])
* Halves skill recharge of [Attribute] spells (Chance: 20%)
* Energy +5 (while Health is above 50%)

* Energy +12 (Requires 9 <Attribute>)
* Halves skill recharge of <Attribute> spells (Chance: 20%)
* Health +30

common sword/offhand:

* Cold Damage: 15-22 (req. 9 Swordsmanship)
* 20% longer enchantments or +30 Health
* Energy +5

* Energy +12 (Requires 9 <Attribute>)
* Halves skill recharge of <Attribute> spells (Chance: 20%)
* Health +30

i usually use a sword/off hand combo on my monk. more unconditional energy than a wand/offhand or a staff, gives 20% enchants, HSR, and + health.

SotiCoto · Jan 24, 2007, 10:52 AM // 10:52

I'm not sure if I've got this totally right.... but doesn't the average staff only give +10 energy by default.... I mean aside from extra energy functions?

riojin · Jan 24, 2007, 10:59 AM // 10:59

well for emergency energy i use +15/-1 for wand and offhand. it can come in handy.

other than that im a staff man

ss1986v2 · Jan 24, 2007, 10:59 AM // 10:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by SotiCoto

I'm not sure if I've got this totally right.... but doesn't the average staff only give +10 energy by default.... I mean aside from extra energy functions?

yes, but the one i mentioned above has a +5e mod and a +5e ^50 inscription.

Cebe · Jan 24, 2007, 11:22 AM // 11:22

Numbers aside...Staves are infintely more elegant.

I guess Wands and Focus can come in useful when you want LOADS of extra energy...if you were mad enough to use a wand and a focus both with 15/-1 on them ("Sieze the Day" inscription).

From an Elementalist point of view, anyhow, what with 70-80 energy a staff is fine since that is more than enough energy...I mean, you CAN try and get 130 energy if you want but there's no point when with good energy management my 70-80 energy pool rarely falls below 50.

Staves just look far cooler than any wand/focus ever could

SotiCoto · Jan 24, 2007, 11:31 AM // 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celestial Beaver

Staves just look far cooler than any wand/focus ever could

Platinum Staves for the win.

I need at least one of my monk heroes to have the Kaolin Protection Staff.... not least since I've already got the Kaolin Water Staff and Kaolin Domination Staff (the latter of which is quite the shiny Mesmer weapon)... ^_^ ... I kinda want the Kaolin Accursed Staff for myself, but until then I'll just stick with my Hale Evil-Eye Staff of Defence when I go A/N.

*Darcy* · Jan 24, 2007, 12:14 PM // 12:14

The benefit of wand/off-hand is the ability to use them in different combinations in your weapon sets. It is easier to get the exact combinations you like to use with the separate items than with staves,

And warrior runners on the Droks run quite often equip caster items for the larger +eng stats.

Cebe · Jan 24, 2007, 02:10 PM // 14:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by SotiCoto

Platinum Staves for the win.

I need at least one of my monk heroes to have the Kaolin Protection Staff.... not least since I've already got the Kaolin Water Staff and Kaolin Domination Staff (the latter of which is quite the shiny Mesmer weapon)... ^_^ ... I kinda want the Kaolin Accursed Staff for myself, but until then I'll just stick with my Hale Evil-Eye Staff of Defence when I go A/N.

I have the Dominatiion Staff and the Accursed Staff...I'm also hoping to complete my Kaolin Staff collection this weekend with the Water and Protection staves. They are truly stunning. One day...when I'm leet enough I would really love a Tormented Staff. That skin is amazing.

Thom Bangalter · Jan 24, 2007, 05:22 PM // 17:22

Nothing beats a +5 energy fiery dragon sword.

Lonesamurai · Jan 24, 2007, 05:37 PM // 17:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thom Bangalter

Nothing beats a +5 energy fiery dragon sword.

I know something that does...

+5 Energy Crystaline Sword

haw, pwned!

Stormlord Alex · Jan 24, 2007, 06:01 PM // 18:01

Nah, 'cuz Crystallines are ugly

Personally, I like dual 20/20 wand and artifact for elementalist... we really don't need extra energy modifiers, and dual 20/20 allows you the chance to fire off more spells faster than other combos (of course, with some kind of enchanting weapon on switch if you're one of them dual attunes types

).

Titan Chrae · Jan 24, 2007, 06:24 PM // 18:24

It's all a matter of personal preference. People who use melee weapons and offhand on casters are problaby PvP oriented where mod swapping matters more.

I like to be able to apply a little more damage pressure by wanding enemies...I wouldn't want my monk in a fight swinging a sword.

To Answer the OPs question: I'm more into PvE and I prefer staffs, in general because, they take up fewer slots in inventory, look more elegant (Banor's Sacred Branch and Zodiac Staff) and you can pretty much match any wand/offhand stats with a good Staff.

GODh · Jan 24, 2007, 07:37 PM // 19:37

For me it depends on the profession (i only play PvE):

For monk and mesmer i prefer staves that give +20 energy (10 + 5 + 5^50)... that way i miss the HCT 10 or 20%, but i dont consider that as a problem as the 10 or 20% is a chance (nothing guaranteed). Many monks skills usually cast in 1 second or faster and for mesmer we have fast casting. This really works fine for me.

For elementalist and necro i prefer wand+focus... the wand (or rod) is usually 20/20 in speed and the focus is +12 energy, +1 death or fire (20%) and +30 health. IMO with these 2 professions i must have faster casting as casttimes are often long. And the missing 3 energy compared to 20/20 staves (10 + 5) is not a problem with decent energy storage or soul reaping settings. I tried +1 death or fire (20%) staves but i felt very vunerable because i was missing the 30 extra health (for these professions i prefer the 30 health over 3 extra energy).

All my chars have at least 1 superiour rune for their profession + superiour rune of vigor... giving me 485 health (no dp).

Just my 2 € cents...

Yanman.be · Jan 24, 2007, 09:02 PM // 21:02

I run 1 staff with proper mods ( enchanting or health, depends on build ), 1 wand/offhand with 1/15, another set with 2 1/15's, and a negative set.

Jan 24, 2007, 08:15 AM // 08:15	#1
ermns Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Athens, Hellas Profession: Mo/	Staves or wands? Hello everyone :-) My question is "Staves or wands"? This is a heated discussion in my mind so I decided to ask your opinions. It seems to me that ,(all other things being equal), staves deliver overall more than the combination of wand and offhand. All other things being equal I mean that you compare similar characteristics. It seems to me that the best staff will beat the combination of a wand and an offhand. There could be maybe a couple of points in energy that a wand/offhand will be able to "beat" a staff but OVERALL it seems that a staff beats wand/offhand. Where Wand/Offhand combination shines is in diversity. I believe that someone will choose a wand/offhand combination if he/she wants to have the ability of adapting more easily to the environment that he is facing, while staves are more rigid in their offered characteristics. What I would like is your input as well. What is your opinion? What do you usually carry with you? Staff or wand/offhand. Thank you guys

Jan 24, 2007, 09:23 AM // 09:23	#6
Lilith St Cyr Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Aug 2006	I did this comparison on one of my eles' weapons: SKYBRINGER.........Energy: 10.........Health: 30..........HSR: 20..........HSC: 40 AMADIS................Energy: 10.........Health: 60..........HSR: 20..........HSC: 20 WEAPONSMITH WAND............................................HS R: 20..........HSC: 20 LUSHIVAHR...........Energy: 12..........Health: 30.........HSR: 20 Last edited by Lilith St Cyr; Jan 24, 2007 at 09:33 AM // 09:33..

Jan 24, 2007, 07:37 PM // 19:37	#19
GODh Jungle Guide Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: The Netherlands Guild: BFTW and DLRR	For me it depends on the profession (i only play PvE): For monk and mesmer i prefer staves that give +20 energy (10 + 5 + 5^50)... that way i miss the HCT 10 or 20%, but i dont consider that as a problem as the 10 or 20% is a chance (nothing guaranteed). Many monks skills usually cast in 1 second or faster and for mesmer we have fast casting. This really works fine for me. For elementalist and necro i prefer wand+focus... the wand (or rod) is usually 20/20 in speed and the focus is +12 energy, +1 death or fire (20%) and +30 health. IMO with these 2 professions i must have faster casting as casttimes are often long. And the missing 3 energy compared to 20/20 staves (10 + 5) is not a problem with decent energy storage or soul reaping settings. I tried +1 death or fire (20%) staves but i felt very vunerable because i was missing the 30 extra health (for these professions i prefer the 30 health over 3 extra energy). All my chars have at least 1 superiour rune for their profession + superiour rune of vigor... giving me 485 health (no dp). Just my 2 € cents... Last edited by GODh; Jan 24, 2007 at 07:44 PM // 19:44..

Jan 24, 2007, 08:16 AM // 08:16	#2
Thom Bangalter Grindin' Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: MO Profession: E/Mo	Sword/axe/spear+offhand is better, unless you're on a dom mesmer. Why? since most classes don't really worry about the hsr 20% that a wand can provide, you get options like health +30 or enchantments +20%, as well as a constant +5 energy. The only reason dom mesmers care is for faster diversion recharges.

Jan 24, 2007, 08:20 AM // 08:20	#3
Patrick Smit Jungle Guide Join Date: Nov 2006 Guild: NiTe	diversity is also well at home on a staff. U can have 20% halves recharge of all spells and 2*10% halves casting tomes of all spells on a staff. Wand and focus only allow a spell belonging to a specific attribute to be faster recharged or cast. a wand can be used with a shield if u want more defense, but then also a staff can be equiped with defensive mods, that apply all the time, not only when attacked from the front as i understood from shield mechanics. Nowadays i prefer staves over wand+focus, unless i use a sword for targetting, in that case sword or focus is welcome.

Jan 24, 2007, 08:24 AM // 08:24	#4
ermns Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Athens, Hellas Profession: Mo/	Thank you guys Well when I was talking about staff or wand, I meant professions that really use them. It's a rare (if not non existent) sight to see a warrior with a staff. I was referring mainly to proffesions such as necromancers, monks, elementalists, mesmers... What would you usually use... Thanks again

Jan 24, 2007, 08:53 AM // 08:53	#5
S_Serpent Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: When not at Aziure's Wizard Tower you can find my in Belgium Guild: Knigths of the Keyboard Order - KkO	I used mostly staves, but recently changed to weapon and offhand, because of the interchange-ablility. I'm speaking here for my ele: I have an reduced poison + hp crafted shield that I modded (that stacks with the reduced poison on my armor), I have 4 collectors offhands with HSR and HCT for there attribute, I made myself an +5 energy + longer enchant sword and a -5 energy +hp sword will be made soon too when I get the gold for the crafter to combine with the offhands/shields. One special offhand is also a fire artifact with reduced dazed added on it. And for Wands I like HSR + ???. And this was all very cheap to get = mostly all are collectors items, the rest was crafted at the weaponsmiths (I don't care about the skins its the functionality I want for my char). And you can customize your stuff too, without having to think if your going to customize a pricey gold or rare skin :P My motto is customize, customize ...

Jan 24, 2007, 10:52 AM // 10:52	#8
SotiCoto Banned Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Drazach Thicket Guild: Temple of Zhen Xianren [Sifu]	I'm not sure if I've got this totally right.... but doesn't the average staff only give +10 energy by default.... I mean aside from extra energy functions?

Jan 24, 2007, 10:59 AM // 10:59	#9
riojin Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: East Coast Australia Profession: A/Mo	well for emergency energy i use +15/-1 for wand and offhand. it can come in handy. other than that im a staff man

Jan 24, 2007, 11:22 AM // 11:22	#11
Cebe The 5th Celestial Boss Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Inverness, Scotland Guild: The Cult of Scaro [WHO] Profession: E/	Numbers aside...Staves are infintely more elegant. I guess Wands and Focus can come in useful when you want LOADS of extra energy...if you were mad enough to use a wand and a focus both with 15/-1 on them ("Sieze the Day" inscription). From an Elementalist point of view, anyhow, what with 70-80 energy a staff is fine since that is more than enough energy...I mean, you CAN try and get 130 energy if you want but there's no point when with good energy management my 70-80 energy pool rarely falls below 50. Staves just look far cooler than any wand/focus ever could

Jan 24, 2007, 12:14 PM // 12:14	#13
Darcy Never Too Old Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rhode Island where there are no GW contests Guild: Order of First Profession: W/R	The benefit of wand/off-hand is the ability to use them in different combinations in your weapon sets. It is easier to get the exact combinations you like to use with the separate items than with staves, And warrior runners on the Droks run quite often equip caster items for the larger +eng stats.

Jan 24, 2007, 05:22 PM // 17:22	#15
Thom Bangalter Grindin' Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: MO Profession: E/Mo	Nothing beats a +5 energy fiery dragon sword.

Jan 24, 2007, 06:01 PM // 18:01	#17
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	Nah, 'cuz Crystallines are ugly Personally, I like dual 20/20 wand and artifact for elementalist... we really don't need extra energy modifiers, and dual 20/20 allows you the chance to fire off more spells faster than other combos (of course, with some kind of enchanting weapon on switch if you're one of them dual attunes types ).

Jan 24, 2007, 06:24 PM // 18:24	#18
Titan Chrae Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Frozen Lake Guild: Illustrious Chromatic Enigmas (ICE) Profession: Mo/	It's all a matter of personal preference. People who use melee weapons and offhand on casters are problaby PvP oriented where mod swapping matters more. I like to be able to apply a little more damage pressure by wanding enemies...I wouldn't want my monk in a fight swinging a sword. To Answer the OPs question: I'm more into PvE and I prefer staffs, in general because, they take up fewer slots in inventory, look more elegant (Banor's Sacred Branch and Zodiac Staff) and you can pretty much match any wand/offhand stats with a good Staff.

Jan 24, 2007, 09:02 PM // 21:02	#20
Yanman.be Banned Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Belgium Guild: [ROSE] Profession: A/	I run 1 staff with proper mods ( enchanting or health, depends on build ), 1 wand/offhand with 1/15, another set with 2 1/15's, and a negative set.