Are staffs are inferior to wands? - Page 2 - Guild Wars Forums

Dragonne · Mar 15, 2005, 03:37 AM // 03:37

I agree that as it stands it's simply too hard to find a staff that equates to a decent wand/focus combo. I'd rather use a staff myself, but I can't find one good enough.

Maiyn · May 22, 2005, 11:29 AM // 11:29

I really think wands are superior honestly. Even without the upgrades. Why?

Well.. what is the most energy you can gain from a staff? as far as I've seen it's the same as a focus item unless you upgrade, which can be expensive to find those high bonus energy staff heads. Good luck, heh.

Secondly, wands also give energy bonus/faster cast/faster recharge.. and I really think that although you lose with the -1 energy regeneration.. it is definitely worth it to have like 95 energy. That is sick.

So definitely think that wands/focus items are better. ALSO -- PLEASE DON'T CUSTOMIZE GODLY WANDS..

Oh my god. Someone tried to sell me an insane wand that I would've paid 20k for but it was customized and I could've cried (been looking forever now) .. so please please.. don't customize good wands. the 20% is not worth it.

Shadow_Avenger · May 22, 2005, 12:01 PM // 12:01

The +en bonus's for staves and focus's are about the same.
Staffs have slightly better damage output that wands.
You get upgrade parts for staffs, extra energy, defence bonus etc which you dont with focus / wands.
A good focus will have slightly better def or energy bonus as a rule of thumb (1-2 points usually)
Both come with imrove caster speeds etc.
It is down to personal choice.

JAGeAkurei · May 22, 2005, 01:35 PM // 13:35

I use a staff, and yes insight heads are still in game hehe

Storn · May 22, 2005, 01:56 PM // 13:56

I prefer a wand/focus combo.

But right now, my El is runnign around with a staff simply because the damage is better, and the + Energy of the staff is equal or better than any focus I currently own... and I haven't found a decent wand.

I'm sure once I find a decent wand I'll switch back to wand/focus.

Xellos · May 22, 2005, 02:04 PM // 14:04

Here's a question, if you have 20% on recharge for your foci and wand, do they stack? Or do they even apply twice?

The three possible answers I think can happen are:

1) Stack: therefore 40% recharge.

2) Apply twice: Dice rolls 20%, then 20% again.

3) Apply once: Dice rolls 20%.

Depending on what the answer is, wands/foci can be considered better. I think that applying twice is still better then what a staff can give if you are not a enchantment based caster. But applying once would mean it's a joke for some casters.

Shadow_Avenger · May 22, 2005, 02:29 PM // 14:29

I very much doubt they stack, very little if anything else does.
Runes definately don't and neither do upgrades. (only one per weapon / armour)

MasterDinadan · May 22, 2005, 02:29 PM // 14:29

I use staves quite a lot actually. You get a little bit less energy than is possible with a wand+focus, but as an elementalist with energy storage, I already have plenty of energy and don't need a lot more of it. For this reason, I think staves are most commonly used by elementalists with energy storage, or maybe that's just me? It's hard to get a good staff, but if you do they are definatly more useful than a wand and focus.

HotSnack · May 22, 2005, 03:02 PM // 15:02

A staff of enchanting beats a wand/focus combo any day of the week, even if you only use one enchantment, the mod will make most enchantment last an additional 1-2 secs, which would be the same as adding a point into the required attribute.

Of course the problem that has been previously mentioned is that you can get a good wand/focus combo long before you can get a good staff. Thankfully collectors do offer staffs with good natural mods, though I have yet to find one that gives 20% increased casting speed/recharge time for Healing Prayers.

pfb · May 22, 2005, 04:03 PM // 16:03

my current staff :

dropped off a Grawl Udolyte on one of the bridges outside Ranik...for a level 6 character Me/Ne (Me uses Inspiration magic) I have yet to find a better wand/offhand combo...

/edit - did have a purple grim cesta drop as well in that area - +6 energy with a -5 energy and +4 armour bonus...very useful

Shadow_Avenger · May 22, 2005, 04:34 PM // 16:34

Thats a pretty nice staff

Khrysyl · May 22, 2005, 04:36 PM // 16:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by pfb

my current staff :

dropped off a Grawl Udolyte on one of the bridges outside Ranik...for a level 6 character Me/Ne (Me uses Inspiration magic) I have yet to find a better wand/offhand combo...

/edit - did have a purple grim cesta drop as well in that area - +6 energy with a -5 energy and +4 armour bonus...very useful

/drool
What my E/M couldn't do with that staff!

Kershent · May 22, 2005, 05:52 PM // 17:52

I use a staff only because it looks WAY cooler than a wand/focus. I had some trouble finding a decent staff, though. In the end, I found an incredible one from a collector outside of Augury Rock. I think the staff is 11-20, +10 energy, 20% chance to improve domination casting time and recharge time. I'm very happy with it, but I havn't found a staff head upgrade yet.

OrangeArrow · May 22, 2005, 06:24 PM // 18:24

most of the collecetor offers staves, wands and focuses with 20% chance of faster skill recharge and 20% chance of faster casting time for a single attribute line similar to the pvp starter items.

A good staff isnt that hard to find a great natural staff and cupgrade items to upgrade them are

Juhanah · May 22, 2005, 08:58 PM // 20:58

I think it's possible to have good wand. I use a wand and a flame artifact and i wouldnt change them for a staff unless i find something very good.

crank · May 22, 2005, 11:55 PM // 23:55

staff user

Anariel · May 23, 2005, 05:26 AM // 05:26

Where is the collector that gives these staves? ><

Trenchsoul · May 23, 2005, 05:46 AM // 05:46

Hands down, staves are the best weapon for low level caster characters. The staves that drop commonly in the last few missions and even more so in UW and Fissure have no attribute requirements. So you're able to get +10 energy and 6-10 damage (or so) as soon as you're able to access your stash.

Juhanah · May 23, 2005, 06:25 AM // 06:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by crank

staff user

hehe that's the kind of staff i'd change my wand for. I'd even change to Air magic to use it since its been a couple of day im thinking about changing to either earth or air

But the only good staves i have found so far were for N/Me ~ Me/N.(require curses and have mods for illusion magic)

Phaedrus · May 23, 2005, 09:28 AM // 09:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maiyn

I really think wands are superior honestly. Even without the upgrades. Why?

Well.. what is the most energy you can gain from a staff? as far as I've seen it's the same as a focus item unless you upgrade, which can be expensive to find those high bonus energy staff heads. Good luck, heh.

Secondly, wands also give energy bonus/faster cast/faster recharge.. and I really think that although you lose with the -1 energy regeneration.. it is definitely worth it to have like 95 energy. That is sick.

My staff is +10 +5 (net +15) energy, +19% enchantment durating, 9% chance of fast casting, 9% chance of fast skill recharge.

I have yet to find a wand or focus which can offer me all of these things without decreasing regen or being limited to one type of skill/spell.

[ ]

May 22, 2005, 04:03 PM // 16:03	#30
pfb Academy Page Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK	my current staff : dropped off a Grawl Udolyte on one of the bridges outside Ranik...for a level 6 character Me/Ne (Me uses Inspiration magic) I have yet to find a better wand/offhand combo... /edit - did have a purple grim cesta drop as well in that area - +6 energy with a -5 energy and +4 armour bonus...very useful Last edited by pfb; May 22, 2005 at 04:05 PM // 16:05..

Mar 15, 2005, 03:37 AM // 03:37	#21
Dragonne Academy Page Join Date: Jan 2005	I agree that as it stands it's simply too hard to find a staff that equates to a decent wand/focus combo. I'd rather use a staff myself, but I can't find one good enough.

May 22, 2005, 11:29 AM // 11:29	#22
Maiyn Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: May 2005 Location: Canada Guild: I Excentrix I [PuNK]	I really think wands are superior honestly. Even without the upgrades. Why? Well.. what is the most energy you can gain from a staff? as far as I've seen it's the same as a focus item unless you upgrade, which can be expensive to find those high bonus energy staff heads. Good luck, heh. Secondly, wands also give energy bonus/faster cast/faster recharge.. and I really think that although you lose with the -1 energy regeneration.. it is definitely worth it to have like 95 energy. That is sick. So definitely think that wands/focus items are better. ALSO -- PLEASE DON'T CUSTOMIZE GODLY WANDS.. Oh my god. Someone tried to sell me an insane wand that I would've paid 20k for but it was customized and I could've cried (been looking forever now) .. so please please.. don't customize good wands. the 20% is not worth it.

May 22, 2005, 12:01 PM // 12:01	#23
Shadow_Avenger Krytan Explorer Join Date: May 2005 Guild: Stolen Dreams Profession: R/Me	The +en bonus's for staves and focus's are about the same. Staffs have slightly better damage output that wands. You get upgrade parts for staffs, extra energy, defence bonus etc which you dont with focus / wands. A good focus will have slightly better def or energy bonus as a rule of thumb (1-2 points usually) Both come with imrove caster speeds etc. It is down to personal choice.

May 22, 2005, 01:35 PM // 13:35	#24
JAGeAkurei Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Dark Side of The Moon Guild: DEUS	I use a staff, and yes insight heads are still in game hehe

May 22, 2005, 01:56 PM // 13:56	#25
Storn Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: May 2005	I prefer a wand/focus combo. But right now, my El is runnign around with a staff simply because the damage is better, and the + Energy of the staff is equal or better than any focus I currently own... and I haven't found a decent wand. I'm sure once I find a decent wand I'll switch back to wand/focus.

May 22, 2005, 02:04 PM // 14:04	#26
Xellos Jungle Guide Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: No Idea	Here's a question, if you have 20% on recharge for your foci and wand, do they stack? Or do they even apply twice? The three possible answers I think can happen are: 1) Stack: therefore 40% recharge. 2) Apply twice: Dice rolls 20%, then 20% again. 3) Apply once: Dice rolls 20%. Depending on what the answer is, wands/foci can be considered better. I think that applying twice is still better then what a staff can give if you are not a enchantment based caster. But applying once would mean it's a joke for some casters.

May 22, 2005, 02:29 PM // 14:29	#27
Shadow_Avenger Krytan Explorer Join Date: May 2005 Guild: Stolen Dreams Profession: R/Me	I very much doubt they stack, very little if anything else does. Runes definately don't and neither do upgrades. (only one per weapon / armour)

May 22, 2005, 02:29 PM // 14:29	#28
MasterDinadan Krytan Explorer Join Date: May 2005 Guild: The Zaishen Force Profession: Me/E	I use staves quite a lot actually. You get a little bit less energy than is possible with a wand+focus, but as an elementalist with energy storage, I already have plenty of energy and don't need a lot more of it. For this reason, I think staves are most commonly used by elementalists with energy storage, or maybe that's just me? It's hard to get a good staff, but if you do they are definatly more useful than a wand and focus.

May 22, 2005, 03:02 PM // 15:02	#29
HotSnack Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Feb 2005	A staff of enchanting beats a wand/focus combo any day of the week, even if you only use one enchantment, the mod will make most enchantment last an additional 1-2 secs, which would be the same as adding a point into the required attribute. Of course the problem that has been previously mentioned is that you can get a good wand/focus combo long before you can get a good staff. Thankfully collectors do offer staffs with good natural mods, though I have yet to find one that gives 20% increased casting speed/recharge time for Healing Prayers.

May 22, 2005, 04:34 PM // 16:34	#31
Shadow_Avenger Krytan Explorer Join Date: May 2005 Guild: Stolen Dreams Profession: R/Me	Thats a pretty nice staff

May 22, 2005, 05:52 PM // 17:52	#33
Kershent Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Apr 2005	I use a staff only because it looks WAY cooler than a wand/focus. I had some trouble finding a decent staff, though. In the end, I found an incredible one from a collector outside of Augury Rock. I think the staff is 11-20, +10 energy, 20% chance to improve domination casting time and recharge time. I'm very happy with it, but I havn't found a staff head upgrade yet.

May 22, 2005, 06:24 PM // 18:24	#34
OrangeArrow Flame Bait Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mass Profession: Mo/Me	most of the collecetor offers staves, wands and focuses with 20% chance of faster skill recharge and 20% chance of faster casting time for a single attribute line similar to the pvp starter items. A good staff isnt that hard to find a great natural staff and cupgrade items to upgrade them are

May 22, 2005, 08:58 PM // 20:58	#35
Juhanah Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: in my house	I think it's possible to have good wand. I use a wand and a flame artifact and i wouldnt change them for a staff unless i find something very good.

May 22, 2005, 11:55 PM // 23:55	#36
crank Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: May 2005	staff user

May 23, 2005, 05:26 AM // 05:26	#37
Anariel Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chicago Guild: Left For Dead Profession: Mo/E	Where is the collector that gives these staves? ><

May 23, 2005, 05:46 AM // 05:46	#38
Trenchsoul Ascalonian Squire Join Date: May 2005 Location: Join Nubcaek Stallion, now. Guild: Nubcaek Stallion Profession: W/Mo	Hands down, staves are the best weapon for low level caster characters. The staves that drop commonly in the last few missions and even more so in UW and Fissure have no attribute requirements. So you're able to get +10 energy and 6-10 damage (or so) as soon as you're able to access your stash.